Red Bank Could Be Sippin' on the River this Summer

Good food, good drinks, and Red Bank’s best view.

Organizers of Red Bank Flavour’s newest culinary concept, Sippin’ on the River, think they’ve found the recipe for another successful food fair. Scheduled for the last weekend in June, the event is expected to feature gourmet food from the borough eateries, beer and wine, and a great view of the Navesink River from Marine Park.  

“It’s just Flavour, dude,” Bistro and Teak Co-owner and Flavour Founder George Lyristis said of the motivation to develop another foodie event. “It’s going to be an event where we can give back to the community while promoting the town like we always do.”

Lyristis said the new food event was conceptualized about a year ago and has gone through the planning process and was submitted to the borough’s special events committee. Sippin’ on the River was given the green light by Red Bank Council Wednesday night pending the adoption of an as of yet non-existent set of standards for special events.

The new guidelines will help the borough better establish control over events that offer alcohol on public property, though they’re not expected to interfere with plans for Sippin’ on the River.

Borough Administrator Stanley Sickles said Red Bank has frowned on having alcohol in its parks, even when it comes to special events, but that the success of events like Red Bank RiverCenter’s Red Bank Guinness Oyster Festival, also held in conjunction with Flavour, show that it can be done properly.

The event was given support from mayor and council, but Mayor Pat Menna said events that have alcohol, like Oyster Fest, and, presumably, Sippin’ on the River, require additional planning, necessary safeguards, and a larger police presence. All of that costs the taxpayer money, he said. But, while the finer details need to be ironed out, he said he’s looking forward to the event.

Sippin’ on the River will join a number of culinary events that dot Red Bank’s calendar. In addition to Sippin’, Marine Park is also home to Red Bank RiverFest, an annual event that attracts thousands of visitors to the borough. Flavour also hosts a number of events throughout the year, including Night on the Navesink and Holiday Flavour.

Like all Flavour events, Lyristis said proceeds raised would benefit Flavour’s promotional campaign and a charity to be determined. In the past, Flavour has helped raises money for Red Bank public schools and Red Bank Regional High School. Lyristis said he’d like Red Bank’s first responders, its fire department, first aid squad, or both, to be Sippin’ on the River’s beneficiaries.

Ultimately, Lyristis said Sippin’ would be another great event for Red Bank.

“We’re just trying to keep Red Bank relevant,” he said.

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