Belmar scales back seafood festival that became too popular

A Jersey shore town is scaling back a popular Memorial Day weekend festival that forced officials to close roads for four hours this year.

Belmar’s council has decided to hold the annual seafood festival on May 14 and May 15, with an unadvertised night on May 13. The council also eliminated a fireworks display and told its tourism director to curtail marketing of the event.

Officials estimated 200,000 people attended the three-day event this year.

Mayor Matt Doherty tells the Asbury Park Press officials hope moving the seafood festival to two weekends before Memorial Day will reduce the crowds.

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