Ideal Weather for Belmar Fall Fest

A picture perfect day was the setting for the annual Belmar Fall Festival sponsored by the on Sunday.

Temperatures in the 80s were ideal for the free event which drew hundreds to the venue for the fair, which spanned from Eighth to 10th Avenues along Main Street.

“We invite you to experience downtown Belmar on a beautiful fall day. This year’s event has over 45 vendors of all kinds, and there will be live music as well,” said Brenda Yarnold of the Chamber. “This is definitely a family friendly event everyone will be sure to enjoy. With plenty of Belmar restaurants to choose from, you certainly won’t go hungry.”

There were dozens of vendors, offering items such as jewelry, hats, clothing, candles, baked goods, and candy. Here and there were political booths set up by all parties.

“We’re having fun. We bought taffy; we got beach balls from the Belmar Democrats,” said Darleen Havens, Belmar.

Not just taffy, but cotton candy, hot pretzels and other “kid-friendly” food items were offered.

Meghan Mahoney, Belmar, pulled her son, Jameson, down Main Street in his enormous wagon.

“We come every year – this is my third.  We come, and walk around and eat,” said Mahoney.

By early afternoon, the streets were filling up with hundreds of festival-goers, such as Donna Falk, and her group of three friends who stopped alongside a vendor on 10th Avenue.

“It’s a beautiful day – we’re having so much fun. We’re loving the fall festival,” said Falk.

Not just vendors, but children’s activities such as sand art and spin art were featured at Belmar Fall Festival. Families didn’t have far to walk to the event, as ample parking was available in the Pyanoe Plaza parking lot off Route 35. Singles, families, juniors, seniors, dogs – yes, lots of dogs – were all in attendance, enjoying the vendor items and free music.

The Werkmeisters of Point Pleasant – who are also members of , Belmar – came to the festival, accompanied by their mixed-breed, Tim.

“It’s a beautiful day. I think it’s wonderful. I said to my wife, ‘Let’s go downtown and wander around,’” said Bob Werkmeister.

Wandering around, but with one goal in mind, was Karen Johnson, also Point Pleasant.

“We came from Point Pleasant. We heard about it from a vendor at a Point Pleasant fair. We’re looking for ‘Peace’ shirts,” said Johnson.

Belmar Park No. 40 Cub Scouts also got involved in the action at the festival, and set up tables were Troop members sold popcorn as part of their fundraising effort.

Not forgetting the grown-ups, there were also “staples” offered at various restaurants along the sidewalks. on 10th Avenue took advantage of its sidewalk seating area and set up tables loaded with crocks of lobster bisque, as well as a raw bar.

As the afternoon wore on, festival-goers strolled the streets, stopped for grub, and enjoyed the perfect weather at yet another Belmar Fall Festival.