Spring Fling, May 14, 2016. Neptune township closed a large part of Main Avenue. Blogfinger photo. (May 6, 2023 for this year’s “Spring Fling”) Who needs it?
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger 2016. Read the many comments; click below.
Saturday, May 14, 2016. Today at 10:30 am I returned from the bank and found the town to be overrun with a large crowd of tourists who were here for a “Spring Fling” sponsored by the OG Chamber of Commercials. (CC). Parking was very difficult. Main Avenue was closed along the entire commercial district and down near the beach. Pilgrim Pathway was clogged shut, and a loud rock band was shaking the rafters.
Who exactly benefits from this “Spring Fling?” Of course the CC does, and so do the many vendors who have set up booths, almost all of them from out of town. The tourists love it, while the locals ignore it and groan.
Pilgrim Pathway closed for the “Spring Fling”. Should we be Seaside Heights or Rhinebeck? Blogfinger photo. May 2016.
This is not the only such happening. How about the Chamber’s Spring Giant Flea Market which will involve nearly 300 vendors on June 4?
Then there is the British car fling, the vintage car fling, the giant fall flea fling market and the fall autumn fling festival—– all town clogging flinging events produced by the CC.
And don’t forget the large gatherings sponsored by the Camp Meeting Association, including their giant craft show in mid June.
How much of this sort of crowded tourist event is good for the town? How much flinging is enough? When does the Chamber, the CMA, and the Township start to think about nurturing this town, its history, its culture, and its residents? It seems like OG is merely a stage-set for those who want to commercialize it.
People say that the parking issues are only during July and August, but this town has congested events of this sort for 6 months of the year, hardly a trivial amount of time. We need relief for resident parking.
We are a lovely artistic and historic town, and it is wonderful to have events outdoors here, but how about small themed programs that improve the quality of life of those who actually live in Ocean Grove.
I’m thinking chamber music, art shows, collectors events, film festivals, historic reenactments, food truck nights, yard sales, farmers markets, plays in the parks, poetry readings, focused literary festivals, etc.
Two summers ago (2014) we had an Illumination Night for the townspeople. It was a beautiful small historic event with overtones of OG’s past. It was held by Auditorium Park adjacent to the bookstore—sponsored by the CMA.
Lights were twinkling, kids were skateboarding and biking, a guitarist played, and the rest of us chatted and had refreshments. We need more of that, but without the religious component.
Illumination Night near the Great Auditorium. August 20, 2014. Paul Goldfinger photo.
What exactly does the Chamber do for the Grove itself? When was the last time they spoke out regarding OG issues such as historic preservation, land use controversies, or parking? How about elevating the cultural experiences here instead of just promoting commercialism?
Why should we who live here be thrilled with the Chamber’s “flings?” Do they care about the tranquility, spirit, quality of life and comfort of Ocean Grove’s citizens? Do they care about the future of this town?
They want our business, but what do they do in exchange besides show up. And as for the town, this is just another example of Neptune Township ignoring the tax paying “townies” in favor of other interests.
So, if OG continues on a path where there are takers but few givers, then it will decline into something less. Too pessimistic? If we want to be unique instead of similar to other shore towns, then committed citizens need to pay attention.
Editor’s note 2022: This topic is about the life of our town…what is it and what should it be? Ocean Grove needs to define itself because helter- skelter will be its ruin.
If you read the comments for this post from 2016 you can see that we were all over the map in trying to understand the Grove. There needs to be a movement —-a community of residents .
That community is the single most important group in town and they should organize to keep OG from being weighed down by too much too much too much: commercialism, tourist crowds, religious dominance, zoning abuses, Neptune neglect, cultural deficiencies, and mindless wheel spinning giant events. Let’s balance the scale with more positives and less negatives.
And speaking of balancing the scale, in April 2023 we asked Neptune Township to help we-the-people publicize our Town-Wide Yard Sale. They have formally refused—5/1/23.
This sort of advertising help is provided to others by the Neptuners via an employee named A. Curtis. You may have found her in your inbox promoting the Chamber, Monmouth County, free trees, Senior Center events, garbage pickup,USA Sports, World Changers, NJ Internships ,Easter egg hunt, 5K run, Neptune golfers event, May Spring Fling, and 8 other Chamber events, but she would not agree to help us with advertising our people’s Yard Sale.
