THE WILDWOODS – As summer quickly approaches, the Wildwoods once again have added new attractions, activities and eateries for the 2016 season; and have planned an event-filled summer of fun in the sun with all of its favorite rides and attractions ready to enjoy.
NEW Events
Boardwalk Kennel Club All Breed Dog Show is getting new dates for 2016. The Dog Show, normally taken place in January inside the Wildwoods Convention Center, is now being held this spring from Wednesday, March 30 through Sunday, April 3. For more information visit http://www.boardwalkkennelclub.com/.
The Race of Gentlemen Vintage Car & Motorcycle Beach Drag Races is getting a new date for 2016. The Race of Gentlemen, normally taking place in September, is now being held during the start of the summer season, Friday, June 3 through Sunday, June 5. For more information visit http://www.theraceofgentlemen.com/.
New Year’s in North Wildwood is a newly combined event for 2016! The top Mummers Brigades and top Mummers String Bands from the New Year’s Day Parade in Philadelphia will entertain crowds in the pub district of North Wildwood on Friday, June 10 and Saturday, June 11. The excitement kicks off Friday night at 7 p.m. with a pub-crawl through local drinking establishments in the North Wildwood Entertainment District, followed by a colorful parade on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. along Olde New Jersey Avenue where you can get up-close views of the beautiful costumes and intricate dance steps. Rain date is Sunday and admission is FREE, so come join in the fun and learn the famous Mummers Strut! For more information visit http://northwildwood.com/.
Bushido Open (East) National Martial Arts Championship is a multi-style open Karate, Kajukenbo, Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, Wushu, self-defense and Brazilian Ju Jitsu tournament. Competitors from far and wide will converge in the Wildwoods Convention Center on Saturday, June 25 to test their skill, determination and discipline against top fight competition. Competitors for this world-class event include kids, teens and adults. For more information visit http://www.hamiltonkarate.com/.
Latin Heritage Festival will be a culinary extravaganza with a Latin flair on Saturday, June 25, along Pacific Avenue between Spicer and Lincoln Avenues in Wildwood from noon – 8 p.m. The festival will include music, entertainment, an artisan area, children’s activities, cuisine and much more! A FREE and fun festival for the entire family!
Downtown Wildwood Market Place is a flea market-style event that will allow local merchants and others to sell their merchandise one Sunday a month in June, July and August. The marketplace will be located on Pacific and Schellenger Avenues in Wildwood; open rain or shine. Free parking will be available in the lot behind the marketplace. For more information visit http://www.dowildwood.com/.
Wildwood Crest Sundown Celebrations is an all ages, family-friendly FREE event beginning Thursday, July 7 at 7 p.m. – running every Thursday evening until Thursday, August 18. Enjoy live music, children’s activities, street performers and a family portrait photography service along beautiful Sunset Lake (NJ & Louisville Avenues in Wildwood Crest), which features some of the most stunning sunsets at the Jersey Shore. For more information visit http://visitwildwoodcrest.com/.
BeachGlow Music Festival will take place on the beach in Wildwood at Burk Avenue on Friday, July 8 and Saturday, July 9. The BeachGlow Concerts for Charity, Inc. is the only non-profit EDM (electronic dance music) concert producer in the nation. The festival will feature a variety of vendors where guests can shop, eat and explore, along with a general store selling essentials, BeachGlow T-shirts and EDM merchandise. There will be professional body painters working throughout the festival, a dunk tank, beach games and activities, and a beer tent for ages 21 and over. For more information visit http://beachglow.org/.
Anglesea Night Market & Mobile Food Night will be a newly featured food truck event on Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood on Thursday, July 21 and Thursday, August 18.
Waves and Wheels Festival is a new family-friendly event that will be held along Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood on Friday, September 9 from 3 – 9 p.m. and on Saturday, September 10 from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. The festival is dedicated to all outdoor activities at the Jersey Shore – on the ocean, in the sand, and over the land! Food trucks, refreshments, Reggae and modern surf rock bands will be featured all weekend long. Vendors from dozens of surf and skate shops in the area will offer discounted merchandise, as well as vendors featuring activities such as surfing, skateboarding, SUP, kayaking, fishing, biking, running, and boating. For more information visit http://wavesandwheelsfest.com/.
NEW Attractions
Grand Prix Raceway
Work is underway on the largest go-kart track in the Wildwoods. The Grand Prix Raceway, on Adventure Pier, will be extending the fun with a much longer and windier track; making it bigger, better and more extreme for the 2016 season.
Kang’ A Bounce
Back by popular demand is the family favorite ride, Kang’ A Bounce. Located on Surfside Pier, the entire family can bounce like kangaroos in the Aussie and laugh together while sitting side by side in kangaroo themed seats.
