Long Branch will rock with its 17th annual Oceanfest July 4 celebration

Oceanfest 2007, the city's annual Independence Day celebration, will rock the oceanfront Promenade on Wednesday, July 4, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine. Co-hosted by the City of Long Branch and the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce, the event is highlighted by the Jersey Shore's biggest fireworks display at 9:30 p.m.

The Fourth of July tradition, marking its 17th year, is a free, family-friendly celebration. The festivities, which take place along a half-mile stretch of the oceanfront Promenade between Seven Presidents Park and the Ocean Place Resort & Spa, attracts young and old alike, residents and visitors from far and wide.

Beach activities include master sandsculpting exhibits that can be viewed from the Promenade where circus-like performers, magicians and a safari show will fascinate the children; live music of every genre from Latin/Cuban and island rhythms to swing and jazz beats; and food vendors serving up every kind of ethnic food. Additionally, festival-goers can choose to play 3-on-3 basketball, while children are entertained with games, face painters and balloon artists. The fun-filled day is a lively prelude to the evening's spectacular fireworks finale.

Oceanfest is supported and sponsored by the City of Long Branch, Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce, Ocean Place Resort & Spa, Monmouth Medical Center, Kraft Foods, FirstEnergy (JCP&L), HealthSouth of Tinton Falls, Greater Media Newspapers (Atlanticville), Monmouth Park, Monmouth University, New Jersey Monthly, New Jersey Transit, PetsMart, and radio

stations 94.3 The Point, WJLK-FM and WADB-AM.

For more information on Oceanfest, contact the Greater Long Branch Chamber of Commerce at (732) 222-0400 or Allen Consulting at (732) 946-2711.