The quaint Jersey Shore community of Asbury Park continues to develop as an increasingly popular playground and coastal getaway for gays and lesbians living in the New York and Philadelphia metropolitan areas, as the city is within easy reach of both. .
Asbury Park’s picturesque boardwalk is once again the site of Jersey Pride, held in early June and now turning 25. This weekend celebration is the de facto Pride event for the entire state of New Jersey, though it draws quite a few revelers from border states like New York, Delaware, and Pennsylvania (Asbury Park is about a 90-minute drive south of New York. City, and a 90 minute drive east of Philadelphia). This year, the Jersey Pride celebration takes place on Sunday, June 5, 2016.
American Idol winner Jordin Sparks will perform at the 2016 New Jersey Pride celebration , which is expected to draw about 30,000 participants.
The festivities take place throughout Sunday, from noon to 7 p.m., and feature a parade, food, more than 100 vendors, a family area, an AIDS commemorative quilt, lounging on the nearby beach, and watching a Lots of live entertainment. Jersey Pride takes place on the Boardwalk in the heart of Asbury Park, at Ocean Ave. and 5th Ave.
Asbury Park Gay Resources
You can learn more about the Asbury Park gay scene on the OutInJersey website, as well as the Asbury Gay Guide online. A good source for local tourist information is the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce.
