While the Jersey Shore most definitely shines during the summer months, it has plenty more to offer when the heat subsides and the leaves begin to fall. Here we outline just a few of the major events occurring on the Wildwoods island this autumn season. For a complete list, be sure to consult the Wildwoods Event Calendar at www.wildwoodsnj.com.
North Wildwood
Boots at the Beach
Friday, September 18th from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: North Wildwood Entertainment District
Festival will be held at the North Wildwood Entertainment District, along Olde New Jersey Avenue, featuring country music, vendors, crafts and food from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Admission to the festival is FREE! Friday night’s “Bar Hoodang” will feature country bands and DJ’s in all bars in the North Wildwood Entertainment District. On Saturday, Olde New Jersey Avenue comes alive with sights and sounds of a country fair with vendors lining the street selling clothing, wares and all things country! Refreshments, food and live country music on an outdoor stage will take place all day long into the night. Saturday night’s featured bands are Philbilly, Shot Of Southern, and Silver Creek, who will play in surrounding establishments. For more details, call 609.770.8839 or visit http://www.BootsAtTheBeach.com.
North Wildwood Irish Festival
Friday, September 24th to 27th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: North Wildwood Entertainment District
The largest Irish Festival on the East Coast celebrating Irish heritage with dancing, music, food and craft vendors along Olde New Jersey Avenue and surrounding pubs in North Wildwood. 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Bus service available throughout the event dates. Other festivities include a golf tournament, concert, Irish dance lessons, 5K run and 1 mile walk, pipe exhibition, and Catholic mass. The events conclude with a parade on Surf Avenue from 20th to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood. For more info call 800.IRISH.91 or 609.729.0075, or visit http://www.CMCAOH.com. For a detailed schedule of daily events, visit www.cmcaoh.com/pdf/iff/2015/savedate.pdf
Ed’s Funcade Boardwalk Treasure Hunt
Saturday, October 3rd at 12 p.m.
Where: Ed’s Funcade, 22nd and 23rd Avenues, North Wildwood
Treasure hunt for kids under age 12 in the hay! Noon – 2 p.m. FREE. 609.729.3223 or http://www.EdsFuncade.com
Greater Wildwood Elks Halloween Haunted House
Saturday, October 31st from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Elks Lodge, 109 West 1st Avenue, North Wildwood
Trick-or-treaters walk through a “haunted house” and receive treats at the Elks Lodge, 109 West 1st Avenue, in North Wildwood from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. Free! For more info, call 609.729.2170.
North Wildwood Halloween Trunk or Treat
Saturday, October 31st at 5:30 p.m.
Where: Municipal Lot, 2nd and Olde New Jersey Avenue, North Wildwood
A family fun event! 5 p.m. registration/check in. 5:30 – 7 p.m. event. Families are encouraged to bring their automobiles decorated for Halloween. Children will come in costume and visit each car where families will provide treats from the trunks of their cars. There will be no judging of the children’s costumes, but prizes will be awarded to the vehicles with the best decorations. No fee to register. Forms are available at 900 Central Avenue, North Wildwood. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Parking for visitors available in the municipal lot at 2nd & Olde New Jersey Avenue. 609.522.2955 or http://www.NorthWildwood.com
Wildwood
New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention
Thursday, September 17th to Saturday, September 19th
Where: Throughout Wildwood
Wildwoods Convention Center. The Annual Convention of the New Jersey State Firemen and Life Members. Sat: 2 p.m. – parade on New Jersey Avenue from Cresse Avenue in Wildwood Crest, proceeding north to 20th Avenue in North Wildwood. 856.433.0386 or http://www.njsfa.com
Boardwalk Classic Car Show and Auction
Thursday, September 24th to Sunday, September 27th
Annual car auction of ‘muscle’ and classic cars will take place in the Wildwoods Convention Center. Vendors will have memorabilia, collectibles, parts and accessories. Thursday: Preview from noon – 7 p.m., preview party 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., Friday auction: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m.; Saturday auction: 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. (times subject to change) FREE admission for spectators! 609.522.4546 or http://www.WildwoodMotorEvents.com
Olde Time Italian Festival
Friday, October 2nd to Saturday, October 3rd
Where: Fox Park, Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues, Wildwood
Event is held at Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues in Wildwood. An ‘Olde World’ family festival weekend including crafts, games, great Italian food and continuous FREE live entertainment! A grape stomping contest and spaghetti eating contest will both take place on Saturday from 3-4:30 p.m. Admission to the festival is FREE. Friday: 5 p.m til midnight; Saturday: noon til midnight. 609.374.0016 or http://www.SonsOfItalyWildwood.org
Seafood & Music Festival
Saturday, October 10th from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger Avenues, Wildwood
The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce will host a FREE street fair from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger Avenues in Wildwood. The festival will feature 2 stages of live music,crafters, food vendors, a pie eating contest and much more! A “Kids Korner” with activities including pumpkin painting, face painting and bounce houses will take place from noon – 5 p.m. 609.729.4000 or http://www.wildwoods.com/
Wildwoods Boardwalk Pumpkin Run
Saturday, October 24th at 10 a.m.
