SEA ISLE CITY — June 24, Sea Isle City’s Division of Tourism hosted the resort’s 2015 Sara the Turtle Festival at Excursion Park, where thousands of people enjoyed an evening of family-friendly entertainment and events.
In addition to environmental displays presented by The Wetlands Institute, The Marine Mammal Stranding Center, Sea Isle’s Environmental Commission and Beachcomber Guides, as well as Sea Isle Turtle Rescue, kids of all ages enjoyed live animal exhibits by New Jersey Nature, which included a small menagerie of interesting critters ranging from exotic insects to slithery snakes – each contributing to countless family photo ops. Additionally, kids had their faces painted, created sand art souvenirs and enjoyed other activities.
The festival also included a “Diaper Derby” crawling contest for babies and “Turtle Races” for older children.
The first-place winner of the Diaper Derby was Catherine Adams, 8 months, of Cape May Court House. Catherine was followed by Jacob Sweitzer, 11 months, of Pittsburgh, PA, second place; and Charlie Ciseck, 10 months, of Sea Isle City.
During the Turtle Races, over 200 children competed in sprinting competitions (grouped by age) on the nearby JFK Boulevard Beach, where the top three winners in each age group received Olympic-style medals. The first place winners were Jude Adams, 2, of Cape May Court House; Giuliana Giammarco, 3, of Dresher, PA; Simon D’Amadio, 4, of West Chester, PA; Zion Dawkins, 5, of Cape May Court House; Avery Taylor, 6, of Pottstown, PA; Skylar Shivers, 7, of Cape May Court House; Luke Armstrong, 8, of Pottstown, PA; Caitlin Bolanel, 9, of West Chester, PA; T.J. Guss, 10, of Garnet Valley, PA; and Riri Glickin, 12, of Thornton, PA.
Following the Turtle Races, families gathered at the Excursion Park Band Shell to hear songs by “The Turtlesingers,” a pair of eco-conscious performers who introduced the children to a variety of turtles as they sang environmental songs.
According to event organizer Diane Merson of the City’s Division of Tourism, this year’s Sara the Turtle Festival attracted the largest crowd to date.
“The weather was beautiful, parents were very happy, and the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves,” said Merson. “I think this was our best Sara the Turtle Festival yet.”
For information about other events taking place in Sea Isle City, visit www.VisitSICNJ.com.