These are the Chamber events promoted by Neptune Township through a special “partnership.” Why won’t the Neptuners form a partnership with we-the-people? How is the money spread around?
And undoubtedly Ms. Curtis won’t help promote another citizen sponsored event: Art on the Porch, coming on June 10. This promises to be the most amazing arts event in OG history, organized by OG residents, and the Township won’t help.
Attention Neptune United: The Township tax payers could not get help from the Township for promoting our people’s yard sale. This is taxation without representation and is unfairness toward the citizens of Ocean Grove, refusing to help them while spending taxpayer money to publicize the Chamber.
And the CC consists not only of Grovers, but has some members from elsewhere. They are the” Ocean Grove Area CC” and they are a private group whereas we are citizens of Neptune Township, and our governance should favor our citizens over profiteering outsiders.
What the hey?
NEKO CASE with the Nighthawks in Boardwalk Empire
If you like giant events shows, why not have Neptune Township provide a football field or another similar sort of venue for these events. Why do they have to be held in a residential area such as the town of Ocean Grove? This is exploitation of the people who make their homes there.
When Deb Cuddhy brought back Illumination Night in 2014, she was working at the Hub for the CMA not the Chamber. She encouraged lights on houses, and some homeowners did just that. I found no reference to a contribution by the Chamber when Blogfinger wrote about the modern history of the event in 2016. Here is a link with a photo gallery:
https://wp.me/pqmj2-vtl
The Chamber of Commercials do very little to improve the life styles of Grover residents. Their events are all about promoting businesses in town and/or making money. Where does that money go?—Paul
Wesley Lake was the site of elaborate events.
“The houses on both sides of the lake were brilliant with illumination. Many of them also burned different colored lights. The bridges were trimmed with rows of electric lights—red, white, and blue… There were upwards of sixty boats in line. Lambiase’s beach band occupied a longboat near the center of the line and discoursed music while the brilliant procession moved up and down the lake.
On the south bank of the lake in Thomson Park, the Ocean Grove Auditorium Choir occupied a big stand, and sang a number of popular pieces.”
A young woman from West Grove was placed on a stand in the center of the lake as the “Goddess of Liberty” while holding a gas illuminated star.—OGT 19 Aug. 1899
In 1904, the many paper decorations on one boat caught fire to the general distress. There were also evening winter festivals with a reported 1,000 skaters and many more spectators. Fletcher Lake also had events of a lesser scale.
However, the general practice of illumination of houses did not seem to take place in the town until the Historical Society sponsored what it called the first Illumination Night on 7 Aug. 2014.
David: This is from a BF post regarding Illumination Night: “There is a tradition of illumination nights that has occurred in at least two camp meeting grounds: Oak Bluffs (Martha’s Vineyard) and Ocean Grove. The former has continued for over a century while the latter is now being brought back into town by Deb Cuddhy.
“The old Ocean Grove version was nautical based in the late 19th century (Wesley Lake) until it got washed out in the 1920’s. Now we have the Ocean Grove version of Festivus for the Restivus which is land based at The Hub, with the headquarters conveniently located across the park from Days Ice Cream Garden.)”
I have a photo of a 19th century Illum. Night where many boats are on Wesley Lake and big crowds on the shore, but I will have to retrieve it when I return to check the exact date.
What do you mean by “never had an Illumination Night until recent years” What year was that? —Paul ps Thank you for your historical contributions to Blogfinger. I guess you know that the CMA does not have its own historian.
Ocean Grove never had an Illumination Night until recent years. It was copied from Oak Bluffs, Martha’s Vineyard, another camp meeting. There it originated in 1869 as a way to welcome the state governor and became an annual event.
Long Timer: No! This is an event which is, by far, mostly experienced by Grovers and their friends/relatives–it is the sort of neighborhood happening which brings joy, pride and togetherness to our community.
We can safely say that the Town-Wide Yard Sale attendee numbers are much less than those events which regularly flood our town with tourists and clog our parking.
Most of those who attend the yard sales walk or bike. There are some out-of-town tourists, but they are yard sale aficionados, and they love to meet the Grovers at the sales. We only advertise with tiny ads in the Coaster and the APP. You have to go to Blogfinger.net to see the addresses and the lists of sale items.
Fliers are pretty much out these days since the Chamber of Commercials members don’t allow it in most of their windows. I enjoy riding around on my bike and photographing during the sales; There I find happiness–people bring their dogs, their kids and their company to experience small town America at its best. The socializing is as important as the sales.
