With Memorial Day Weekend around the corner, the Wildwoods have planned Memorial Day Monday remembrance ceremonies, as well as a jam-packed weekend of fun events to kick off the 2019 summer season.
Tourism officials foresee the potential for the 2019 Wildwoods’ season to be even bigger than years past with the help of an improved economy, new FREE events and attractions, new eateries, fun festivals and events and free weekly concerts.
Memorial Day Weekend events, taking place Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27, include:
Official Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony
Friday, May 24 – Noon
It’s time to get your feet sandy – the fun begins at noon on Friday, May 24 on the beach at Andrews Avenue next to the Wildwoods Convention Center where state, county and local tourism and city officials, guest speakers and over 300 elementary school children will participate in the ceremony to officially unlock the ocean with the Wildwoods’ large, ornate ‘W’ key. Colorful kites in the air will serve as the backdrop as the International Kit Festival simultaneously gets underway. Children will join the fun as they fly kites they made earlier that morning in kite-making workshops inside the Convention Center. This event is FREE to attend and everyone is welcome. For more information call 609-729-9000 or visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com.
Wildwoods International Kite Festival
Friday, May 24 – Monday, May 27
The 34th Annual Wildwoods International Kite Festival, the largest kite festival in North America, features kite makers from around the world flying their most incredible colorful creations. The Kite Festival is free to spectators, and kicks off on Friday, May 24 at noon with the Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony on the beach at Andrews Avenue south of the Wildwoods Convention Center. Kite festivities follow with the opening of the Kite Sales tent, a Friday night kite social, and the 9 p.m. illuminated kite fly. Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26 include the East Coast Stunt Kite Championships on the beach as well as kite workshops and family games. Monday, May 27 will feature the World Indoor Kite Competition inside the Wildwoods Convention Center where skilled kite fliers will showcase their impressive ability to fly a kite without wind with intricate choreography. For more information call 732-822-4884 or visit www.SkyFestivals.com.
Regional Gymnastics Championships
Friday, May 24 – Sunday, May 26
The Regional Gymnastics Championships return to the Wildwoods Convention Center from Friday, May 24 through Sunday, May 26. Hosted by the United States Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs, the Championships feature talented athletes competing on the floor, balance beam, uneven bars, and vault. An exhibition will be held Friday, May 24 from 9:30 a.m. – 9 p.m. Competitions for events will be held on Saturday, May 25 from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.; and Sunday, May 26 from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults and $10 for children. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. For more information call 609-704-9700 or visit www.usaigcnj.com.
Downtown Wildwood Farmer’s Market Season Six Kick-off
Saturday, May 25
The Downtown Wildwood Farmer’s Market kicks off its sixth season Saturday, May 25 from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., rain or shine at Byrne Plaza at Oak and Pacific Avenues. The Farmer’s Market will continue every Saturday throughout the summer season from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. through Labor Day weekend, rain or shine. The market features locally grown, fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, plants, local honey, nuts, tea products, meats, cheeses, gourmet herb mixes, handmade soaps, fresh made salads, local wine, hand made goods, and much more. There will be live music, family entertainment and a live broadcast from 98.7 The Coast Radio every week. FREE parking is available. For more information, call 609-523-1602 or visit www.DOOWW.com.
Boardwalk Craft Show
Saturday, May 25 – Sunday, May 26
Also happening in the Wildwoods Memorial Day Weekend is the Boardwalk Craft Show on the Boardwalk at Rio Grande Avenue. This event features craft vendors displaying all handmade products on Saturday, May 25 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday, May 26 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. This event is free to attend, and is rain or shine. For more information visit www.BoardwalkCrafts.com.
NEW! Downtown Wildwood Inaugural Bacon Lovers Festival
Saturday, May 25 – Monday, May 27
This is an entire event for bacon lovers! Food trucks & local tent vendors, artisan & bacon related vendors, a DJ & live bands will fill Byrne Plaza for the weekend! There will be FREE family & kids’ activities along with wine and craft beer tasting and sales. A bacon eating contest will take place on Sunday. Hours for the festival are Saturday 2-10 p.m., Sunday noon – 10 p.m., and Monday, noon – 6 p.m. For additional information about the Downtown Wildwood Inaugural Bacon Lovers Fest, call 732-330-3248 or visit www.DOOWW.com.
FREE Summer Kickoff Concert
Sunday, May 26 – 7:30 p.m.
Wildwood Crest’s Summer Kickoff Concert will take place on Sunday, May 26 in Centennial Park, Fern Road and Ocean Avenue, at 7:30 p.m. The FREE outdoor all-ages concert will feature dance and party hits by Kevin Miller’s “Smashed” – marking an exciting start to the summer season. Bring your friends and family out for an incredible time, and don’t forget to bring your beach or lawn chair! For more information, call 609-523-0202 or visit www.VisitWildwoodCrest.com.
Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremonies
Monday, May 27
The Wildwoods offer not only fun events, but also solemn ceremonies for remembrance and reflection to honor our veterans and active service persons who gave and continue to give the ultimate sacrifice for their country
On Monday, May 27, residents and visitors alike are invited to pay their respects during a ceremony at the North Wildwood Veterans Monument at Spruce and New York Avenues in North Wildwood starting at 10 a.m., hosted by VFW Post 5941. There will also be a service earlier that morning at 9:30 a.m. at the Hereford Inlet Lighthouse flagpole where the names of the VFW Post 5941 members who have died since last Memorial Day will be read and their service honored.
At 11 a.m. a ceremony hosted at the Wildwood American Legion Post #184 at 4200 Atlantic Avenue, Wildwood, will take place featuring speakers, recognition of deceased comrades, a Color Guard Gun Salute, “Taps” and wreath laying ceremonies at the post, the Memorial Walk, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Police Explorers, along with the Wildwood Beach Patrol, will also lay a wreath in the ocean behind the Wildwoods Convention Center. The Wildwood Memorial Day Ceremony will be hosted by the Vietnam Veterans Chapter 955 and the American Legion Post #184. For more information, call 609-522-3613.
Be sure to visit the official Wildwoods website at www.WildwoodsNJ.com for the most up-to-date information and details about upcoming events and additional information about the Wildwoods, or call 800-992-9732 or 609-729-9000.