Festive Weekend Coming up at the Jersey Shore

And by that we mean a weekend full of festivals! Spring is almost here, and life at the shore is getting busy. So let’s see what we can do this upcoming weekend.

The Garden State Film Festival will take place in Asbury Park at the Paramount Theater, from March 31st till April 3rd. It was founded in 2002 to promote the art of filmmaking on all levels by showcasing a wide variety of film, video and animated works as well as provide educational programs in the creative arts to the public by industry leaders. Check the event’s website for this year’s schedule.

Atlantic City is hosting the 6th Annual Beer Festival, Friday and Saturday. The celebration of the suds has grown to be one of AC’s most anticipated event. Hosting over 100 brewers and breweries from around the world. The 2010 sold out event saw over 17,000 plus attendees. This year, thousands of excited beer lovers will again flock to the Atlantic City Convention Center to partake in the brother and sister hood of brew. Participating breweries include Dog Fish Head, Brooklyn Brewery, Great Lakes, Troegs, Boulder, Flying Fish, Stone, Left Hand, Magic Hat and many more.

Also in AC you have the Boardwalk Rodeo, the first rodeo to take place in Atlantic City and the biggest such event on the East Coast! In over 2-½ hours of non-stop rodeo action, fans will witness all the events of the rodeo scene. From the thrilling bareback, tie down and team roping events, to the electrifying saddle bronc, steer wrestling, barrel racing and bull riding events. It will be hosted by the Boardwalk Hall, Friday & Saturday at 7:30pm and Sunday at 1:00pm.

April 1st marks also the kick-off of the Jersey Shore Restaurant Week, a wonderful opportunity to re-visit your favorite restaurants and try new ones. Participating restaurants will offer a three course menu for $20.11 or $30.11 with three appetizer, three entree and three dessert choices. Check the event website for special events. The kick-off party if this Thursday at the Dauphin Grille in Asbury Park.

If you’re looking to rent a house at the shore, check out ShoreVacations.com, Jersey Shore’s biggest vacation rentals resource. It lists hundreds of rental homes and condos from Sandy Hook all the way down to Cape May (including Belmar, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Ocean City, Long Beach Island, Atlantic City or the Wildwoods). It’s a one-stop website for planning your Jersey Shore vacation, featuring beach information, weather updates and more! And of course, it has a full list of all the Jersey Shore events this year.