You don’t get that sort of neighborhood feel from any of the giant events designed to fill our town with thousands of tourists and to make money as the the top priority. Those happenings are the source of parking mayhem during most weekends during the season and beyond.
This year we will compete with a giant craft sale—that will cause parking chaos—-not us.
So why not join us—get some cash for your trash on June 18, 9-4.
Email us at Blogfinger@verizon.net
But doesn’t your “town wide yard sale” add to the traffic in mid-May?
Reblogged this on Blogfinger and commented:
It’s been 3 years since this spring post.. But nothing has changed….or maybe we are further down the chute to anonymity.
Said simply — I agree with you Paul.
I am with all of you who want more cultural events in town that are primarily for those who live here. I am super committed to doing exactly that. I pay for and promote several events each year that are directed at you the residents and those less fortunate who live among us. We host an Artist Paint Around each year where the Main Avenue Galleria artists donate their time and talents to create original paintings created by seven or more artists, live in front of you to raffle off the profits to support local charities.
We give free art classes to locals. So you may not know all that we do We love and respect where we are and want to be engaged with all of you. We struggle the same way that you do to find parking and deal with all that comes with the season.
I welcome artists, choral groups, and others that want to perform in front of my store to lend richness and culture to our town. Contact me Norma Tolliver at 732-988-1002.
There is no reason why interested citizens can’t get a few friends and invent some special activities for the locals. I recall Kevin Chambers organizing a poetry event to honor a poet (? Walt Whitman). It was held in Auditorium Square Park some years ago. And I remember an art festival where multiple venues were enjoyed including Founder’s Park and Auditorium Park.
Eileen and I set up the People’s Garden Tour in 2014 which was purposely designed for neighbors to visit the gardens of other Grovers. The same with our Blogfinger Film Festival and the Town-wide Yard Sales—-5th edition a few weeks ago.
And Deb Cuddhy organized Illumination Night. And there were movie nights on the beach and band concerts on the boards. And Miss Peggy Costantino who is reviving the OG Woman’s Club. And the Jewish community of Ocean Grove set up a fellowship called the Havurah which meets in each other’s homes.
And there are others,and we should encourage more of them to recognize that we do have a community to nurture here.
All of these were conceived as being for Grovers to share special events with each other.
Agreed! I don’t mind the Spring Fling/Flea markets and sometimes will even attend them & enjoy myself.
But, I would enjoy myself more if there were more events or activities for us who actually live here and call this town our home.
No one is saying to take away the flea markets, but let’s also add some activities or events that actually are for the residents.
Cash cow alert: Language matters. No one said that flea markets or craft fairs are “threatening our quality of life.”
Instead the article expresses the idea that we could use more balance in the kinds of events held in the Grove, especially a variety that would appeal to those folks who actually call Ocean Grove their home, as opposed to those designed to attract large crowds of tourist.
Some of us would appreciate more cultural happenings as were described in the article.
In my opinion, it’s not the flea market or craft fair that are threatening “our” quality of life. It’s the proliferation of real estate speculators, absentee property owners and developers – all looking at the town as a cash cow.
“For sale,” “sold” then “for rent” is the new mantra on my end of town.
Ten people with five cars pile into a small two-bed cottage across the street. The newly “sold” property, formerly well-maintained; next my abandoned house neighbor already has a giant rose bush laying across the sidewalk.
Whatever happened to people who really wanted to live here?
That’s great news j d not Salinger… Please keep us all posted with your updates !
Last summer, I noticed laminated historical pictures (sponsored by local businesses) affixed to the railings on the Bradley Beach “boardwalk” and thought OG should do the same. I suggested this to the Historical Society and was told to contact the Chamber of Commerce, which I did.
Last week, I went to the CC office again with this suggestion and was told to contact OGCMA, which I did. If the Historical Society and Chamber of Commerce think this is a good idea, work with the CMA now to implement it.
Curious, do you need permits or permission in this town – to sing acoustically or to perform slam poetry on Main Ave or in town? Wouldn’t it be lovely to have volunteers (who accept tips) to entertain the town on nights when residents and visitors are walking through Town.
These are the little things that remind people why they love this town. This is one of the reasons why people find it magical. The shops will earn the visitors money and the visitors will continue to come back expecting to find that simple entertaining experience.
