
By JOSEPH SAPIA
Bradley Beach’s sixth annual Lobster Fest, held Saturday and Sunday, July 12 and 13, drew its biggest crowd ever, about 40,000 people.
That was about 10,000 more than in 2013, said Brenda Connolly, president of the Bradley Beach Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the food and entertainment gathering along the beachfront.
“The weather was spectacular on Saturday,” Connolly said. “It got a little iffy on Sunday, but it wasn’t bad.”
The chamber was still figuring out how much money was brought in, Connolly said. She said the festival is used as a fund-raising event for the chamber and for community causes. She said some of the money raised this year is likely to go toward the beautification of Main Street, along with other community work.
Last year, money raised included that going to Main Street projects, such as flower baskets and banners that recently began flying.
In a month or so, the chamber will begin planning the 2015 Lobster Fest, Connolly said.
“It gets better each year,” she said. “It’s really a great event.”