There are going to be bright lights, big stars and lots of ballyhoo at the New Jersey Hall of Fame Class of 2018 induction ceremony on Sunday at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park.

But for the Smithereens, who are among this year’s inductees, thoughts will be with a member who is not there. Pat DiNizio, the band’s frontman, passed away in December 2017 at the age of 62.

He’s going in posthumously.

“I wish Pat was here for it because he would have really, really dug this sort of thing,” said Smithereens guitarist Jim Babjak of Manalapan. The band has continued with a rotating set of singers, including Marshall Crenshaw and Robin Wilson from the Gin Blossoms.

“We’re moving forward,” said Babjak, a native of Carteret. “I never liked the term moving on because that implies that you’re leaving the past behind. We want to embrace the past and move forward.”

The guys, from Carteret and Scotch Plains, will be in town all weekend as they play the Stone Pony in Asbury Park on Saturday with Crenshaw out in front.

As for the rest of the new Hall of Fame class, other inductees include Southside Johnny Lyon; “Game of Thrones” author George R.R. Martin; TV personality Martha Stewart; “Seinfeld” star Jason Alexander; Olympic gymnast Laurie Hernandez; restaurateur, musician and philanthropist Tim McLoone; long-time Star-Ledger sports columnist Jerry Izenberg; and “Jaws” author Peter Benchley, who also is going in posthumously.

The show actually begins in the Grand Arcade between the Paramount and Convention Hall around 5 p.m. as the red carpet action heats up.

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“They’re going to see some of the most high-profile personalities on the planet walking up that red carpet,” said Steve Edwards, president of the New Jersey Hall of Fame. “People from all walks of life, actors and actresses, sports legends and iconic people — lots of exciting personalities.”

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The inductees were voted in by the Hall of Fame board and by a fan vote.

“We get to know them for their excellence in their fields, but for them to get into the Hall of Fame, we need to know what do they do besides that,” said Jon F. Hanson, New Jersey Hall of Fame chairman. “They’re successful in whatever their field is, but how do they help society?”

Such as McLoone, of Little Silver, whose Holiday Express shows bring seasonal joy to those who would not otherwise have access to such a show.

“I am extremely honored to be inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame,” said McLoone in a statement. “I have lived in New Jersey for the majority of my life and there is no place I would rather be. I started my businesses here, raised my family here, performed thousands of shows here, made lasting friendships here, and ran in and coached hundreds of races here. There is no place better to live in than Monmouth County.”

The Hall itself is on the move. It’s destination: American Dream, the new retail and amusement center at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford. There will be Hall of Fame pop-ups starting in fall 2020, and a permanent museum by 2021, officials say.

The ceremony on Sunday will raise funds for the museum. A handful of balcony tickets were available as of press time. Jack Ford is the emcee. The Smithereens and more will perform. The house band will be led by Carl Gentry.

“It’s an awards ceremony, but we got spiced into it music, performance and comedy,” Edwards said. “It’s a very entertaining and inspirational type of ceremony.”

2018 Class of Inductees

ARTS AND LETTERS: Author Peter Benchley**, Pennington; sports columnist Jerry Izenberg, Neptune; “Game of Thrones” author George R. R. Martin, Bayonne; photographer Timothy White, Fort Lee.

ENTERPRISE: Businessman J. Fletcher Creamer Sr.**, Saddle River; businessman F.M. Kirby II**, Harding; restaurateur, entrepreneur Tim McLoone, Little Silver; businesswoman Mary Roebling**, Trenton; businessman Arthur F. Ryan, Newark; businesswoman/TV personality Martha Stewart*, Nutley.

PERFORMING ARTS: Actor Jason Alexander, Livingston; musician Southside Johnny Lyon, Neptune; musicians The Smithereens, Carteret, Scotch Plains.

PUBLIC SERVICE: Activist Elizabeth Allen**, Hoboken; physician, professor Victor Parsonnet, Newark.

SPORTS: Former New York Giants football player Harry Carson, Franklin Lakes; basketball player, coach Anne Donovan**, Ridgewood; gymnast Laurie Hernandez, Old Bridge; former New York Giant Bart Oates, Harding.

*Previously selected; **Being honored posthumously.

Chris Jordan, a Jersey Shore native, covers entertainment and features for the USA Today Network New Jersey. His multiple awards include recognition for stories on Bruce Springsteen and Snooki. Contact him at @chrisfhjordan; cjordan@app.com. Stay with app.com or consider a subscription today.

New Jersey Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

When: 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 27 (Red Carpet begins 5 p.m. in the Grand Arcade of Convention Hall)

Where: Paramount Theatre, 1300 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park

Tickets: $75

Info: www.apboardwalk.com