Toms River 'Food Fest' Set for Saturday

Toms River's annual Food Fest event is set for Saturday.

The event will be held in downtown Toms River on Washington Street, between Main Street and Hooper Avenue from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., organizers said.

Festival-goers will be able to sample a variety of specialty food items and try new restaurants, bistros and snack bars. Food Fest patrons can expect a variety of food from JT’s Drive-in, the new Brooklyn Bistro, Max’s Hot Dogs, Cure’s BBQ, Sausage & Peppers and Japanese teriyaki as well as traditional fare such as hamburgers, hot dogs and pizza. For dessert, attendees can sample many snack varieties such as funnel cake, Italian ice, Fried Oreos and ice cream.

For kids, there will be free, large inflatable rides to jump on, a swing ride that will allow parents to ride with their children and a rock climbing wall, all from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. There will also be free face painting and a balloon artist.

All children’s rides are sponsored by Pine Belt Automotive, organizers said.

The event will also feature DJ’s from Thunder 106.3, 107.1 FM and B98.5 who will be Emcees on the stage throughout the day. They will have prizes and giveaways at their booth.

Toms River Fire Company No. 1 will be sponsoring a Beer and Wine Garden for the adults.

Live entertainment will include:

• 11:00- Opening Ceremonies with Shamrock & Thistle Pipes & Drums
• 11:30-1:30 pm- Shorty Long & the Jersey Horns, the World’s #1 Party Band playing everything from Bob Marley and Billy Idol, to Jimmy Buffett and Tom Petty
• 2:00-3:30 pm- Trax- A great mix of dance, rock, oldies & Top 40 (Adele, Fleetwood Mac, Dion, The Four Tops)
• 4:00-5:30- Sneekbox- A local rock band playing your favorite hits
• 6:00-8:00- InCognito –Their mix of talent can play music from the 80’s & 90’s from Rock to Reggae (Lady Gaga, No Doubt, Bob Marley, Billy Joel)

Visitors are encouraged to utilize the public parking lots in the downtown area at no charge on Saturday. Parking is available at:

•  The Ocean County Parking Garage at the County Complex, Hooper Ave.
• Municipal Parking Lot A (Irons Street behind bank)
• Municipal Parking Lot C   (Water Street)
• Municipal Parking Lot D (Robbins and Water Street)
• Municipal Parking Lot E & H (west Water and Irons Street, across from Post Office)       
• The Parking Garage behind Town Hall