Oceanport Planning For Lions Club Strawberry Festival

The annual Oceanport Lions Club Strawberry Festival is already taking shape.

The festival will be held on Friday, June 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Maple Place School in the borough.

The event has been scaled back in recent years after previously being held at the Monmouth Park parking lot and featuring large rides. Now it features more family-friendly activities such as a dunk tank and face painting.

There will be $5 raffle tickets with a chance to win prizes such as a and iPad 3, Kindle Fire HD or two tickets to a New York Yankees game.

Some of this year's attractions will include and American Idol-style contest, a dunk tank featuring Maple Place School Principal Matthew Howell, DJ Corey Fox, free pitching and putting lessons from golf instructor Rob Connelley, a rock climbing wall, a bounce land, clowns, face painting and balloon crafts.

Local dentist and Oceanport Lion Craig Sprung will also participate in the Shotdoc Basketball Challenge. Sprung will attempt (30) 3-point basketball shots at 7:45 p.m. in the gym. Guests can make donations for as little of 25 cents for every shot Sprung makes and all the proceeds will go to local Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund Oceanport Cares.

The festival's menu includes ice cream, root beer floats, pizza, hot dogs, coffee, tea and soda. The main menu item, as always, will be strawberry short cake.

Festival-goers can also donate their old eyeglasses and there will be a prize for the family that brings in the most pairs.

A portion of all the money raised during the festival will go to Oceanport Cares. There are no administrative expenses for the day.

For more information on the festival, contact Event Chairman John Bonforte, Sr. at johnsru@monmouthrubber.com or 908-489-9090.