WILDWOOD – The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA) held a ‘Fall into the Wildwoods’ press conference to kick off the Wildwoods’ action-packed Second Season today, August 28.
Pictured (L-R) are Sheila Brown and Bailey Baybo in poodle skirts with Tracey DuFault/ Seafood and Music Festival and Fabulous ‘50s & Beyond Weekend; Brian Cunniff/Seafarer’s Celebration; GWTIDA Executive Director/CFO John Siciliano; Tom Stocker, Governor’s Cup Hydrofest Powerboat Races; Joe Quatrone/Mummers String Band Show & Irish Fall Festival; “Gigi” the Tramcar Driver; Gary McGhee/Boardwalk Classic Car Show & Classic Car Auction; and Jack Morey/Zombie Run.
The press conference, which took place in front of the Wildwoods sign at Rio Grande Avenue & the Boardwalk, demonstrated that the excitement in the Wildwoods extends well into the fall – a time period the Wildwoods fondly calls its Second Season.
Event promoters and representatives from major Second Season events were also on hand to tout the success of the Wildwoods Second Season during which thinner crowds and warm fall weather make for the best time to be at the shore. Representatives from The Mummers String Band Show, Irish Fall Festival, Boardwalk Classic Car Show & Classic Car Auction, Seafarer’s Celebration, Olde Time Italian Festival, Monster Truck Races, Seafood and Music Festival, The Governor’s Cup Hydrofest Powerboat Races and the Fabulous ‘50s & Beyond Weekend addressed attendees, adding to the excitement of the morning and anticipation of the coming months.
“As the temperatures begin to cool and the kids return to school, the Wildwoods are revving things up once again for our exciting Second Season,” executive director of GWTIDA John Siciliano said. “GWTIDA provides funding each year to host these special events and themed weekends which are a proven method to bring business to our local hotels, Boardwalk and restaurants during the shoulder season.”
Previous Release:
WILDWOOD – The summer vacation season may be winding down, but the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA) is working to ensure that crowds both near and far keep coming back to the Wildwoods throughout the fall season.
As school begins again and the leaves start to change, the fun in the Wildwoods continues with anticipation of dozens of scheduled festivals, conventions, races, car shows, tournaments and competitions through October.
GWTIDA promotes fall events as a means of filling hotel rooms and restaurant seats during what would otherwise be a slower tourism season. GWTIDA calls this period from Labor Day Weekend through the end of October the ‘Wildwoods Second Season.’
“Although many shore towns take a break as the temperatures cool, the Wildwoods still remain a lively place,” executive director of GWTIDA John Siciliano said. “Hosting special events and themed weekends has been a proven method to bring business to our local hotels and restaurants during the fall months,” he added.
The Wildwoods’ ‘Second Season’ begins right after Labor Day Weekend and extends through the end of October – attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and generating millions in additional tourism revenue.
September 2014
Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally – Sept. 4 – 7
‘Second Season’ in the Wildwoods kicks off this year in Sept. after Labor Day with the Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally, one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the northeast. Starting Sept. 4 through Sept. 7. Hours are 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday. Enjoy motorcycle vendors, food and merchandise, live entertainment and more activities surrounding the Wildwoods Convention Center and at Oak and Atlantic Avenues.
Mummers String Band Show – Sept. 6
Takes place along Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood featuring the top nine String Bands from this year’s New Year’s Day Philadelphia Mummers Parade. Entertainment begins on the street at 3:30 p.m. featuring the Duffy String Band and the Philadelphia Mummers Chorus. Mummers strut contest begins at 4 p.m. followed by the Mummers Parade at 4:45 p.m.
Annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention – Sept. 11 – 13
The Annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention takes place from Sept. 11 through Sept. 13, attracting thousands of firemen and their families to the five-mile island for meetings, seminars, exhibits and other events.
The Wildwoods Hydrofest Powerboat Races – Sept. 13 – 14
The Wildwoods 2014 Hydrofest Powerboat Races take place Sept. 13 and Sept. 14. Hydrofest is a weekend of high-speed, pulse-pounding powerboat action featuring the fastest hydroplanes, runabouts and Jersey Speed Skiffs the country has to offer – reaching speeds up to 140 MPH on Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest, located at Rambler Road and New Jersey Avenue. This year the Wildwoods have added a new attraction to this already heart-pounding action-packed event. EPIC – the Eastern Pro Inboard Championship Series – is a new progressive points series in addition to the traditional multi-class American Power Boat Association (APBA). Races begin at 10 a.m. daily.
Boardwalk Classic Car Show and Classic Car Auction – Sept. 18 – 21
The following weekend, Sept. 18 through Sept. 21, is fit for classic car enthusiasts. The Boardwalk Classic Car Show and Classic Car Auction will be held on the Wildwoods Boardwalk and at the Wildwoods Convention Center with free admission. The Classic Car Auction begins on Thursday, Sept. 18 with a preview from 3 – 10 p.m. The auction is Sept. 19 from noon – 10 p.m. and Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. The Boardwalk Classic Car Show is from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sept. 19 and Sept. 20.
The Wildwoods’ Irish Fall Festival – Sept. 18 – 21
The Wildwoods’ Irish Fall Festival – the largest Irish festival on the East Coast, will take place on Olde New Jersey Avenue and surrounding pubs in North Wildwood – celebrating Irish heritage with dancing, music, food and craft vendors. Bus service available throughout the event dates. The events conclude with a parade on Surf Avenue from 20th to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues, North Wildwood – featuring Grand Marshal – Mayor Emeritus William Henfey. Events take place Sept. 18 through Sept. 21 from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily.
