(ASBURY PARK, NJ) -- New Jersey Friends of Clearwater invites everyone to start their Labor Day Weekend at its free 51st Annual Clearwater Festival Saturday September 5, 2026, a late summer, family-friendly celebration of great live music, Mother Earth and more in Sunset Park near the ocean in Asbury Park.
The Festival will run from 11:00am til 8:00pm featuring varied live music throughout, on stage and at the folk singing Circle of Song. In addition, food, merchandise vendors, a children's area-this year featuring pony rides- and of course, lots of information about how individuals and communities can work to protect the environment and volunteer opportunities.
Join the fun! Bring a chair or a blanket and stay for lunch and or dinner!
This year, N.J. Friends of Clearwater is pleased to welcome co-sponsor and kindred spirit Clean Ocean Action.
Inspired by folksinger and early environmentalist Pete Seeger, the Festival began in 1975 when Seeger came to Sandy Hook bringing music and his crusade to protect the environment. The non-profit all- volunteer-run NJ Friends of Clearwater was founded by Bob Killian, who had helped Seeger launch the 106 ft. Clearwater tall ship that spread the word in one of America's most successful grassroots environmental movements.
"Every year we try to stay true to Pete's formula of combining great music, food and summer fun with important information about individual and collective ways to protect Mother Nature," said Chrissie Goedkoop, President of NJ Friend's of Clearwater.
Cindy Zipf, Executive Director of Clean Ocean Action, the Festival co-sponsor said:
"The Clearwater Festival is a big part of New Jersey's environmental story, especially along the coast. We're proud to stand alongside NJ Friends of Clearwater and support this tradition that has inspired generations to protect our waterways." -
Clean Ocean Action's goal is to improve the degraded water quality of the marine waters off the New Jersey/New York coast, using research, education, and advocacy action to unite and empower people to protect the ocean.
Mike Kestin of Municipal Events Services, who has presented many festivals food and concert events in Asbury Psrk and throughout New Jersey, is also assisting the Festival.
The Matt O'Ree Band will headline the Festival. The lineup also includes: The Wag, The Black Ties, Poppa John Bug & The Experience, Spook Handy, Sharleen Leahey and Diane Doolittle, and Hunter and the Cold Hearts Club.
Interested food trucks and food vendors and merchandise vendors should contact: Mike Kestin at: [email protected] or call (908) 801-6008.
