A massive two-day concert in Asbury Park this weekend is expected to draw
more than 30,000 visitors to the city. Combine that with a summerlike
weather forecast and even more people will be taking advantage of the
sunshine and beaches.
The message people
in town want to get out is even if you don't have tickets for the concert,
still come to Asbury Park.
The closures begin around Fifth Avenue
and Ocean and go north, but there’s still a big section of the
city not affected by the concert.
Many shop owners
are hoping for not only the spill-over crowd, but also those squeezing
in the last of the warm weather at the beach.
“The retailers
down here like Rebel are open, Black Swan, us at Toast, we're all looking
forward to just a beautiful weekend post-Labor Day,” says Toast
owner Amy Russo.
The best way to reach the city is mass transit,
such as rideshares or by NJ Transit bus or train.
Police say they don't expect any problems, but they
will be out in force to keep everyone in town safe.
“If you're not
going to the concert, the town is open,” says Sgt. Mike Casey. “We have a bunch
of restaurants on Main Street, Cookman Avenue, Bangs Avenue, downtown business
district.”
The closures will remain in place
until Sunday night. Beaches south of
Fifth Avenue are open to the public.