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City raises concerns over event marketing
The city has a new event coming up Sept. 29 � an Apple Harvest Festival downtown � that some officials seem genuinely excited about. But before agreeing to have the event, the City Council last week made public some members' concerns about how a yearlong marketing venture called "Celebrate Asbury Park" has turned out so far. Created by the city's marketing company, Jewell Marketing Associates, the monthly events, some new and some old, were bundled together under a 110th anniversary of the city's incorporation date. The money for the events came from sponsors, with the largest contribution, at least $100,000, from beachfront developer Metro Homes of Hoboken. The problem, Deputy Mayor James Bruno said Wednesday, is that organizers, such as himself, of established events, such as his Fourth of July parade, agreed not to go after the usual sponsors � developers and lawyers � who had funded their events in the past.
Hop Festival grows into three days of fun
The 12th annual Madison County Hop Festival has sprouted - from a one-day celebration of a key ingredient in many beers, to a three-day event which starts Friday. "It just makes for a better weekend," said event organizer, Syndey Loftus. "It's a great weekend for looking at architecture, enjoying good food and a great draft brew." Sponsored by the Madison County Historical Society, the festival celebrates the local hop history, which dates back to the nineteenth century. "It's quite an amazing history that we have here," Loftus said. The festival kicks off Friday at 6 p.m. with a four-course meal at the Ye Olde Landmark Tavern in Bouckville. On Saturday, Hop Fest events begin at 9:30 a.m. at Cottage Lawn in Oneida with daylong presentations on hop culture, a musical performance by Irish band Quigsy and the Bird, concession stands, film screening and related hop merchandise.
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