Local Life

Retro Fair Haven Family Day at the Beach

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It’s just beachy! The whole scene.

And it’s a daily family affair for most Rumson-Fair Haven area people — hitting the beach. It’s always been that way. Sea Bright club, from sun up to sun down or public. Packing it all in and getting beached is downright habitual among area people. This look back to the 1970s of the Fair Haven Drake family embodies that family beach vibe.

That was quite a groovy clan. The bathing suits were hip, the bandana was happening and the family patriarch paid a visit, it looks like, on a work break, perhaps? Hey, he’s all dressed up, not beachy, but vibing. Always.

Mom, Nancy Drake, who was a popular volunteer in many capacities, also had a very cool yellow VW bug that made her pretty famous in Fair Haven parts. But, on the beach, it was just the sun, sand and water that they travelled — sort of. Then there was the baking on the beach. Tanning, that is. Not that there’s anything wrong with that …

Decades ago, it was very “in” to slather on the baby oil with iodine and bake under the sun and in the surf for the deepest tan. The Drakes are a testament to the top tan.

Remember the foil-covered album cover to intensify the tanning experience? That’s something kids nowadays would never try at home. Tanning aside, there are all sorts of beach day master plans, and on a daily basis around Rumson and Fair Haven. What was your family beach day routine then? Now?

— Photo/courtesy of Robin Drake Fitch