Ventnor Lawn Fest 2018.
VENTNOR – No one wants summer to end, especially in Ventnor, says Herbert S. Ushewokunze of destination marketing company, Haich Media Group.
Ushewokunze has been working with the city to obtain all the necessary approvals for the first in what he hopes is a series of events that extend Ventnor’s summer season beyond Labor Day.
“Summer’s not over yet,” he said. “People need to come back for the great September weather.”
The Endless Summer’s inaugural event planned for 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 revives a well-received event that happened last year at private residences throughout the city.
“It is similar to a porch fest, but the city would prefer that term not be used,” Ushwokunze said.
Instead, it’s being called Lawn Fest, and like last year’s event, property owners are invited to turn their front porches, decks or lawns into venues for live musical performances. Festival goers will descend upon the city on foot or bicycle touring homes and enjoying music, friendship and refreshments.
New this year is a main staging area for festival goers in the sandy park behind the Ventnor Library, where a DJ will spin hits from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The event ends with a “grand finale” fireworks display at dusk on the beach at Newport Avenue.
Commissioner Tim Kriebel said the city’s large event review committee, which includes the Police and Fire departments, has reviewed and approved the plan. The city has been working with Ushewokunze on the event for several months, Kriebel said.
As a destination marketing company, Haich Media Group specializes in “branding for local spaces that are interesting exciting,” Ushewokunze said.
“Ventnor wants to continue to extend the summer season with new and exciting experiences, so I met with the city and we decided to launch an Endless Summer series of events,” he said.
Because it is so late in the season, the Lawn Fest would be the only event this year, but next year there will be a series of events planned, he said.
Support from sponsors is still needed, and qualified food truck vendors will pay an administrative fee to be part of the festival, he said.
In addition to food trucks, the main stage area includes arts and crafts vendors, Ushewokunze said.
Residents who are familiar with the lawn fest concept are excited to see it revived this year, he said.
Some of the homeowners have already requested certain acts, yet others will be paired with musical acts as they register, he said. He has already reached out to those who hosted music last year, but there’s room for more.
“We’re hoping to have 50 hosts,” he said. “We have enough registered to get us going, but it’s important for people to get involved.”
The event is free. Food will be available for purchase at the food trucks. Participants are encouraged to bring sunscreen, water, and blanket or lawn chair.
Learn about hosting, sponsoring, entertaining or tabling at ventnorlawnfest.com.
