Friends of Clearwater Festival set for Aug. 15
The 34th annual New Jersey Friends of Clearwater Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at Sunset Park, corner of Sunset Avenue and Main Street, Asbury Park. The theme of this year's free, one-day festival is "Clean Ocean Zone: Fight for Clear Water!"

The New York/New Jersey Bight, that portion of the Atlantic Ocean from Montauk to Cape May, has been identified in legislation written jointly by N.J. Friends of Clearwater, Clean Ocean Action and a coalition of other groups known as the New Jersey/New York Clean Ocean Zone (COZ).

According to a press release from Clearwater, COZ is a no-pollution zone for contaminators and risky fossil fuel endeavors like the liquified natural gas islands proposed off the coast that endanger the health of all life supported by our ocean.

The festival lineup of performers combines national and local musical talent starting with main stage headliner Guy Davis, the son of well-known actors and civil rights activists Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis, and folk icon and humorist Oscar Brand, all the way to a talented local songstress who lives two blocks from Sunset Park.

Main Stage performers are: Guy Davis, legendary bluesman; Christine Martucci; Quincy Mumford Band; Mimi Cross; Oscar Brand; Ken Shane; Rob Dye and Melissa Chill Band; and Lauren Pennington. A festival tradition, the Circle of Song Stage will feature sing- and play-along sets led by Maryellen Healy; Vinnie Cerniglia; Jan Christensen; Ingrid Heldt; Joe Kaminsky; Shirl Lawrence; Steve Kaplan; Mike Meade; Eric Russell, and the Hudson River Sloop Singers Reunion.

Award-winning children's performers Peanut Butter 'n' Jammin' with Dawnie, Kids at Our House and Polka Dot will entertain in the children's area. The festival will also feature a butterfly tent arts and crafts, and tiedyeing.

An Environmental Justice Roundtable will feature urban environmental activists and educators from Newark, Camden, Trenton, Elizabeth and Asbury Park discussing ways to make the urban environment more livable and sustainable.

The free festival offers environmental displays, crafters, green vendors, food and fun.

In the press release, festival organizers thank the performers "for unselfishly answering our call and donating their talent and time. Without their generosity, this year's Clearwater Festival would not have occurred in this year of economic meltdown." Volunteers are also recognized.

New Jersey Friends of Clearwater is a grassroots nonprofit, volunteer-run and staffed organization. Since 1974, Clearwater has been actively educating children and adults on the importance of clean, clear water and urging citizens to be responsible custodians of our domain: the estuaries of the Hudson, Raritan, Delaware and other New Jersey rivers; the Jersey Shore coastline; inland waterways; and the land of New Jersey.

Almost 40 years ago, folksinger and activist Pete Seeger realized a dream by getting the 106-foot sloop Clearwater launched and spreading the word for a cleaner environment by word, music and action. A seed from that endeavor took root in the form of Monmouth County Friends of Clearwater when popular folksinger Bob Killian brought the idea to Monmouth County more than 35 years ago, according to the press release.

NJFC will continue its close affiliation with Hudson River Sloop Clearwater Inc., as a Clearwater Sloop Club. The new name NJFC reflects the group's goals, growth and outreach.

For more information, call 732-872-9644.