Highlands Clamfest Celebrates 25 Years

HIGHLANDS, N.J. – Food and Music lovers will fill the streets at the Highlands Business Partnership’s 25th Annual Clam Fest from August 1st to August 4th at Huddy Park on Bay & Waterwitch Avenues. The famous Clam Fest is a four-day spectacular event featuring a 120’ seafood court serving the freshest food from many of Highlands’ restaurants and establishments including Lusty Lobster and Chilangos. Other festival favorites include the Lions Club Funnel Cakes, and the Highlands Fire Department BBQ tent. Admission and parking is free, and the event takes place rain or shine.

The 25th Annual Clam Fest will feature a Beer, Wine and Sangria Garden on the corner of Waterwitch and Bay Avenues. Big Mark’s Action Park Amusements will set up the midway with portions of Waterwitch and Bay Avenues closed to street traffic to accommodate the rides, games of chance, specialty vendors and the succulent food court. Every night is “Pay-One-Price Bracelet Night,” when visitors can enjoy the amusement rides all night for $30.

On Thursday, August 1st, local favorite, Cranston Dean will take the stage from 6 – 10 PM and DJ Johnny Jonze will emcee the festival.
Clam Fest hours are 6:00 – 11:00PM on Friday, August 2nd, with entertainment by The Jonzes performing at 7:00 PM. Highlands will commemorate Clam Fest’ 25th Anniversary with a spectacular Fireworks Display on Snug Harbor Beach. The fireworks display, produced by Serpico Pyrotechnics, will begin at 9PM. Rain date will take place on Saturday, August 3rd.

On Saturday, August 3rd, the festival begins at noon, with classic rock favorites performed by Steel Rail; finishing with the Motown sounds of Motor City Revue, featuring Layonne Holmes, from 6:00 – 10:00PM.

Clam Fest hours on Sunday, August 4th, are 12:00 – 8:00 PM. The Highlands Community Singers, featuring their hit, “Happy as a Clam” will take the stage at noon. The Clam Fest’s world-class CLAM-SHUCKING COMPETITION kicks off at 2:00 PM sponsored by Lusty Lobster and has 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be awarded to the fastest clam shuckers. The famous ALL YOU CAN EAT CLAM CONTEST sponsored by the Highlands Business Partnership, will begin promptly at 2:30 pm. There is also a 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize contest to the person who can eat the most clams in five (5)
minutes. The ALL YOU CAN EAT CLAM CONTEST will be limited to fifteen entries. Registration for ALL Contests begins at Noon. Rave On!, will take the stage from 4:30– 7:30PM, performing the music of Buddy Holly, Roy Orbison and other legends of early Rock and Roll.

Clam Fest 2019 is made possible with the generous support of our sponsors including NJ Department of Travel & Tourism, Seastreak, WRAT 95, Hufnagel Tree Experts, New York Life, Bayshore/Montecalvo Family of Companies, and In the Garden. For more information on the Highlands Business Partnership’s events or programs, please visit www.highlandsnj or call 732-291-4713.