THE SONGS, SOUNDS AND TASTES OF THE CARIBBEAN COME TO ASBURY PARK FOR
A CARIBBEAN BEACH PARTY AUG. 19 AND 20

Asbury Park’s Finest and Bravest Take Part in “Dunk for Dollars” Dunking Tank Game

ASBURY PARK, N.J., Aug. 11, 2006 – Reggae, steel drums, dance and an appearance by DJ Goose of WBLS highlight a weekend of Caribbean-themed free entertainment on the Asbury Park beach and boardwalk on Saturday, Aug. 19 and Sunday, Aug. 20. Guests will also enjoy delectable Caribbean cuisine prepared by Branches Catering of West Long Branch.

The event, the Asbury Park Caribbean Beach Party, will be hosted by the historic Convention Hall/Paramount Theatre and Asbury Partners, master developer of the 56-acre Oceanfront Asbury waterfront redevelopment. The event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. each day.

A special highlight of the festivities will be a dunking game called “Dunk for Dollars,” in which the public will be invited to take a chance at dunking members of the Asbury Park Fire Department on Saturday and the Asbury Park Police Department, including Deputy Chief Mark Kinmon, on Sunday. Each chance to drop one of the City’s Bravest or Finest into a 300-gallon tank will cost two dollars, with success rewarded with a carved coconut head. Proceeds will go to the two government agencies.

Saturday’s entertainment will be highlighted with appearances by DJ Goose of WBLS radio and the M’Zumé drum and dance ensemble. On Sunday, the featured entertainment will be the reggae group Ras Rootz and steel drum artists Utopia Pan Soul.

Local Band M’Zumé will be bringing the sounds of Carnival to the beautiful Asbury Park beachfront, as they play beats derived from the music of Brazil to Brooklyn and from Florida to Cuba. M’Zumé, which means freedom or liberation, spreads an atmosphere of transcendence and spirituality through the powerful vibrations of the drums. “The

Caribbean Beach Party is like a brief escape to the Islands,” said Joni Forte, events director for the Asbury Park Convention Hall/Paramount Theatre. “It’s a celebration of a culture of great sounds and great food, and it’s a fun time for the entire family.”

Asbury Park will also feature mixed-genre boardwalk concerts on most weekends, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., through Labor Day.

All events are free, with beach badges required for admission to the Asbury Park Beach. All events are subject to change without notice. For more information, visit www.asburyevents.com or call (732) 775-3533.