More than 50 live music acts, a Hot Rod and Custom Car Show, dozens of vendors, a US SUP Tour stop with surfing and SUP clinics, BMX and freestyle motocross stunt shows, an NFL Pro 60 Training Camp, and a Pros vs. Heroes Charity Flag Football Game. Sound like a weekend jam-packed with fun? You’d be right.

The Seaside Heights Jersey Shore Festival is a three-day, fun-filled extravaganza on the beach, complete with live bands, a vendor village and tons of activities for all ages. The weekend will kick off Thursday, May 14 at 7 p.m. with a welcoming party at Spicy’s Cantina on the boardwalk.

Friday, May 15

The festival’s live music starts things off at 6 p.m. Seven bands, including local acts like The B Sides, The Black Clouds and Thompson and Boombox, will perform at different bars and restaurants on the Seaside Heights Boardwalk until 1 a.m. A Fashion Field VIP Party will take place at Hemingway’s from 10 p.m. to 2 a .m.

Saturday, May 16

Visit the Jersey Shore Festival Vendor Village from noon to 7 p.m. to check out artists, businesses, non-profits and food vendors. There’s sure to be something for all ages!

Live music starts again at noon throughout boardwalk bars and restaurants, featuring acts from all over the country, including Atlanta, New Orleans and Los Angeles. For a full list of performers, visit http://www.jerseyshorefestival.com/?page_id=83.

A NFL Play 60 Training Camp will start at noon, and will encourage kids to be active. The event will include a mini-NFL combine, allowing kids to test their speed in the 40-yard dash, check their vertical leap and passing accuracy.

From 3 to 6 p.m., former NFL players will take on local heroes of the Tom’s River Police and Fire Departments in a Pros vs. Heroes Charity Flag Football Game. An after party will follow from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., closing out the day’s festivities.

Sunday, May 17

Once again, start the day off at the Jersey Shore Festival Vendor Village at noon, along with live music across the boardwalk. Check out another round of NFL Play 60 Training Camp at noon, followed by rematch of the Pros vs. Heroes flag football game at 3 p.m.

Wrap up the fun-filled weekend with the Jersey Shore Festival Closing Party from 8 p.m. to midnight.

Other events during the festival will include a custom car show, a US SUP Tour stop featuring surfing and SUP clinics, and a BMX and freestyle motocross stunt show on the beach.

Lend a helping hand

Give back to the Seaside Heights community during the Jersey Shore Festival and help build a home for Habitat For Humanity. Starting May 14 at noon and going straight through the festival until May 17 at 5 p.m., you can join Habitat For Humanity to build a Jersey Shore home. For more information, contact home@jerseyshorefestival.com.

Getting there

This year, the Jersey Shore Festival is teaming up with RYDE to bring festival visitors to Seaside Heights from surrounding areas. RYDE, an organization that offers individual seats on luxury motorcoaches to create a transportation network, makes getting to and from events economically viable and environmentally friendly. For less than the cost of gas, tolls and parking, Jersey Shore Festival goers can hop a RYDE bus to and from New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland. Interested in getting a RYDE? Visit www.rydethere.com and click the Jersey Shore Festival logo!

 Jersey Shore Festival: Music, Vendors & Activities at the Beach

Location: Seaside Heights, NJ
Visitors: Locals, tourists
Hours: Thursday, May 14 –Sunday, May 17
Website: www.jerseyshorefestival.com