Spring is upon us, and for those of us who live and work at the Jersey Shore, that means we will once again have the outdoors to look forward to.
The spring season of 2019 on the barrier island will get off to a great start with some community events worth attending. Here are just a few of them happening in Lavallette, Seaside Heights and Ortley Beach over the next month or so:
Shore Sprint For Sam (March 30, Seaside Heights)
Set to run from 11am to 1:30pm, the Shore Sprint for Sam is held in honor of Samantha “Sam” Pesaresi, whose donated lungs allowed local resident Mike Mania to live. Sam had passed away at 23 from a brain aneurysm, but as an organ donor, she was able to save another life as her final act. She was a beach lover, so it’s fitting that this event to promote organ donor awareness is taking place in Seaside. Registration begins at 10am. Visit www.samsspirit.com or email cmania@comcast.net for more information.
Runapalooza (April 6, Seaside Heights)
Benefitting the Special Olympics of New Jersey and the Jersey Shore Dream Center, this Jersey Shore Relay event invites distance runners to make the journey from the Beachcomber in Seaside to Point Pleasant, Manasquan, and up to Belmar, a run of 22 miles if you complete the entire course, though runners are welcome to run shorter distances and stop at one of three transition areas.
Breakfast With The Easter Bunny (April 7, Seaside Heights)
At the Casino Pier and Pier Grill, families will be able to enjoy a visit with the Easter Bunny from 9:30 am to noon. The event features a breakfast buffet, crafts for the kids, balloons and face painting, and of course, a visit by the Easter Bunny. If you want to attend, pre-register at casinopiernj.com.
Roast Pork Dinner, Ladies Fire Auxiliary (April 13, Lavallette)
Drop by the Lavallette Firehouse at 125 Washington Avenue between 4pm and 8pm and enjoy a delicious dinner that will not only fill your belly, it will also help benefit the Lavallette Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 and the Ladies Fire Auxiliary.
Egg Hunt (April 14, Seaside Heights)
This free family event begins at 1pm and will feature a load for the family to see and do. There will be a free Easter Egg hunt on the beach with over 15,000 eggs hidden, with prizes that can be redeemed at many of the merchants on the boardwalk. This is a big event that draws lots of people from all over Ocean County, so come early.
Seaside Corvette Show (April 27)
Classic car lovers should not skip this. All day in Seaside, classic Corvettes will be on display from a wide variety of years. Your favorite will be here!
Walk to Defeat ALS (May 4)
May the 4th is unofficially Star Wars Day, but it’s also the day of this year’s Walk to Defeat ALS. Check in is at 9am and the walk begins at 10am at Hiering Avenue and the boardwalk. The goal is to raise funds and awareness on behalf of the ALS Association, Greater Philadelphia Chapter, and help them promote research and treatment to fight ALS, aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease. It’s also to have fun, as this event is always filled with good times, music, and great people.
These are just a few of many reasons to visit the shore region this spring, which is a great time to enjoy the beaches of Seaside Heights, Lavallette, and Ortley Beach in Ocean County before the summer season begins.