This story, part of a special entertainment section on Bruce Springsteen, originally appeared in the Asbury Park Press on July 11, 2003.<\/p>\n
The mini-boardwalk that fans enjoyed during Bruce Springsteen’s 1999 shows at the Meadowlands is back, bringing beachy fun to North Jersey.<\/p>\n
The Meadowlands Boardwalk area, covering about 175,000 square feet, opens Tuesday and will stay up throughout Springsteen’s 10-night engagement and Bon Jovi’s two shows at the stadium. It will also be open to visitors during other events at the complex, such as the July 31 soccer game between Manchester United and Juventus, and the Aug. 3 Italian Super Cup soccer game between A.C. Milan and Juventus.<\/p>\n
On the days of Springsteen’s shows, the boardwalk will be open from 3 to 7:15 p.m. It will be set up on the East side of Giants Stadium in parking lot 10\/12, between gates B and C, near the walk-over bridge.<\/p>\n
A 48-foot Ferris wheel, a sand volleyball court, and a concert stage are the main attractions. Boardwalk games \u2014a Spyro water race, fat-cat ball toss, hoop shoot basketball, crazy can bean bag toss, a dunk tank and a high striker \u2014 can be played.<\/p>\n
Snacks \u2014 hot dogs, burgers, sausage and pepper sandwiches, saltwater taffy, fudge, cotton candy, funnel cakes, zeppoles, Italian ices, soft-serve ice cream, fresh-squeezed lemonade and beer \u2014 can be consumed.<\/p>\n
Each night, 1,000 Meadowlands Boardwalk “beach badges” will be distributed as souvenirs.<\/p>\n
Local bands will be playing outside Giants Stadium before the Bruce Springsteen shows.<\/p>\n
Admission to the boardwalk is free.<\/p>\n
To celebrate the prominence of the native New Jersey bands on tour, the stadium will be hung with a 50-foot-by-180-foot banner saluting Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, and Bon Jovi. The banners will hang facing the Meadowlands Boardwalk.<\/p>\n
The Bruce banner was to have been installed yesterday, weather permitting, and will be up for the 10-day run. The Bon Jovi banner will be installed on Aug. 4 or 5, weather permitting, and will be up for the Aug. 7 and 8 shows.<\/p>\n
A 40-foot-by-60-foot stage with canopy cover and grandstands will showcase local bands. Weekdays have one band scheduled, with two on weekends. On weekdays, bands will play from 5:15 to 6 p.m. On weekends, the first band will play from 3 to 4:45 p.m., and the second from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m.<\/p>\n
The tentative band schedule follows, subject to change:<\/p>\n
Tuesday: Boccigalupe and the Badboys<\/p>\n
Thursday : Dog Voices<\/p>\n
July 18 : New Blood Revival<\/p>\n
July 21: No Discipline<\/p>\n
July 24: JoBonanno and the Godsons of Soul<\/p>\n
July 26: Asbury Fever, Next Big Thing<\/p>\n
July 27: Silvercord, Rory Daniels Band<\/p>\n
Aug. 3: TBA<\/p>\n
Aug. 7: TBA<\/p>\n
Aug. 8 : TBA<\/p>\n
Aug. 28: Exit 105<\/p>\n
Aug. 30: The Joneses, The Nerds<\/p>\n
Aug. 31: Jade Fire, Why Not?<\/p>\n