Friday, May 21, 2004

Day at the Bay Promises Full Day of Family Fun

Whether you look to the water, land or sky, on Sunday, June 13 you'll find plenty of activity at Atlantic County's "Day at the Bay" festival from 8 AM to 8 PM at Kennedy Park in Somers Point.

"The event will feature entertainment for the entire family," explained Chairman Gregory Gregory, "beginning with the high school crew races, followed by air show activities and live entertainment. And in between there will be fly fishing expositions, eco tours, kite surfing, wind surfing, pony rides, face painters, jugglers and lots of food and exhibits."

"We want everyone to come out and enjoy some of the wonderful things Atlantic County has to offer as part of our Super Festival weekend," said County Executive Dennis Levinson. "We are fortunate to have three quality events that provide ample opportunities to spend time with family and friends."

The Greek Festival jump starts the weekend on Thursday evening, June 10 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church in Egg Harbor Township and continues through Sunday, June 13. On Saturday and Sunday, June 12 and 13, the Seafood Festival returns to Gardner's Basin in Atlantic City. And the weekend concludes on Sunday at the Day at the Bay.

Grammy nominee Marcia Ball, the "Bayou Queen of the Piano," will headline the Day at the Bay festival's live entertainment. The singer/pianist has earned a loyal following with her deeply emotional brand of southern boogie, rollicking roadhouse blues and heartfelt ballads. Her current CD, "So Many Rivers," was recently selected as Contemporary Blues Album of the Year at the 25th annual W.C. Handy Blues Awards and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the same category.

David Schultz Airshows LLC will provide the aerial entertainment featuring flybys and exhibits from the New Jersey Air National Guard, United States Navy, United States Coast Guard, and United States Air Force throughout the day.

Participants can see some of the best high school crews in the area and the nation as nine local high schools compete for bragging rights and the opportunity to take home the Miss America Cup (girls winner) and the Richard Somers Cup (boys winner). Crews from Holy Spirit, Mainland, St. Augustine, Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Absegami, Ocean City, Oakcrest, and Vineland will participate in races beginning at 8 AM.

In addition, awards will be presented to the winners of the master lifeguard races, featuring Atlantic County beach patrols, and kayak races that are scheduled from 11 AM to 1:30 PM. The "Duke of Fluke" will provide eco tours throughout the day beginning at 10:15 AM. Fly fishing expositions are scheduled for 12 noon, 3 PM and 6 PM. Musical performances will begin at noon, the same time at which the Bud Lite beer garden will open. Wind surfers, catamarans and kite surfers will take to the water after 2 PM. Musician Ball will begin her first of two, 50-minute sets at 5:30 PM.

To add to the festivities, live radio broadcasts will be provided by Lite Rock 96.9, Cat Country 107.3 and the Mixx 97.3 radio stations.

Free shuttle service will be provided from several nearby parking lots, including the Pearl Restaurant, Mac's Restaurant, Gregory's Restaurant, the Point 4 Theatre, and Jordan Road and Dawes Avenue schools.

Volunteers are still needed for 3-4 hour shifts. If you would like to offer your assistance, please call 343-2162.
"This is another great way to show our Atlantic County pride," concluded Levinson. "I thank Greg Gregory and his committee for their efforts as well as our many sponsors and volunteers. It's gratifying to see so many people come together. I hope to see even more on June 13."

For more information and a complete schedule of events, please visit the Day at the Bay web page at (page no longer available).

Click here for more information and complete schedule of events.

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