Matawan to host second SharkFest on Saturday BY JOHN SUTTON Correspondent MATAWAN - When the word shark was mentioned in Matawan during the summer of 1916, it struck immediate fear and dread in residents. On Saturday, the public will be reminded of the attacks that caused that fear, but this time it will be with an educational and celebratory approach. The borough will host the second annual SharkFest from 4-9 p.m. July 21 at the Matawan Community Center and Terhune Park, Broad and South streets. The day will begin with a 3 p.m. memorial service at Rose Hill Cemetery at the graves of Lester Stillwell and Watson Stanley Fisher, who both lost their lives on July 13, 1916, in a shark attack in Matawan Creek. Dr. Richard G. Fernicola, author of the book "Twelve Days of Terror," which was the basis for a documentary of the same name, will be at the event. Fernicola will be signing copies of his book, presenting the documentary, which has been shown on the Discovery Channel, and guiding tours throughout Matawan that will point out the sequence of events from 1916. Fernicola's presence at the event adds a recognizable name and notoriety to the event, said Sharen Laporta, a trustee with the Matawan Alliance and the event chair for SharkFest. Fernicola is able to draw people from areas beyond the borough, such as Philadelphia, New England and even England, Laporta said. "He adds the historic education of what happened," Laporta said. "He is considered to be the expert on that particular history, the shark attacks of 1916, not just in Matawan, but the other attacks that happened along the Jersey Shore." "Twelve Days of Terror" will be airing at various times throughout the day along with documentaries produced by a dive team called Dive the Voyager, along with the Shark Research Institute, of Princeton. The goal of this event is to educate those in attendance about diving with sharks in the Northeast. "It adds a really great balance to the event because obviously the shark attacks of 1916 draw a lot of fear," Laporta said. "One thing is that we're trying not to create fear and have people not swim in the ocean. So, it's great to have these experts presenting expeditions diving with sharks to the audience." Jenkinson's Aquarium will provide activities for children ages 4-8, giving a little something to do for shark enthusiasts of all ages. To end the day, the band C.O.D will be performing from 7-9 p.m. There will also be rides and vendors to round out the multifaceted event. A portion of the proceeds from the event will go toward a memorial to the victims of the 1916 shark attack. A rain date is scheduled for July 22. For more information, call the Matawan Alliance at (732) 765-9739.