Where: Begins at the Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood
The Wildwoods Boardwalk Pumpkin Run is a ghoulishly fun and exciting family event for all ages Halloween Weekend. This festive boardwalk event offers a 5K run along with a 1 mile family walk, starting at 10 a.m. – rain or shine. Registration begins at 9 a.m. inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. Participants are encouraged to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes to vie for the prizes in the best dressed categories of Family, Youth, Infant, and Best All Around. All proceeds benefit the Elementary Schools of the Wildwoods. $25 for adults; $10 for those 18 and under. All participants will receive a Pumpkin Run T-shirt. http://www.BoardwalkPumpkinRun.com or 609.849.8887
Wildwood Crest
Wildwood Crest Seafarers’ Celebration
Friday September 25th to Saturday, September 26th
Where: Centennial Park, Ocean Avenue, Wildwood Crest
Celebration kicks off Friday night at Centennial Park with live music at 7:30 p.m. and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. (fireworks rain date is Sat. at 9 p.m.) Saturday features a festival along Sunset Lake at New Jersey Avenue between Rambler Road & Miami Avenue. Dozens of craft and food vendors, family entertainment, live music, children’s activities including a rock-climbing wall, karaoke, stunt bike show, pony rides, magic show, pie-eating & bubble gum blowing contests, and much more from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. FREE admission! 609.523.0202 or http://www.VisitWildwoodCrest.com
The Wildwoods Hydrofest Powerboat Racing
Saturday, October 3rd and Sunday, October 4th at 9a.m.
Where: Sunset Lake, Wildwood Crest
Held on Sunset Lake at Rambler Road and New Jersey Avenue in Wildwood Crest. The Wildwoods Hydrofest is an exciting international powerboat racing event, coupled with a 6-block festival of craft, merchandise and food vendors, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. Races begin at 10 a.m. daily. Inboard powered hydroplanes and flatbottoms will compete on a one-mile oval course in full view of the spectator area. Race boats range in size from 12 to 23 feet and will reach speeds between 80 and 140 mph! Race teams will compete for American Power Boat Association national points as well as the prestigious NJ Governor’s Cup (an award for outstanding performance by a boat racing team).FREE for spectators! For fans who want to see the race boats up close and talk to the drivers and crews, pit passes can be purchased at the event for $10. Event is handicapped/wheelchair accessible. For more information call 609.886.8156 or visit http://www.WildwoodsHydrofest.org.
Trunk-or-Treat for Halloween
Thursday, October 29th at 6 p.m.
Where: Wildwood Crest Pier, Wildwood Crest
The Wildwood Crest Recreation Department will host the annual Halloween Eve Trunk-or-Treat family event at 6 p.m. The event consists of parents/adults bringing their Halloween-decorated vehicles to the Wildwood Crest Pier parking lot at Heather Road and Ocean Avenue, where they will distribute candy from the trunks of their vehicles to children outfitted for Halloween. The event includes other Halloween related activities, a DJ, refreshments and prizes awarded to the best decorated vehicles. Trunk-or-Treat is a free event, but vehicles must be pre-registered. Registration forms are available at the Crest Pier Recreation Center. 609.523.0202 or http://www.VisitWildwoodCrest.com