Hey everyone, it’s your boy back again with another adventure, and this time it’s all about the New Jersey Seafood Festival 2021. You know I’m always up for some good food, and when I heard about a seafood festival, I was like, “Sign me up!”
So, let’s start at the beginning. I did a little digging online and saw that there were a bunch of seafood festivals happening in New Jersey that year. One was in Belmar, another in Avalon, and one at Monmouth Park Racetrack. But the one that really caught my eye was the Downbeach Seafood Festival at Ski Beach in Ventnor. I saw that it was going to be on September 17th and 18th, and the description said it was one of the “tastiest events to hit the jersey shore.” That sounded right up my alley.
Getting There and First Impressions
September 17th rolled around, and I hopped in my car, amped up for a day of seafood galore. The drive to Ventnor was smooth, and finding Ski Beach wasn’t too hard. When I arrived, I could see the crowds already gathering. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, and the smell of food was in the air. It was everything I hoped it would be.
Diving into the Food
I grabbed a map of the festival and started planning my eating strategy. There were so many vendors, it was a bit overwhelming, but in a good way! I started with some clam chowder from one of the local stands – creamy, rich, and just what I needed to kick things off. Next, I saw a place with a long line, and you know what they say, a long line usually means good food. I waited patiently, and let me tell you, it was worth it. They had these amazing grilled shrimp skewers that were seasoned to perfection.
- Clam Chowder: Creamy, delicious, and a perfect starter.
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers: Seasoned just right and totally worth the wait.
- Lobster Rolls: I mean, it’s a seafood festival, you gotta have a lobster roll, right? It was juicy, buttery, and everything a lobster roll should be.
- Oysters: Fresh, briny, and just the right amount of ocean flavor.
The Atmosphere and Entertainment
It wasn’t just about the food, though. There were live bands playing, people were dancing, and there were even some games for the kids. I walked around, taking in the sights and sounds, and it was just a great vibe all around. I even saw a guy juggling fish. Well, not really, but he was juggling something, and it was entertaining!
Wrapping Up the Day
As the sun started to set, I found a nice spot by the water to sit and digest all the delicious food I had eaten. I had some more treats throughout the day, like fried calamari and a fish taco that was out of this world. I couldn’t have asked for a better day.
I ended up staying until the festival closed, soaking in every last moment. I bought a few souvenirs to remember the day – a t-shirt, a hat, and a little keychain shaped like a lobster. Cheesy, I know, but I love that stuff.
The New Jersey Seafood Festival 2021 was a blast. Good food, good music, and good vibes. If you’re ever in Jersey during seafood festival season, you gotta check it out. I know I’ll definitely be back next year. Until then, keep eating and keep exploring!
