EDITOR’S NOTE: The 2020 edition of the NJ Marathon was cancelled. This year it will be held on October 16 and 17, and it will be returning to OG. Registration is now open. Go to thenewjerseymarathon.com for more information.
September 10. 2016. Ocean Pathway, Ocean Grove, New Jersey.
The ad said “rain or shine,” but today at the OG Giant Fall Flea Market, there was a bit too much shine. It was hot—nearly 90 degrees, but nevertheless, a large crowd showed up, and there were sea breezes.
The Boardwalk Pavilion was crowded as a group had assembled to enjoy the simple pleasures of the shade along with cool air from the ocean.
I like the ambience of flea and farmers markets, while Eileen is more of a shopper. I, on the other hand, could visit every one of the 385 vendors here today and I would find absolutely nothing that I would want. But the photo ops—that’s another story.
If you are a photographer you can sympathize with me. At noon, with the light changing at every step and with my automatic meter being unreliable, I had to figure out exposures from moment to moment, and it was annoying to manually keep changing the settings.
Noon is the worst time of day to get good photos due to the harsh high-contrast light. I much prefer to shoot in the shade whenever possible. And then there are the flea market throngs, with a giant person stepping in the way just as a Jennifer Lawrence look-alike enters my field of vision.
Some people ask me why I photograph women. The answer is quite obvious—what is more beautiful? Even women enjoy looking at pictures of women, especially those unique types whose dress and manner are so graceful, interesting, and enticing.
And especially at the famous flea market on Ocean Pathway in the Grove, by-the-sea, where a photographer cannot deny girls in their summer clothes.
Flea Market Gallery: First turn on the music. Then click on one then follow the large arrows. To return to this page, click on the small X on the left.
Heather says: “THE DAYS ICE CREAM KAZOO BAND WILL BE AT THE INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE IN OCEAN GROVE, NJ. Ahem. Sorry for yelling, I’m just really excited!!
Driving Jersey, a PBS series will soon feature the Ocean Grove parade and the Kazoo Band!
The hills are alive with the sound of music. Thanks to barricades from Neptune Township, the block party at Mt. Carmel Way came alive with food, fun and friends. It began in daylight at about 6 pm and continued into the night. The celebrants seem to be ignoring the ordinance which says you can’t eat between the yellow lines.
These events occur around town towards the end of summer. The most famous is the concert version on the beach block of Embury Avenue.
SHIRLEY AND LEE:
“Come on baby while the thrill is on
Come on baby lets have some fun
Come on baby let the good times roll
Roll all night long…”
GIANT FLEA MARKET. June, 2013. Ocean Grove, NJ. All photos by Paul Goldfinger
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger (text and photos)
A Camp Meeting official walked by and said to me, “I have never seen the Flea Market so busy and crowded.” A flea lady was doing a big business at her stand. She said to the flea man next to her, “It doesn’t get better than this!”
People were leaving the market with furniture, clothes and a variety of stuff. I even witnessed a hat seller discovering a special chapeau for a Rastafarian with a huge head of hair—perhaps a first in Ocean Grove.
Down by the Boardwalk Pavilion, folks were getting out of the sun. The beach was fairly crowded at both ends, although the middle was empty due to the fact that no lifeguards were there. A badge checker said that the middle beach will come to life as the crowds get bigger.
There were some minor inconveniences at the beach front, but the checker said that she heard no complaints. For those interested in heading from one end to the other, no one seemed to mind walking along the grassy sandy strip. One visitor said that it was “beautiful.”
A couple from Jackson, N.J. put down their chairs in the strip and enjoyed the day. The checker lady said that she was telling folks to not walk in the street.
JOHN PIZZARELLI:
Photos: Put cursor on bottom and use control to stop and go.:
