Summer Celebration Returns to Sandy Hook

The Jersey Shore Partnership celebrates the beginning of the summer season with its annual Return to the Hook 2012 party. 

The Partnership is hoping to draw hundreds of business leaders, elected officials, academia, ocean advocates and citizens to The Gateway National Recreation area at Sandy Hook’s Fort Hancock on June 4th.

Partnership Executive Director Margo Walsh says “the purpose of the event is to create a greater awareness of the importance of our Jersey Shore to our quality of life and to our economy but most of important, our stewardship role in protecting our beaches.”  However, she says it’s also a great event for members of the state’s business community to network “because it’s informal.  We have restaurateurs from shore counties who serve magnificent specialties with seafood contributed by seafood organization’s across the state.”

Walsh says event is a major fundraiser hosted by the Partnership’s Foundation to finance its annual conference, educational initiatives and printed materials.  She says they’ll also be providing luxury transportation from Avalon and Garden State Parkway rest areas in Atlantic and Ocean Counties.

Walsh says tickets are $100 dollars each and can be purchased at their web site jerseyshorepartnership.com

Listen to Tom Mongelli’s conversation with Margo Walsh

According to Walsh, the Jersey Shore Partnership was established some 21 years ago following storms that ravaged New Jersey’s coastal communities.  She says state lawmakers saw its role as so critical that a dedicated source of funding was established in the State Budget for beach replenishment.  Walsh credits the funding with being a national model to drawing Millions of Federal dollars to pay for beach replenishment projects.

Walsh sees the Partnership role in working with Environmental Groups, Academia, Elected Officials and members of the business community in promoting and protecting a vibrant Jersey Shore.   Unlike some groups, Walsh says they support beach replenishment. “We believe that beach replenishment is needed, that managed replenishment has helped to keep the Jersey Shore a vital destination for people who love to go to the beach.”

Walsh says the celebration starts at 5:30 with a reception and a magnificent seafood bar, followed by a dinner, awards, music and dancing under a big tent.  Walsh says the dinner Chair is James Kiernan, the Market President of TD Bank Coastal New Jersey Market and honorary Dinner Chairs are Senator Joe and Susan Kyrillos.

Get the details at jerseyshorepartnership.com or for information about tickets and ad journal opportunities email mwalshjspf@gmail.com or 732-212-4134.