SEA ISLE CITY – On June 21, Sea Isle City’s 2012 Sara the Turtle Festival brought hundreds of children and their families to Excursion Park, where a variety of live animal exhibits, nature displays and free entertainment was offered. The Wetland’s Institute, The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, New Jersey Nature, the Sea Isle City Environmental Commission, Sea Isle’s Beachcomber Tour Guides and Sea Isle Terrapin Rescue were among the organizations that presented exhibits and information. The yearly festival, which is sponsored by the City’s Tourism Department, also included a Diaper Derby for babies, sprinting races for older kids, a face painter, a stilt-walker, a moon bounce and live music by The Turtlesinger.
The evening began with a special dedication ceremony on the edge of Excursion Park, led by Sea Isle City Mayor Leonard Desiderio. The mayor was joined by members of City Council and other dignitaries, who officially dedicated a 6-foot granite statue of a Diamondback Terrapin Turtle, which the mayor dubbed “Sara.” In addition to being a constant reminder of Sea Isle City’s devotion to the struggling Diamondback Turtle and the local eco-system, the new public artwork is an ideal place for family photographs – which was clearly evident throughout the festival.
After the dedication ceremony, parents were invited to enter their babies in the evening’s Diaper Derby, which took place on a colorful tarp in the middle of Excursion Park. Moments later, the babies were being coaxed with bottles, toys and other enticements by family members hoping that their child would be the first to cross the finish line. The first place winner of this year’s Diaper Derby was Emily Sadowski of Warminster, PA. Other derby winners included Toby Doron, of Strathmere, NJ, second place, and Layla Armstrong, of Pottstown, PA, third place.
Moments after the Diaper Derby was over, older children, ages 2-12, were invited onto the beach at JFK Boulevard to participate in the festival’s Turtle Races, where the youngsters competed by age in sprinting races on the sand. The winners of this year’s Turtle Races were Kendall Ussery, 2, of West Point, NY; Lily Alderfer, 3, of Clifton Heights, PA; Ayden Majors, 4, of Sea Isle City; Jarod Witherite, 5, of Hermitage, PA; Charlie Lloyd, 6, of Philadelphia; Sophia DiPino, 7, of Ellicott City, MD; Tony De Michael, 8, of Doylestown, PA; Jack Chibirka, 9, of Wernersville, PA; Anthony DiPino, 10, of Ellicott City, MD; Ellie Chibirka, 11, of Wernersville, PA; and Sophia Scoboria, 12, of Birdsboro, PA.
“Even though it was an unseasonably hot evening, many families still attended the festival, which is always very popular,” said Tourism Representative Diane Merson. “The children enjoyed themselves very much and the organizations that attended the festival had many interesting displays and exhibits. –It was a great night!”
To learn about other festivals and family activities taking place in Sea Isle City this summer, visit www.seaislecitynj.us.
