RED BANK GETS GRANT FOR WORLD CUP CELEBRATION

Monmouth FC at Count Basie Park, where World Cup watch parties will be held in June and July.

By BRIAN DONOHUE

The state of New Jersey is throwing Red Bank some money to throw a World Cup party this summer as the world’s largest sporting event comes to the Garden State.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill Wednesday announced $5 million in grants New Jersey will disburse to 34 organizations to hold one-time events like watch parties, concerts, multi-day festivals and other events tied to the soccer tournament.

Red Bank netted $50,000 for what officials called a “multi-location public event,” including public watch parties at Count Basie Park.

New Jersey will host eight World Cup matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford this June and July. The purpose of the state grant program is to help spread some of the economic benefit of the event to more communities statewide.

Sherrill cancelled plans her predecessor Phil Murphy had for a 39-day fan fest at Liberty State Park in Jersey City.

In a press release, borough officials touted the Red Bank event’s potential to draw visitors and bring the local community together.

“Our Red Bank community knows how to show up with energy, creativity, and heart,'” Mayor Billy Portman wrote in the press release. “This $50,000 grant gives us the opportunity to turn that spirit into something truly special through our World Cup activation series.”

Officials cited the support of the borough’s grant application by the downtown business-promotion agency Red Bank Rivercenter; FC Monmouth, the semiprofessional football club that plays home games at Count Basie Park and the office of State Sen. Vin Gopal.

“It’s always exciting to see what happens when we collaborate with partners across sectors and throughout the region around a shared goal,” Portman said. “I can’t wait to see Count Basie Park buzzing with soccer fans and that Red Bank energy spreading far beyond our town.”

Additional programming details, activation dates, sponsorship opportunities, volunteer information, and community participation announcements will be released in the coming months, according to the press release.

The full list of state grant recipients is available here.

redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.

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