BRICK – All systems are Go for SummerFest 2021 after last year’s concert series was cancelled due to the COVID-19 public health crisis.
The bands have been booked, a food court and beer and wine garden will be in place, and all four concerts, to be held at Windward Beach Park, will be capped off by fireworks.
Everything was also in place for last year’s SummerFest, and the concert series was moved from July to August in hopes that restrictions on outside gatherings would be eased by the end of July, but they were not. For the first time since 1994, the stage remained dark while public parks closed.
“We are thrilled that SummerFest will be returning to Windward Beach Park this July,” said Mayor John G. Ducey. “While we were disappointed that last year’s series was cancelled, we all know it was the right thing in light of the crisis we were in.”
The 2021 July concert series will kick off on July 1 with a band that is new to SummerFest: Super Trans Am, who plays hits from the 1970s by such artists as the Eagles, the Doobie Brothers, Journey, and more.
The concert on July 8 will feature the Amish Outlaws, a SummerFest crowd favorite over the years, who perform an eclectic mix of high-energy music.
On July 15, The Nerds return. Called “America’s Rock & Roll Fun-omenon,” the band has been together since 1985. They play well-known cover songs and perform all over North America.
And for the final concert on July 22, two sets will be featured, one with the best hits of the 80s and one with the best hits of the 90s.
The shows start at 7 p.m. and a complimentary shuttle bus will be available for each concert. Shuttle buses to Windward Beach Park will run from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. from both high schools, Drum Point Elementary School and Veterans Memorial Middle School.
Return trips from the park begin at 9 p.m. and continue until all concert-goers are returned to the pick-up locations.
There is more music on Wednesday nights in August when the venue changes to two of the township’s waterfront parks for the Concerts by the Bay series.
The first concert will be held on August 4 at Bayside Park on the barrier island with a doubleheader featuring NGXB and the Basso Brothers. This concert will start at 6 p.m.
The next three Wednesday night concerts will be held at Traders Cove Marina & Park and start at 7 p.m. The August 11 concert will feature Alotta Colada. Juke Box Review will play on August 18, and Funktion Band is scheduled for August 25.
Rain dates for any of the postponed Concerts by the Bay shows will be held the following evening. Bring your own chairs, blankets and coolers.
Other family-friendly events planned for the summer include a SummerFest Car Show at Windward Beach Park, hosted by the Time Capsule Cruisers on August 5 at 6 p.m.
