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Arts & Entertainment

Streets Come Alive For 'Squan Fine Arts & Music Festival

Free event sponsored by Manasquan Chamber of Commerce featured local musicians and artisans

The streets of Manasquan on Saturday were even a bit more exciting than usual for a summer night in town as locals and tourists alike turned out for the Manasquan Fine Arts & Music Festival.

Sponsored by Manasquan Chamber of Commerce, the festival featured live music, and approximately 35 artists conveniently placed in front of Manasquan’s unique shops and restaurants along South, Main and Broad Streets, as well as Pearce and Parker Avenues.

Hundreds strolled the sidewalks where they could view artists creating in various media, or visit exhibits of photography, pottery, driftwood art, wall clocks and jewelry. 

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According to Laura Gilardini, executive director of Manasquan Chamber of Commerce, this is the first time the chamber has sponsored the festival in a few years, and she noted participants were mostly local.

“It was very well attended; there were very many people in town,” she stated.  “The artists and musicians were very satisfied with the turnout, and so were the merchants in town.”

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Those in attendance were also entertained with melodious and sometimes rousing music by more than 10 musical groups or individual musicians.

Manasquan Lighting on Main Street had the rock band Devil’s Holiday stationed out front, playing for the passersby.

“It was a nice night.  It was a good crowd in town – very well-attended,” said store manager Ray Summers. “It got a lot of people into Manasquan.  It’s nice to have events that get people in town that might not ever have known about Manasquan before.”

Most businesses had special promotions during the festival, and a number of them extended their hours well into the evening. 

Gretchen Steger, an employee of Quinnderella’s Toys on Main Street, said the large festival turnout drummed up way more business than a typical Saturday would have.

“A lot of people that were in town for dinner didn’t know the festival was going on, and came into the store. It definitely helped business,” Steger said. “It was a lot of fun, a lot of family fun.  We had face painting here at the store, and there was a photographer next door, and a piano player a few doors down.”

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