As summer quickly approaches, the Wildwoods once again have added new attractions, activities and eateries for the 2015 season; and have planned an event-filled summer of fun in the sun with all of their favorite rides and attractions ready to enjoy.
New Events
‘70s Dance Party and Concert kicks off with a ’70s Street Fair in Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues in Wildwood on Saturday, April 25 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. This family festival will feature great food, crafts, merchandise vendors and continuous FREE live entertainment! Admission to the fair is FREE. The ’70s Street Fair is sponsored by The City of Wildwood and WIBBAGE 94.3 FM. A ’70s Dance Party and Concert will then take place at the Wildwoods Convention Center at 7:30 p.m. featuring Tavares, Evelyn Champagne King, MFSB, The Ritchie Family, Denise Montana, and Purple Reign. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission for bleacher and floor seating is $30; VIP seating is $40 (1st 5 rows).
‘Gotta B Wildwoods’ Music Festival is a fun-filled, interactive event taking place at Fox Park in Wildwood on Saturday, May 30 from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. This FREE fun-filled family festival will feature entertainment by the Who Knows Band, Chameleon, Tidal Wave Band and Animal House!
Wildwood Beer Fest is a beer tasting event taking place Saturday, June 13 and Sunday, June 14 to celebrate the art of locally brewed craft beer. Taking place in Fox Park, between E. Burk and E. Montgomery Avenues in Wildwood, this first-time festival will be equally exciting for the brew aficionado and novice alike. A ticket into this inaugural event grants you access to over 100 brews, a commemorative tasting cup, live tunes, delicious food and craft vendors. Beer sampling is unlimited with your ticket; food and merchandise is also available for purchase. Entrance will be permitted only to ticket holders with a valid ID. The festival will be broken up into three separate sessions. A ticket allows entrance into one specific timed session – festival goers are only permitted to attend one four-hour session. Two sessions will be held on Saturday, June 13 from noon – 4 p.m. and again from 6 – 10 p.m. The third session will be held on Sunday, June 14 from noon – 4 p.m. All brews and vendors will be the same throughout all sessions; however, bands and special Brew and Chew exhibits will change per session. Designated Driver tickets will be available for purchase at the gate for $10 with a valid ID and the accompaniment of a ticketed festival attendee. For more information visit http://www.WildwoodBeerFest.com.
The Jeep Invasion event will take place on the Wildwoods beach between Lincoln and Spencer Avenues from Friday, June 19 – Sunday, June 21. Registration takes place Friday night, and there will be an entrance fee for participants and spectators on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, is a Show and Shine on the beach, which will feature the latest and greatest Jeeps. So bring your family and friends if you’re up for the ride. For more information visit http://www.wildwoodmotorevents.com/.
Wildwood Block Party & Music Festival is a perfect way to end the summer season at Fox Park (Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues) in Wildwood on Sunday, September 6 from noon – 11 p.m. It’s a family friendly festival including crafts, games, rides, great food and continuous FREE live entertainment. A special appearance this year by Chubby Checker is scheduled!
Boots at the Beach Country Fest will be held at the North Wildwood Entertainment District along Olde New Jersey Avenue, featuring country music, vendors, crafts and food on Friday, September 18 and Saturday, September 19 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 the 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 and into the night. Saturday night’s featured bands are Philbilly, Shot of Southern and Silver Creek, who will play in surrounding establishments. For more information visit http://www.bootsatthebeach.com/.
‘Ignite’ Young People’s Rally is an inspirational event catering to our youth from Friday, October 2 – Sunday, October 4.Regardless of denomination, culture or locale, thousands of young people from across the region will join for one weekend to create a space where God illuminates and inspires hearts and minds. Be a culture-shaper, a world-changer and a history-maker by joining this movement born out of a desire to find faith in God and a place in the world to live it out. For more information visit http://www.moreyspiers.com/.
New Attractions
Wildwoods Icon Wall Murals
One of the new and unique attractions in the Wildwoods are the Icon Wall Murals. These detailed, hand-painted wall murals are found at strategically selected locations, and showcase musical icons that have significantly contributed to the Wildwoods’ colorful history and unique culture. Bobby Rydell – famous for singing the Wildwoods, NJ anthem – “Wildwood Days” catches the eyes of anyone taking a stroll on the world-famous Wildwoods Boardwalk at Roberts Avenue. The subject and location for the second icon wall were almost pre-ordained: Bill Haley & The Comets, who were celebrating the 60th anniversary of their hit song ‘Rock Around the Clock’; and location was just one block from the former HofBrau Hotel – where the group first performed the hit live in 1954.
The return of KONG at Surfside Pier
Morey’s Piers & Beach Front Water Parkshas all NEW happenings and attractions this summer! KONG will make his debut to the public Memorial Day weekend serving as the new centerpiece of Surfside Pier. KONG, snorting smoke and fog, will sport an “I love Wildwood” T-shirtand clutch one of the Wildwoods’ well-known tram cars while hanging from the 60-foot-tall lighthouse at the ride’s center. Eight vintage World War planes where riders sit will duck, dive and navigate around the infamous gorilla, bringing riders 26 feet in air. After sunset, KONG will light up the night sky with a rotating light on top of the lighthouse and enhanced LED lighting outlining each ride vehicle.
Underneath the ride is Kong & Co., a new 3,000-square-foot retail space offering charging stations and comfy chairs, as well as chocolate covered frozen bananas and merchandise for purchase.
Splash Zone Waterpark’s Flow House Bar & Grill this year has added a new upscale menu, a fun entertainment schedule including Saturday night Reggae Party, Sunday night Kid’s Night, exciting Full Moon Drum Circles, Trivia Nights, and Daily Happy Hour specials, all in their ‘off the beach,’ beach location. The park will also feature a special meet and greet event with Disney Channel TV star Calum Worthy, who plays Dez on Austin & Ally, Sunday, July 11 from 1 – 4 p.m.
Bill Henfey Park, formerly 8th Street Field at 8th and Atlantic Avenues in North Wildwood is undergoing a complete renovation. The park will feature new upgrades to the softball field on the eastern side of the tract, a new basketball court, two playgrounds for different ages, benches and pavilions, a long-jump pit, all new fencing and newly planted trees. There is also a multipurpose field used for soccer, field hockey and other sports. The upgrades also include offices, restrooms, a first aid station and equipment storage areas. It will continue to serve as the only emergency landing site for medical helicopters on the island.
Wildwood Crest Library has a new location. Originally at 6301 Ocean Avenue, the new location will be at 6300 Atlantic Avenue. The new location is set to open in late spring/early summer and will be hosting a reveal event, which is to be announced.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.