TOMS RIVER – Summer in the Streets returned to Washington Street after a one-year hiatus – like many of Toms River’s special events, it wasn’t held last year because of the pandemic.
The fair, one of the three street festivals the Downtown Toms River Business Improvement District (BID) hosts every year, drew a notable crowd, over 60 vendors and three live performances.
Local businesses were given a chance to remind residents of their presence in the community and attendees were able to patronize them for the afternoon.
“I’m very happy I came,” Karen Klaiber, a Toms River resident, said of her first time attending the annual event. Notably, Klaiber won a T-shirt from a vendor.
Vendors like food trucks and restaurants sold an array of food and drinks, while others offered products, services and more. Children were able to enjoy activities like carnival rides and adults were able to enjoy activities like axe-throwing.
“We’re just happy to be able to have an event like this again,” said Kim Dippolito, a Toms River resident and the marketing director at the Downtown Toms River BID. She noted that the event helps local commerce and the community.
Aside from giving local businesses an opportunity to gain exposure, the event offers “a little bit of summer” to residents, who can enjoy summer treats like lemonade and ice cream, she said.
“It’s good to see people out and about,” Chief Chris Vicidomini of Toms River Volunteer Fire Company 1 said. The fire company fundraised by selling food, beer and wine.
The event featured a performance by students of The Music Academy of Toms River, two performances by Jersey Shore-based band Katfish Lucy and one performance by band New Power Soul.
“It’s just nice to be out in the open air,” Bill Yankowski, a Bayville resident, said upon strolling the street.
In 2015, Summer in the Streets replaced the New Jersey State Ice Cream Festival, transitioning the mid-July festival into a street festival-style event boasting dozens of vendors offering ample variety to attendees’ experiences.
The Downtown Toms River BID will hold numerous events in the near future. They will continue to hold Downtown Night Out, an outdoor dining experience on Washington Street, every Friday and Saturday evening until October 29. On August 11, they will co-host Cruisin’ Downtown Toms River with The Vintage Auto Club of Ocean County from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Their upcoming street festivals include the Chili and Comfort Food Festival on September 18 from noon to 6 p.m. on Washington Street and the Harvest Arts Festival on October 16 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Washington Street.
To learn more about the Downtown Toms River BID, visit downtowntomsriver.com or call 732-341-8738.
