SEA ISLE CITY – Sea Isle City’s 2013 Skimmer Festival Weekend will take place on Saturday and Sunday, June 15-16, hosted by the resort’s Division of Tourism. The popular festival, which has been taking place since 1962, derives its name from the recognizable straw hats (also known as boater hats) that Victorian-era gentlemen often wore during the summer months.
On Saturday, the festival will kick-off in traditional style with the annual Skimmer Seaside Market along Sea Isle’s oceanfront Promenade, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The market will feature nearly 400 vendors, who will sell everything from household items and fishing equipment to children’s books and handmade crafts. When shoppers get hungry, they can stop by the Skimmer Food Court in front of Excursion Park, located at JFK Boulevard and Pleasure Avenue, where there will be a large selection of local delicacies and traditional festival-fare. Meanwhile, inside Excursion Park, there will be live music by Second 2 None and a variety of free family activities, including a giant obstacle course, a moon bounce, face-painters, “Waxy Hands” and a family photo booth. There will also be a “Sand Art” station, where children can create souvenirs for a small fee.
Also on Saturday, the festival’s annual Sand Sculpting Demonstration will take place on the beach at JFK Boulevard beginning at 9:00 a.m., led by Sand Pounders Professional Sculptors. Afterwards, while the artists from Sand Pounders are creating a one-of-a-kind sculpture for all to enjoy, the public will be invited to compete in a Sand Sculpting Competition. The competition will be followed by an award ceremony at 12 noon, at which time trophies will be distributed to the best amateur sand creations.
There will be more free music at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday night, when The Exceptions perform a variety of pop and rock classics at the Excursion Park Band Shell.
Skimmer Weekend will continue on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 16, with an Antique Auto Show along the Promenade between 29th Street and JFK Boulevard, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. While history-buffs and auto-enthusiasts are enjoying the scores of vehicles entered in the Auto Show, the Snake Brothers Band will fill the air with blue grass music on the Promenade at JFK Boulevard.
Also on Sunday, Free Guided Historical Trolley Tours will be offered every half-hour in front of Excursion Park, between 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The tours will be led by members of the Sea Isle City Historical Society, who will point-out notable landmarks and explain how Sea Isle has grown over the years.
At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, Mayor Leonard Desiderio will present trophies to the winners of the Antique Auto Show. Afterwards, each of the vehicles entered in the show will parade through town, bringing this year’s festival to a spectacular close.
For additional information about Skimmer Festival Weekend, phone 263-8687 or visit www.seaislecitynj.us.
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