Toms River Food Fest Saturday

TOMS RIVER, NJ — If the warm temperatures of the last couple of days have gotten you excited for festivals and fun, well, mark your calendar, because one of Toms River's favorites will be here soon: The Toms River Food Fest.

The annual street festival of food trucks is scheduled for Saturday, May 5, from 11 s.m. to 8 p.m. on Washington Street downtown. The rain date is Sunday, May 6.

Enjoy a fun-filled day in Toms River with a variety of gourmet food trucks, arts and crafts and vendor booths, children’s rides and live entertainment from four great bands. Sample barbecue, seafood, empanadas, gyros, seafood, and finish up with funnel cake, ice cream and cupcakes.

In addition to the food, there will be businesses and vendors with merchandise for sale, kid-friendly rides and face-painting. The children’s rides are free and are sponsored by Pine Belt Automotive. The event will also feature DJs from Greater Media, 100.1 WJRZ and 95.9 WRAT, who will be emcees on the stage throughout the day. They will have prizes and giveaways at their booth.

"Toms River Food Fest offers something for everyone; live music, gourmet food from great food trucks, free kids rides and shopping," Recreation Director Jared Tate said. "The event grows bigger every year. We are hoping for nice weather and a great turnout."

For those 21 and over, there is the beer and wine garden, sponsored by Toms River Fire Company 1.

"As we want to provide a fun, safe, family friendly environment, we will not permit pets into the festival grounds," officials said. "Pursuant to NJAC 8:24, live animals shall not be permitted on the premises of a retail food establishment. Properly authorized service animals are allowed."

The event is free and draws nearly 25,000 people to Toms River each year.

"I’m looking forward to sampling some delicious dishes and enjoying the entertainment," Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher said.

The band lineup is as follows:

• 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Shorty Long and the Jersey Horns
• 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Strictly 60’s
• 4 p.m.-5:30 p.m.: Jobonanno and the Godsons of Soul
• 6 p.m.-8 p.m.: Fish Eyed Blues

Parking is free behind the Municipal Building or at the Ocean County parking garage, located at 129 Hooper Avenue, about 1 ½ blocks. Free parking is also available on lot at West Water and Irons Streets.

Photo by Karen Wall, Patch staff