SOMERS POINT — The Somers Point Police Department, Department of Public Works and a small team of volunteers and city officials have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure the city’s biggest party runs smoothly.
Bayfest, the city’s popular street fair, returns for its 37th anniversary April 25 along historic Bay Avenue.
Much of the event, which started in 1989 to coincide with Earth Day and celebrate the city’s maritime heritage, is much the same year to year — that’s why people keeping flocking to the event each spring.
It brings tens of thousands of people to the city to enjoy food and craft vendors, children’s activities and information tables set up by nonprofit organizations.
Police Chief Robert Somers said it takes months of planning to ensure the public’s safety during the event.
“All hands are on deck, everybody works,” he said, noting the department must deal with 25,000 people gathering along the half-mile stretch of bayfront.
Booths line both sides of the street between Pleasant and Annie avenues along Great Egg Harbor Bay, where the crowd can enjoy shopping, dining, live music and other activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Steve Hornig, chairman of the Bayfest Committee and superintendent of Public Works, said the group begins meeting monthly in September to organize the next year’s event, then meets bi-weekly through March and weekly through April to get all of the work done in time.
After the planning, the department launches into action on the day of the event.
“We start at 7 a.m and go to 7 p.m., set up and break down,” Hornig said, noting almost everyone in the department is on scene at some point, “collecting trash and recycling, keeping things nice and tidy while everyone is having a good time.”
“It’s a long day but they do a phenomenal job to keep the place nice,” Hornig said.
While the event once was soaked in suds, with multiple venues hosting beer gardens resulting in a rowdy crowd, it has mellowed with age and now is a family-friendly event.
Hornig said there will be 80 craft vendors, 60 food vendors, 15 nonprofit organizations and three live bands, along with a growing number of children’s activities.
There will be face painting, sand art and pony rides, as well as raffle prizes including gift certificates from local restaurants and two bicycles.
Hornig said more bounce houses have been added to the activities at William Morrow Beach, compliments of the Anchorage Tavern across the street.
Starting last year, security was beefed up to prevent cars from entering the festival.
The city will be erecting multiple barricades to prevent automobiles from entering the pedestrian area. Paul Clark Drive and Decatur, Gibbs and Higbee avenues will be blocked at Bay Avenue.
“A lot of measures are being taken so that area is not able to be breached,” Somers said. “We also reach out to our law enforcement partners to bring in bomb dogs and sweeps are made.”
Free parking is available at Volunteer Fire Company #1 on Bethel Road, Dawes Avenue School and Jordan Road School, with shuttles running a loop from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The shuttles are handicapped-accessible.
Along with Hornig, the committee consists of Mayor Dennis Tapp, Councilman Sean McGuigan, Emerald Hornig, Brianna McNair, Devon Osler and Lisa King. In addition, about 15 volunteers help direct vendors to their spots and “get the party up and running.”
Hornig said vendor fees and profit from apparel sales support the following year’s event, paying for such things as port-a-potties, electric carts, entertainment and giveaways. Any money that’s left over is donated to different local organizations.
Hornig said all of the hard work from multiple departments is worth it.
“We’re like 10 blocks, a half-mile long festival with live music, a family-friendly atmosphere and a beautiful day next to the bay. The sun always comes out for us, the rain holds off and we have a great time,” Hornig said.
– By CRAIG D. SCHENCK/Sentinel staff
