Labor Day Weekend 2003
When We Dye the Ocean Green in Allenhurst, New Jersey
This page last modified on September 1, 2003.
One of the more peculiar and entertaining traditions in my home town occurs every
Labor Day weekend at the local beach club. As part of an annual end of summer
celebration, the ocean is dyed green. As per local newspaper The Coaster (Asbury Park,
732-775-3010), "the tradition has been carried on since 1943 beginning with Bob Fountain,
owner of Bubbleland Kiddie Rides in Asbury Park, and the late Ernie Lass, editor of the
Asbury Park Press. The story goes that there was some extra dye in Fountain's cabana, leftoever
from Bubbleland. He and Lass decided to see what it would look like in the ocean. The rest, as
they say, is history."
I've lived in this town for six years, and this was the first time that I've been around to witness the event.
We had a gorgeous day for the festivities, although the surf was a bit rough that day -- notice the red
flags at the south beach denoting no swimming. Bathers were permitted to venture into the surf at the north beach,
though, and no one emerged from the water wearing newly-green bathing suits or sporting a green tan. :)
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