Memorial Day weekend is the official opening of the beaches at the Jersey Shore. This weekend Bradley Beach is kicking their official opening with a boardwalk event.
Bradley Beach Memorial Weekend Event
May 26 and 27th, walk the boardwalk in Bradley Beach and discover a new trinket for your jewelry box, or a homemade craft that you can’t live without. It’s a family weekend to enjoy the beach, the expected warm weather, and the festival, opening weekend of 2012.
This beach community puts on a great festival following the parade honoring our fallen veterans: those heroes who served to keep our country free. The Memorial Day parade starts at 10 AM on Saturday.
“Down the Shore” as we natives call it, the months of May and June are know for less crowds, faster services getting into restaurants, hotels, motels and B&B at more affordable prices than July and August.
Restaurants
Bradley Beach is considered restaurant row, heading south on Main Avenue (Route 71). On Brinley Avenue, about five blocks south of Ocean Grove and Route 71, Bella Sogno features a $15 price fixed menu with a three course dinner special Monday through Thursday. Del Ponte’s Bakery, 600 Main Avenue in Bradley Beach, now owns Del Ponte’s Brick Oven Pizza, which is one of the best pizza restaurants in Bradley Beach. I recommend their panini sandwich, salads and Margarita pizza. Don’t forget to stop next door at the bakery for scrumptious Italian pastry, cookies, cakes, pies, rolls and bread.
You’ll never been at a loss for something to do on the Memorial Day weekend in Bradley Beach. It’s a small community that has one of the only movie theaters and bowling alley in its town. Both are on Route 71.
Lone Biker heading into Bradley Beach (May 23, 2012
Don’t let this pictures fool you. Come Friday evening of the Memorial Day weekend, May 25, 2012, the boardwalk will have its share of families walking this famous length of boardwalk to and from Bradley Beach into Ocean Grove. And on Saturday morning more than 200 vendors will sell their wares under a protective sun tents.
Take this opportunity to spend some time “Down the Shore” during May and June. You and your family and friends will love what’s happening here.
A lone fisherman on an empty Bradley Beach (May 23, 2012)
The beach won’t be empty for long. If you plan on making the trip, Exit 100 B of the Garden State Parkway heading south. If you’re driving from the south heading north on the GSP, Exit 100 at Ocean Grove, take Route 33 to Route 71 and make a right turn to Bradley Beach. Taking Route 18 to the shore points, Exit 8A and follow the directions from Route 33.
Look for “More at the Shore Events 2012″ right here on Striped Pot.
Photos: Patricia Florio
Ah summer. We had a good spring but glad summer is here. The Jersey Shore sounds like a fine summer destination.