Asbury Park Zest The Rainbow Issue Summer 2015 | Page 25

S

ome might think July 11 is a bit early
for a seaside Halloween party when
the first Asbury Park Promenade of
Mermaids inspires participants to get their “sea
whimsy” on by becoming mermaids, mermen,
pirates, sea creatures and anything else seaappropriate. Consider it an Asbury Park Sea
celebration.
This will happen because of one special
visionary, Jenn Mehm, who lived in Asbury Park
for years before moving to Sacramento, CA,
but returned two years ago because of an
enduring case of homesickness. While in California, in 2011, she organized the Sacramento
Promenade of Mermaids, now an annual event
in its fifth year.
“I always knew Asbury was going to take
off and it did pretty much right after I left in
2000,” says Mehm, who goes by Jenn Meh
on Facebook. “I was always homesick for the
East Coast. I came back in 2007 to visit and
saw how great it was becoming. And then I got
more and more homesick. I knew I wanted to
move back to Asbury because it’s the greatest
place. I love that you can walk to the beach,
stores and restaurants. It’s a very happening
place. People always want to visit Asbury, so I
get a lot of visitors.”
Asbury Park’s Promenade of Mermaids may
not have been possible without the help and
support of one of Asbury Park Boardwalk’s
most visible restaurateurs, Marilyn Schlossbach.
Mehm is eternally grateful to Marilyn, who
owns popular Langosta Lounge, Pop’s Garage,

Asbury Park Yacht Club, Libby’s Beach Shack
and Lightly Salted, all on the 3rd Avenue
Pavilion.
“I think this will be a very fun and successful
event for Asbury Park,” says Mehm. “It's a perfect fit that I hope will become a new tradition.”
The magical jaunt begins at the north end of
the Asbury Park Boardwalk with registration
(not mandatory), but is highly recommended if
you want to win prizes in the costume contest.
Pre-registration is for free until June 30.
After that, register the day of the event for $5
from 10:00 am to noon. You will need to be
assigned a number at the registration table
before the noon Promenade begins. Prizes will
be given for Best Costume and Runner Up for
adults (ages 15 and up), with first, second and
third place prizes in the children’s category
(ages 14 and younger).
Other prizes will be furnished by local businesses, and mini-golf tickets will be discounted.
Adults will receive an admission discount to Surf
Fest 2.
There will be an After Party at Asbury Park
Yacht Club on the Boardwalk with music and
mermaid-inspired vendors. An information
booth will be set up between Third and Fourth
Aves for further questions.
Although she has dressed as a mermaid on
several occasions, Mehm’s also morphed into a
jellyfish and a sea monkey. This year, however, look for her among the lobsters, pirates,
walruses, octopi, fish and sharks. She’ll be the
seahorse. What will you be?

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