The Wildwoods – The summer vacation season may be winding down, but the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA) is working to ensure that crowds both near and far keep coming back to the Wildwoods throughout the fall season.
As school begins again and the leaves start to change, the fun in the Wildwoods continues with anticipation of dozens of scheduled festivals, conventions, races, car shows, tournaments and competitions through October.
GWTIDA promotes fall events as a means of filling hotel rooms and restaurant seats during what would otherwise be a slower tourism season. GWTIDA calls this period from Labor Day Weekend through the end of October the ‘Wildwoods Second Season.’
“Although many shore towns take a break as the temperatures cool, the Wildwoods still remain a lively place,” executive director of GWTIDA John Siciliano said. “Hosting special events and themed weekends has been a proven method to bring business to our local hotels and restaurants during the fall months,” he added.
The Wildwoods’ ‘Second Season’ begins right after Labor Day Weekend and extends through the end of October – attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and generating millions in additional tourism revenue.
September 2014
Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally – September 4 – 7
‘Second Season’ in the Wildwoods kicks off this year in September after Labor Day with the Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally, one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the northeast. Starting Thursday, September 4 through Sunday, September 7. Hours are 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday. Enjoy motorcycle vendors, food and merchandise, live entertainment and more activities surrounding the Wildwoods Convention Center and at Oak and Atlantic Avenues.
Mummers String Band Show – September 6
Takes place along Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood featuring the top nine String Bands from this year’s New Year’s Day Philadelphia Mummers Parade. Entertainment begins on the street at 3:30 p.m. featuring the Duffy String Band and the Philadelphia Mummers Chorus. Mummers strut contest begins at 4 p.m. followed by the Mummers Parade at 4:45 p.m.
Annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention – September 11 – 13
The Annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention takes place from Thursday, September 11 through Saturday, September 13, attracting thousands of firemen and their families to the five-mile island for meetings, seminars, exhibits and other events.
The Wildwoods Hydrofest Powerboat Races – September 13 – 14
The Wildwoods 2014 Hydrofest Powerboat Races take place Saturday, September 13 and Sunday, September 14. Hydrofest is a weekend of high-speed, pulse-pounding powerboat action featuring the fastest hydroplanes, runabouts and Jersey Speed Skiffs the country has to offer – reaching speeds up to 140 MPH on Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest, located at Rambler Road and New Jersey Avenue. This year the Wildwoods have added a new attraction to this already heart-pounding action-packed event. EPIC – the Eastern Pro Inboard Championship Series – is a new progressive points series in addition to the traditional multi-class American Power Boat Association (APBA). Races begin at 10 a.m. daily.
Boardwalk Classic Car Show and Classic Car Auction – September 18 – 21
The following weekend, Thursday, September 18 through Sunday, September 21, is fit for classic car enthusiasts. The Boardwalk Classic Car Show and Classic Car Auction will be held on the Wildwoods Boardwalk and at the Wildwoods Convention Center with FREE admission. The Classic Car Auction begins on Thursday, September 18 with a preview from 3 – 10 p.m. The auction is Friday, September 19 from noon – 10 p.m. and Saturday, September 20 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Boardwalk Classic Car Show is from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20.
The Wildwoods’ Irish Fall Festival – September 18 – 21
The Wildwoods’ Irish Fall Festival – the largest Irish festival on the East Coast, will take place on Olde New Jersey Avenue and surrounding pubs in North Wildwood – celebrating Irish heritage with dancing, music, food and craft vendors. Bus service available throughout the event dates. The events conclude with a parade on Surf Avenue from 20th to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood – featuring Grand Marshal – Mayor Emeritus William Henfey. Events take place Thursday, September 18 through Sunday, September 21 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.
Wildwood Crest Seafarers’ Celebration September 19 – 20
Celebration kicks off Friday, September 19 at Centennial Park with live music at 7:30 p.m. and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. (fireworks rain date is Saturday, September 20 at 9 p.m.) Saturday, September 20 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. Admission is FREE.
Olde Time Italian Festival – September 26 – 27
Cultural events continue the next weekend with the Olde Time Italian Festival at Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues in Wildwood. The weekend will feature authentic Italian foods, merchandise and continuous FREE live entertainment. Events take place Friday, September 26 from 5 p.m. – midnight and Saturday, September 27 from noon – midnight.
Monster Truck Beach Nationals – September 26 – 28
The Wildwoods welcome the Monster Truck Beach Nationals – featuring monster truck competitions and freestyle shows on the beach from Friday, September 26 through Sunday, September 28. Hours are Fri: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sat: noon – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sun: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
October 2014
Seafood & Music Festival – October 4
The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce will host a FREE street fair on Saturday, October 4 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger Avenues in Wildwood. The festival will feature 2 stages of live music featuring Chameleon Band, The Who Knows Band, Tidal Wave Band and Frank Bey and The Swing City Blues Band, 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 – 4 p.m.
Fabulous ‘50s and Beyond Weekend – October 17 – 18
The ‘Second Season’ excitement extends into October as the Wildwoods celebrate their Doo Wop roots with the Fabulous ‘50s and Beyond Weekend from Friday, October 17 and Saturday, October 18. Friday, October 17 night features a Dance Party at the Wildwoods Convention Center with David Christopher’s Nifty ’50s Band and DJ Ralph Warzy from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person. A FREE street fair will take place at Fox Park in Wildwood on Saturday, October 18 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. featuring classic cars, food and craft vendors, a Doo Wop Bus Tour, live entertainment featuring The Johnny Cash Show, 45 RPM and more. Saturday night’s concert in the Wildwoods Convention Center will feature Bowzer’s Rock ‘n Roll Party with Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, Gene Chandler – The Duke of Earl, Fred Parris & The Five Satins, Bowzer & The Stingrays, along with special guest Bill Haley’s Original Comets celebrating 60 years of ‘Rock Around The Clock.’ Doors open at 6 p.m., concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Wildwoods Boardwalk Pumpkin Run – October 25
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 8:30 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.
November 2014
Cheerleading Competitions – November 2 and November 16
In November, the Wildwoods will host two cheerleading competitions: the Cheer Tech Island Championships on Sunday, November 2 featuring teams from around the region competing in recreation, school, and all-star divisions; and the Cheer Tech American Rec & School Championships held on Sunday, November 16. All teams will perform action-packed two and a half minute routines featuring stunts, jumps, gymnastics and dance segments choreographed to music. Athletes will compete on a ’54 by ’42 spring floor and will be scored by a judging panel to determine the first place winners.
*Please note that the information and dates above are subject to change.
For additional information about the events listed here and about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.