My City Bikes The Wildwoods App
Local bike shop Zippy’s Bikes has formed a partnership with My City Bikes – a mobile and web public health campaign for beginner cyclists – to improve individual and environmental health by inspiring locals and visitors of the Wildwoods to take one simple action: bike more.
The My City Bikes The Wildwoods app is a basic utility that can be used to learn about bicycling, bike maintenance, and critical health and safety information while finding local beginner-level riding opportunities for road, commuter, recreation and family biking. This app will help local beginners pedal off on the right foot by providing necessary information in a user-friendly format. My City Bikes The Wildwoods app provides information for short, medium and long bike rides that connect users with the most popular attractions of the area. The app is a great asset for the Wildwoods’ biking-enthusiasts and a wonderful attraction for the entire community – making it easier than ever for locals and visitors at every level of fitness to ride in the Wildwoods.
Starlux Mini Golf Course
Off the Boardwalk, summer guests can look forward to a brand new, 27-hole miniature golf course. The bi-level course will be across from the world-famous “WILDWOOD” sign and retro Starlux Boutique Hotel (corner of Rio Grande & Ocean Avenues in the Wildwoods). The miniature golf course will feature nine holes with an ocean theme, nine holes with a beach theme; and on the second level, nine holes with a boardwalk-rooftop, golf-throwback theme. For more information visit http://www.moreyspiers.com/explore/blog/starlux-mini-golf-course.
Ticket Booth Center on Morey’s Adventure Pier
Stacked two stories high, the new ticket center is built completely from shipping containers. Since shipping containers are the new rage they are the perfect addition to Adventure Pier and the perfect accessory to the 11 brightly colored, shipping containers that make up the art mecca of Adventure Pier and artBOX.
Wildwood Crest Running Club
Runners, walkers and fitness enthusiasts can enjoy group workouts, team activities and much more when you join the new Wildwood Crest Running Club. The Running club will be open to residents, non-residents, visitors and vacationers. Runners and walkers ¬– from beginners to veterans – are welcome to join. The club will hold weekly runs, walks, monthly meetings and other activities that promote health and wellness. The annual membership fee for the club will be $40 for Wildwood Crest residents and $50 for non-residents.
Expansions/Renovations
Joe’s Fish Co.
Joe’s Fish Co., located on the front of Surfside Pier, is undergoing extensive renovations this season. The spacious upper deck of the restaurant will feature a larger bar, better seating, lively entertainment and a delicious laid back menu prepared by Surfside Chef, Betsy Garr. Betsy has been hard at work developing and testing recipes, ensuring a wide array of menu favorites for both the sea and land lovers alike. Brand new TV’s will be located around the bar, making it the perfect place to catch a baseball game or to grab a cold one and bite to eat.
The Establishment
Located at 100 Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood, The Establishment Restaurant and Bar will be newly expanded in 2016. For more information visit http://www.theestablishmentat100.com/.
NEW Restaurants & Shops
5 Mile Brewing Company: Coming Fall 2016
Located on 127 W. Rio Grande Avenue in Wildwood, the 5 Mile Brewing Company is a complete brewing and distribution facility featuring a full service bar and restaurant. The brewery will feature the finest quality craft beers while providing detailed attention to food and bar service. For more information visit http://www.5milebrewingco.com/.
Boardwalk Bucks Discount Ticket Store
Vince Della Vella and Bob Sahasaylo took all the amazing steals and deals from their website http://go2wildwood.com/ and made it into a shop on the Wildwoods Boardwalk, located at 2304 Boardwalk in North Wildwood. The store will feature last minute steals, coupons and deals for all activities in the Wildwoods – from motels to miniature golf. The store will also feature a Wildwoods map and a Boardwalk map.
Children’s Store
A new whimsical store, filled with carousel horses and decorations from rides past, will debut on Mariner’s Pier. The brand new space will be home to Morey’s Piers first ever children’s only retail store. Any grown up who steps inside will definitely feel like a kid again. Shop for top of the line kids apparel, fun toys, blankets, candy and more.
Fresh on Fifth
Located on 100 East 5th Avenue in North Wildwood, Fresh on Fifth is new to the cuisine scene, offering a freshly prepared menu of coffees, smoothies, salads, wraps and more during breakfast and lunch hours. Try one of their various made to order smoothies to help you fuel and recover after a workout, keep your daily calorie count low, or as a healthy meal replacement. Fresh on Fifth also prepares and serves healthy breakfast items such as Acai superfruit bowls, nutritious oatmeal, bagels, and coffee and espresso.
Homemade at the Canteen will be located at 4200 Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood.
Old School Tattoos will be located on Oak Avenue & Park Boulevard in Wildwood.
Slice of Heaven Bakery & Pizzeria
Located at 3800 New Jersey Avenue in Wildwood, Slice Heaven Bakery & Pizzeria will have everything from donuts, muffins, birthday cakes and coffee to pizza, wings and much more.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.