Goodwill Hose delivers explosive fireworks show

In grand Belmar tradition, the Goodwill Hose Fire Company put on a dazzling fireworks show at the conclusion of the Kids Races and Fitness Walk last Friday night, the first cloudless Friday evening since May.  Even those who got a little too close to the action and were rained on by burned out embers (or in the Taylor Pavilion’s case– live embers!) have to admit that the show was spectacular.

For more photos of Belmar by the very talented Stephen Lacko, including a handful from race weekend, visit his gallery at Belmar.com.  To share your own photos with Belmar.com visitors, upload them to the Community Photos section.

If you missed the show, these videos can give you a taste of the exhibition:

Credit to keyman55514

23rd Annual NJ Sandcastle Contest TODAY at 18th Avenue Beach

The annual mark of mid-summer, the NJ Sandcastle Contest, will be held tomorrow, July 15th at 18th Avenue Beach.  FREE registration starts bright and early at 8am and participants can sculpt their castles to perfection until judging begins at noon.  2008’s competition attracted 8,000 spectators to Belmar’s beach, which gives organizers the right to claim that this is the biggest sand-sculpting contest in the state.

Past attendees know that the talented competitors won’t limit themselves to regal moats and turrets, but will tackle more challenging and inventive designs; last year’s  “Best of the Beach” winner was titled “Johnny Lobster,” and illustrated a massive lobster falling in love with an equally oversize crab.

Check back tomorrow for a play-by-pay, pictures and video!

Details:

Participation is free to all ages.

There will be three prizes awarded in each of the six categories: ages 7 and under, 8 to 11, 12 to 15, 16 and up, Family, and Day Camps.   Only one sculpture will be crowned “Best on the Beach”.

As always, there will be giveaways, drinks, snacks, music and more for spectators and competitors.

See the NJ Sand Castle Contest website for more information, including past winners and media coverage.

Beach Buddies

The Borough of Belmar is pleased to announce a FREE pilot program called “Beach Buddies” due to begin Wednesday, July 22, 2009.  The pilot program will run for three weeks (July 22nd, July 29^th and August 5^th) from 4-5:30 p.m. at Taylor Pavilion. Using the natural resources in our area the program will provide children ages 3-6 with a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Delay (PDD) and Autism an opportunity for sensory exploration and socialization. As the children are involved in activities the parents will be given an opportunity to network with each other. 

Many children diagnosed with PDD and autism have great difficulty integrating sounds, movements and visual stimuli. This can present real challenges for families that want to enjoy simple activities like a day at the beach. Children with autism/PDD can easily become over stimulated by the feel of the sand or the sound of the waves or the movement of the water.  The goal of the Beach Buddies Program is to use one to one peer and teacher models to expose children to a variety of sensory activities that will familiarize and desensitize them to some of the stimulation of the beach environment. As the children are playing and working, the parents will have an opportunity to talk with each other and to share strategies. It is the hope of the program that this networking will foster opportunities for families facing challenges to reach out to each other. 

For more information please contact Kathy Rogers at 732-642-9555 or Mike Campbell at 732-681-3700 Ext 211 or recreation@belmar.com . Registration will be required and the class will have a maximum of six children.

Belmar Historical Council Meeting

Meetings held at Belmar Public Library Media Room located at 517 10th Avenue.

Event Date(s) and Time(s):

June 16, 2009 7:00 pm July 14, 2009 7:00 pm August 11, 2009 7:00 pm September 8, 2009 7:00 pm October 13, 2009 7:00 pm November 10, 2009 7:00 pm December 8, 2009 7:00 pm

Recent Posts on Belmar.com

• Celtic Chase – March 6, 2010
• Jersey Shore Juried Art Show
• Happy early St. Patrick’s Day
• Belmar’s mayor to step down
• Belmar Elementary School continues centennial celebration