(16/29) TRENTON – The Department of Environmental Protection will host a fun afternoon of music, barbecue and beer on Saturday, April 30 as the Historic Village in Allaire State Park hosts its first-ever BBQ and Brew Fest to raise money for educational programming, DEP Commissioner Bob Martin announced.

Visitors can tour the Allaire Village grounds to explore historic buildings, visit craft shops and enjoy the day’s activities. The rain or shine event runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is a fundraiser for Allaire Village Inc., a non-profit educational and historic preservation partner of the park. General admission is $5; barbecue and beer are extra.

“The BBQ and Brew Fest is a wonderful opportunity for the public to come out and enjoy good music and food, while helping to raise money for public programming at Allaire,” said Mark Texel, Director of the Division of Parks and Forestry. “The rich history of this property is a great backdrop for a day of fun.”

“We are proud to offer this new and exciting event to the village and its visitors,” said Hance Sitkus, Chairman of the Board for the Historic Village in Allaire State Park.

Scheduled bands include the group Gas House Gorillas at 11 a.m. and the Chuck Lambert Band at 2:30 p.m. In addition to the musical performances, festival-goers can sample barbecue from 11 vendors and beer from five breweries. Event sponsors include Investors Bank, the New Jersey Lottery, Power: Home Remodeling Groups, 95.9 FM the WRAT, 90.5 FM the Night: Brookdale Public Radio, WJRZ 100.1 FM and Thunder 106 FM.

The Allaire Historic Village in Allaire State Park is located at 4263 Atlantic Avenue in Farmingdale, Monmouth County. The event is open to all ages. Visitors entering the beer garden must be at least 21 years old. Parking may be limited, so visitors also are encouraged to carpool, bike ride along the park’s bicycle path or use promo code AllaireBBQ for an Uber discount.

Allaire Village, Inc. is a non-profit educational and historic preservation group that works to educate the public about the Howell Works Company, an early 19th century iron producing community, and the life of James Peter Allaire, a prominent 19th century marine engine manufacturer. The village also demonstrates what everyday life was like in New Jersey during that era.

For more information about the Allaire BBQ and Brew Fest, please call (732) 919-3500 or visit www.allairevillage.org
To learn more about Allaire State Park, visit  www.nj.gov/dep/parksandforests/parks/allaire.html