The simple things that brings magic to the town aren’t the shops, but it’s when the high school girls band volunteers to play Christmas music in town, or when we come together to sing carols, or when Santa waves at everyone walking by, or when people sing songs of yesteryear in front of shops.
The tourists aren’t going home talking about the actual shops, but how cute the shops look or how they shared Christmas caroling wth strangers and with friends of the town.
We appreciate the OG shops, but wouldn’t it be wonderful if the shop owners came together to also create more artistic and creative events. It doesn’t have to be anything large in size, nor expensive. Perhaps there can be a bulletin posted in front of shops…asking if anyone is interested in volunteering to sing or play the guitar in front of their stores. The performers can make a few bucks with their tips, and the town has an instant memorable experience to remember. This will also continue to bring the shop’s revenue with repeat visitors.
Norma: This article is not an attack on the businesses in town, which are an important part of the fabric of Ocean Grove. Instead it is about the need for some focus regarding events, tourism and commercialism. It asks for more balance as the town tries to consider the relative rolls of citizens, businesses, and organizations
It seeks a plan to insure that the needs of all components that make up the town be recognized and that the unique aspects of the Grove be acknowledged and preserved.
As for the roll of the Chamber, they need to be more involved in the life of this community. Your claims sound good, but where’s the beef? We could not get any help from them when we organized a post Sandy fund raiser—the Blogfinger Film Festival.
Here is a quote from an article* about Chamber strategies for the future: “We believe that the future success of a Chamber of Commerce will be determined by its strategic development into a major, respected, dynamic center of community influence focusing not just on traditional business issues but on the overall financial health and well-being of the community.”
*http://chamberstrategies.com/chamber-white-paper.php
I always enjoy walking a few blocks to the festivals. “Festive” is the word and it makes me glad to live here. I certainly think that one per month would be overkill, not so much for me, however, because I live on the south end of town. I do empathize with the residence who cannot find parking close to home when the tourists are here.
These events benefit the local businesses financially while inconveniencing many residents. It’s a fine balance as to how much quality of life residents sacrifice so that Main Avenue business owners and commercial landlords can profit. Those who reside in Ocean Grove generally do so precisely because they are looking for peace and quiet ( otherwise they might choose to live in adjoining Asbury Park… ) Business owners promulgate the notion that what benefits the businesses benefits all the residents but I’m not exactly sure that this is true to the extent that they would like us to believe. I could do with fewer events, there gets to be a sameness to many of these shows that mostly seem to feature greasy food vendors.
These festivals and events help support local businesses that pay property taxes like everyone else. We struggle to make it through the winters and slow months and need to attract visitors to help us meet our obligations and remain open. We love and respect the community we are in and face the same parking challenges etc. I have to drive in to open my business as I do not live in town. Yet I always find somewhere to park and walk the necessary distance to get here.
These events are scheduled and should not come as a surprise, so maybe do that banking etc. on days other than the scheduled event days. Come out and enjoy the party with the rest of the community. It’s free to you and fun. We work hard to keep our prices reasonable and remain open all year for the benefit of all. Show some support. Without all of us owner operated businesses it wouldn’t be the same. We add culture, beauty and revenue to the town. We fund raise and support the efforts of the town. We supported rebuilding after Sandy and give our hard earned pennies to making Ocean Grove great. We are a part of the community too. Is it too much to ask that we be counted as valued members of this community? Would you prefer that we not be here?
I understand what Blogfinger is expressing and agree to the fact that our town would be that much more lovely if it were to offer more of the mentioned artistic events, and give less emphasis on the commercializations … But, if there are not these Flea Market type of events, what events would there then be? It’s nice to have a little bit of activity in town sometimes. If we live here 7 days of the week, then what’s the harm in a handful of events within the year–that may make our daily walks more congested. With this said, we also can agree that the parking is a real issue and needs to be addressed.
It really saddens me when more residents than not – will continuously complain of the mass amount of visitors that come into our town, especially during the Season. Isn’t it nice to share our town sometimes, while in a sense – we can be proud that we get to live in this beloved magical town, while the visitors have to go home at the end of the day or at the end of the week.
I give double thumbs up for bringing artistic events to our town, as that’s why I love Asbury – because they have more of that artistic freedom & energy. Blogfinger’s suggested artistic events sound great, but who has the power to make these suggested artistic events come to fruition?