Wildwood Crest Seafarers’ Celebration Sept. 19 – 20
Celebration kicks off Friday, Sept. 19 at Centennial Park with live music at 7:30 p.m. and a fireworks show at 9 p.m. (fireworks rain date is Sept. 20 at 9 p.m.) Sept. 20 features a festival along Sunset Lake at New Jersey Avenue between Rambler Road & Miami Avenue. Dozens of craft and food vendors, family entertainment, live music, children’s activities including a rock-climbing wall, karaoke, stunt bike show, pony rides, magic show, pie-eating & bubble gum blowing contests, and much more from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Admission is free.
Olde Time Italian Festival – Sept. 26 – 27
Cultural events continue the next weekend with the Olde Time Italian Festival at Fox Park on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues in Wildwood. The weekend will feature authentic Italian foods, merchandise and continuous free live entertainment. Events take place Sept. 26 from 5 p.m. – midnight and Sept. 27 from noon – midnight.
Monster Truck Beach Nationals – Sept. 26 – 28
The Wildwoods welcome the Monster Truck Beach Nationals – featuring monster truck competitions and freestyle shows on the beach from Sept. 26 through Sept. 28. Hours are Fri: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sat: noon – 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Sun: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
October 2014
Seafood & Music Festival Oct. 4
The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce will host a free street fair Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Atlantic Avenue between Wildwood and Schellenger Avenues in Wildwood. The festival will feature 2 stages of live music featuring Chameleon Band, The Who Knows Band, Tidal Wave Band and Frank Bey and The Swing City Blues Band, crafters, food vendors, a pie eating contest and much more. A “Kids Korner” with activities including pumpkin painting, face painting and bounce houses will take place from noon – 4 p.m.
Fabulous ‘50s and Beyond Weekend – Oct. 17 – 18
The ‘Second Season’ excitement extends into Oct. as the Wildwoods celebrate their Doo Wop roots with the Fabulous ‘50s and Beyond Weekend Oct. 17 and Oct. 18. Oct. 17 night features a Dance Party at the Wildwoods Convention Center with David Christopher’s Nifty ’50s Band and DJ Ralph Warzy from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person. A free street fair will take place at Fox Park in Wildwood Oct. 18 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. featuring classic cars, food and craft vendors, a Doo Wop Bus Tour, live entertainment featuring The Johnny Cash Show, 45 RPM and more. Saturday night’s concert in the Wildwoods Convention Center will feature Bowzer’s Rock ‘n Roll Party with Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon, Gene Chandler – The Duke of Earl, Fred Parris & The Five Satins, Bowzer & The Stingrays, along with special guest Bill Haley’s Original Comets celebrating 60 years of ‘Rock Around The Clock.’ Doors open at 6 p.m., concert begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale now.
Wildwoods Boardwalk Pumpkin Run – Oct. 25
The Wildwoods Boardwalk Pumpkin Run is a ghoulishly fun and exciting family event for all ages Halloween Weekend. This festive boardwalk event offers a 5K run along with a 1 mile family walk, starting at 10 a.m. – rain or shine. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. Participants are encouraged to dress in their favorite Halloween costumes to vie for the prizes in the best dressed categories of Family, Youth, Infant, and Best All Around. All proceeds benefit the Elementary Schools of the Wildwoods.
November 2014
Cheerleading Competitions – Nov. 2 and Nov. 16
In Nov., the Wildwoods will host two cheerleading competitions: the Cheer Tech Island Championshipson Nov. 2 featuring teams from around the region competing in recreation, school, and all-star divisions; and the Cheer Tech American Rec & School Championships held Nov. 16. All teams will perform action-packed two and a half minute routines featuring stunts, jumps, gymnastics and dance segments choreographed to music. Athletes will compete on a ’54 by ’42 spring floor and will be scored by a judging panel to determine the first place winners.
Below is a full list of the Wildwoods’ Second Season 2014 special events: *
Sept. 1 – Nov. 30 – Jersey Shore Beach ‘n Boat Season Long Fishing Tournament
Sept. 4 – 7 – Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally
Sept. 5 – 7 – 45th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament
Sept. 6 – Mummers String Band Show
Sept. 11 – 13 – New Jersey State Fireman’s Convention
Sept. 13 – 14 – The Wildwoods Hydrofest
Sept. 18 – 20 – Classic Car Auction
Sept. 18 – 21 – Irish Fall Festival
Sept. 19 – 20 – Boardwalk Classic Car Show
Sept. 19 – 20 – Wildwood Crest Seafarers Celebration
Sept. 26 – 27 – An Olde Time Italian Festival
Sept. 26 – 27 – Wild Thang ‘14 Chrysler Car Show
Sept. 26 – 28 – Mid-Atlantic Police and Fire Survivors Weekend
Sept. 26 – 28 – Monster Truck Beach Nationals
Oct. 3 – 5 – ‘Race of Gentlemen’ Vintage Car & Motorcycle Beach Drag Races
Oct. 4 – Pennsauken Surf Fishing Club Tournament
Oct. 4 – Seafood and Music Festival
Oct. 11 – 12 – NJBBA’s Great Fall Classic Surf Fishing Tournament
Oct. 17 – 18 – Fabulous ‘50s & Beyond Weekend
Oct. 18 – 19 – Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey
Oct. 24 – 25 – Barber Shoppers Convention & Show
Oct. 25 – Wildwoods Boardwalk Pumpkin Run
Oct. 31 – Greater Wildwood Elks Halloween Haunted House
Nov. 2 – Cheer Tech Island Championships
Nov. 11 – Veterans Day Services
Nov. 16 – Cheer Tech American Recreation & School Championships
*Please note that the information and dates above are subject to change.
For additional information about the events listed here and about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
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