The morning of the festival, cold rain fell and dispelled notions of heading to Red Bank for Sunday fun. Then the magic weather wand whisked and by 2 PM, sunny blue skies and warm breezes arrived as did thousands of festival fans.  The festival, sponsored by Asbury Park Press and Heineken had help from Red Bank River Center, Red Bank Visitors Center and the Borough of Red Bank.

No matter how many times I go to Red Bank, each opportunity to stroll down Broad Street, with abundant old architecture from the turn of the next to last century, I feel as if I just got off a Rod Serling train into a slice of American history, and its springtime, early 1940’s. I loved being downtown in another century before I hit White Street parking lot for the food, drink and music.

The aromas and sounds of the festival filled the air. Two soundstages on the western and eastern sides of the parking lot provided first rate entertainment  to huge crowds. On the All American Stage ‘King Casino Band, Brian Kirk and the Jirks, Runaway (Bon Jovi Tribute band) and Quincy Mumford and the Reason Why rocked the packed house. What could be bad? Rock music. Food 360 degrees. Beer (A plastic bottle of Amstel Light approached 30 feet in height).  A booth that rolled cigars. And a Bagpipe marching band.

The International stage featured performances by Kathryn Barnett School of Dance, Random Test Reggae, Steve Reilly Band (Irish sounds) and The Funktion (Latin and Salsa). More eye catching attractions: booths for; cheese, chocolate, hand-made sea glass jewelry, a camp for dogs, rock music school and almost every kind of gourmet food. Near the exit and my 94 minutes of absorbing the festival, I found a booth for fresh shrimp cocktail. It put me in the mood. We had dinner in Red Bank on Broad Street sitting outside. The sky was still blue.

by Calvin Schwartz