Part of the problem may be that the shops in town are not lending to the artistic creative synergy. Most of the shops generdlly do not contribute to the residents daily needs, as the shops cater to the needs of the town’s visitors, in which these Spring Fling type of events cater to the tourists as well.
we need more music and more artistic events. Those are the sort of events that make our town so extra special for us residents. But, where do start? How can we create this?
I must disagree with you on this Paul. I love the festivals and would really like it if there were more. They add excitements and variety to our quiet little town. We all need to get more folks into town to support our businesses. It just takes a little planning for the residents to avoid the parking problems — do your shopping midweek, use a bike or Uber on weekends. Mind you, I’d love a long term solution to the parking problem – like prohibiting any more condos and using the north end as a parking lot — but let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater by eliminating the festivals.
Ocean Grove today, unlike how it was during its first hundred years, lacks focus as to what kind of town it wants to be.
Yesterday someone took issue with me saying, “Ocean Grove is a tourist town.” But is it? Is tourism what we are and want to be? Why would we want to be a “tourist town?”
If those who live here think about it, other than the usual shore-town summer mayhem, shouldn’t we want to be a town like so many others that favor the life styles of its citizens, with massive special events just occurring on occasion?
And don’t we want to have our town be known for its beauty, history, spirituality, peacefulness, smart events, and culture? Should shopping and tourists be the prime focus here, and to what end?
There is no correct answer, but the people need to figure out what kind of town it wants to be and then strive to achieve that vision. Otherwise the politicians, developers, and special interest organizations in the Grove will turn us into a forgettable place on a downhill trajectory.
The events are nice ; but I agree Finger:
With these events there needs to be some consideration for the residents that live here year round. Parking problems have become a year-round problem. With the popularity of Asbury Park growing- and word spreading that parking is free in OG, every weekend becomes a parking challenge
Last night I had to park 3 blocks from my front door, and summer hasn’t started. We need to revisit parking solutions for year round residents.
I also agree: What about improving some things around town for the locals. The idea of a dog park would greatly improve quality of life here- and it continues to be rejected.
These events are great for the local economy, but where is all the extra money going? Let’s consider throwing some of that money back into the community.
I could not agree more. There are too many of these events, which is an imposition on residents with noise and congestion. We need the merchants to be successful, but frequent events are a disturbance and enrich them at our expense.
One of the reasons to be in Ocean Grove is that it is quiet, even for a Shore town, and there should be a limit to these endless commercial events.
I come to Ocean Grove for lots of the events, including concerts at the Auditorium. Parking is always difficult and I can understand how frustrating it can be to live there.
We live in Highlands and wish our little town could grow and be like Ocean Grove – would love to have the charm that brings in the crowds and money flowing into the local businesses.
If the tourists and money don’t come in, do the town businesses still survive? Give a little, get a little……
I think this was a good event for Ocean Grove. Had no problem parking and walked over to the fair twice from my house. I look forward to the car show next week!
My wife went into the shopping district today and enjoyed the local businesses which were having sales to coordinate with the events. Obviously it is hard enough to survive as a small business, I know as I own one. The Chamber events help those businesses. This is the nature of this town. We knew when we decided to move here full time in 2010. We need a shopping district to give this town some life. Today was hardly a major problem.
I loved the Spring Fling today and I am looking forward to the Arts Festival, and the flea market. I like seeing my neighbors and friends from afar who come and are jealous that I live here. It was wonderful to see Burbelmaeirs opened today and was very busy. I must add that my husband and I both have excellent Savory pies. Many of the merchants were busy and I shopped at 2 stores which are locally owned. I saw many of my neighbors on Main Street. I strongly support the spring and fall festivals as well as the flea markets and Art Festival. I don’t think there’s any room in the calendar for more, but I think last years and this year’s calendars look good.
Jean Louise, Blogfinger is correct.There should be a limit to how many spaces are rented. Today’s two events combined were too much of a good thing.
…I wouldn’t mind….it’s fun!
Jean. Of course these events are special, but the question is about how many should happen. Would you like one each month?
I like Fairs, Festivals and Flings on Main Street.
It’s nice to get out of the house and socialize. There is creativity involved, so to me, it is cheerful and uplifting.
It’s something children can attend, and your doggies, so it is a family affair.
I hope they continue, it sets Ocean Grove apart from the rest.
OG is and always has been a walking town. I live on south end and know that driving, parking, etc. is not for me most of the time. It’s quicker to walk than to find a parking spot.