Wildwoods’ July 4th Holiday Weekend is Packed with Fun

WILDWOOD – July 4th Weekend in the Wildwoods is filled with events and live entertainment – many of them free to attend – and a free fireworks spectacular unlike any other at the Jersey Shore.
Independence Day Parade
The holiday weekend kicks off on Friday morning, July 4, with the Wildwoods Independence Day Parade and the Patriotic Pooch Parade. The Independence Day Parade begins at 9 a.m. at 9th and Atlantic Avenues in North Wildwood and proceeds north to 1st and Surf Avenues. The Patriotic Pooch Parade will join the march through the Wildwoods at 8th and Atlantic Avenues. Dogs of all shapes and sizes will parade along the streets dressed in patriotic garb alongside decorated bicycles. Prizes will be awarded for the best bikes decorated with a red, white and blue theme, along with prizes for the best dressed pooches. To register, call 609-522-2955.The event is free to attend.
Beach ‘n Boardwalk 5K Run and 1-Mile Family Walk
The Beach ‘n Boardwalk 5K Run and 1-Mile Family Walk will also take place Friday morning from 9-11 a.m. The 5K Fun Run will begin at the iconic Wildwoods Sign located at Rio Grande and Ocean Avenues, and travel north to the Wildwoods Convention Center, then down the boardwalk extension to the beach. The route will run south and continue on the hard packed sand to Primrose Avenue in Wildwood Crest, looping back to the Wildwoods Convention Center for the completion of the race. The 1-Mile Walk will head down the Wildwoods Boardwalk to Cresse Avenue and back to the Wildwoods Convention Center. Awards will be presented at the Wildwoods Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to “Top Finishers” and “Most Patriotic Dressed.” All funds raised from the Beach ‘n Boardwalk 5K Run and 1-Mile Family Walk will be used to help maintain the Wildwoods Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Registration will take place from 7-8:45 a.m. at the Wildwoods Convention Center. The registration fee is $25 for adults and $10 for students 18 and younger. Commemorative T-shirts will be given to all participants who pre-register at www.WildwoodsWall.com/5k. For additional information, call 609-849-8887.
Free Summer Concert
Starting at 6 p.m. July 4, families can enjoy a free Summer Concert at Fox Park featuring “Changes in Latitude,” a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. Bring your beach chair or blanket and groove to the smooth sounds of Jimmy Buffett classics such as “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Volcano” and many more. “Changes in Latitude” is sure to have the crowd on its feet dancing and singing along. For additional information, call 609-729-9000.
Fourth of July Patriotic free Show
A Fourth of July Patriotic free Show will take place at Centennial Park in Wildwood Crest on Friday at 8 p.m. featuring the Manhattan Dolls. Bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy the sounds of this swing-style female vocal trio singing the tunes of the 1920’s through the 1960’s. Centennial Park is located at Fern Road and Ocean Avenue. For additional information call 609-523-0202 or visit www.VisitWildwoodCrest.com.
Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular
At 10 p.m. people all over the Wildwoods will enjoy a spectacular fireworks show extravaganza. Originating from the beach at Pine Avenue in Wildwood, this incredible Fourth of July pyrotechnics display will be sure to awe and amaze, and is visible from almost anywhere on the island. For additional information, call 609-729-9000 or visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com.
Fourth of July Boardwalk Craft Show
The Fourth of July Boardwalk Craft Show will be held all weekend long from July 4 to July 6 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. daily on the boardwalk at Rio Grande Avenue, rain or shine. All handmade products will be sold in tents along the boardwalk. For more information call 609-522-0378, 609-522-0198 or visit www.BoardwalkCrafts.com.
Sports Card, Toys, Comics & Collectibles Show
The Sports Card, Toys, Comics & Collectibles Show will also take place all weekend long inside the Wildwoods Convention Center and is free to attend. Presented by RK Sports Promotions, the expo will feature more than 100 tables of the hottest collectibles including old and new sports cards, toys, comic books, Starting Line-ups, McFarlane figures, non-sports cards, Yu-Gi-Oh, Magic, Beanie Babies, videos, wax boxes, supplies, autographed memorabilia, sets, posters, coins, t-shirts, legos, dolls and much more. Special autograph guests include former baseball manager Dallas Green, baseball star Jim Coates, wrestling superstar King Kong Bundy, former Negro League baseball star Bob Scott, and Bob McGrath from Sesame Street. Sing-a-longs with Bob McGrath will be free for kids of all ages. Expo hours are July 4 from 3-9 p.m., July 5 from 10 a.m.-9 p.m., and July 6 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information call 732-422-9365 or visit www.RKSportsPromotions.com for a detailed schedule of events.
New! Downtown Wildwood Farmer’s Market
The new Downtown Wildwood Farmer’s Market will be open July 5 from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. featuring fresh produce, baked goods, specialty foods, prepared foods, local wine, craft beer and more. The market is located at 3501 Pacific Avenue, on the corner of Schellenger and Pacific Avenues in Wildwood, and will be held every Saturday until August 30. For more information, call 609-523-1602 or visit www.DoWildwood.com.
Sidewalk Chalk Competition
A Sidewalk Chalk Competition will be held at the 8th Street Field, located at 8th & Central Avenues, in North Wildwood July 5 at 9 a.m. Participants can register for free the day of the event. Judging will begin at 10:15 a.m. and prizes will be awarded to the best chalk drawings. All ages are welcome to participate in the competition. For more information, call 609-522-2955 or visit www.NorthWildwood.com.
New! BeachGlow Electronic Dance Music Festival
New! The BeachGlow Music Festival comes to the Wildwoods beach July 5 from 3-11 p.m. BeachGlow Concerts for Charity, Inc., the only non-profit EDM (electronic dance music) concert producer in the nation, will bring a concert to the beach at Schellenger Avenue in Wildwood featuring Dvbbs, along with Kap Slap, Get KunKed, Gazzo, Kasum, DJ Prime, Jai Wolf, PRFFTT & Svyable, Almond, Grant & Duval and HardPartBros. One additional opening set will be filled by the winner of an upcoming local New Jersey DJ contest. 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 also be three professional body painters working the festival, a dunk tank, beach games and activities, and a beer tent for ages 21 and over. Tickets are $45 and on sale now; proceeds will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. For more information or to purchase tickets visit www.BeachGlow.org.
FreeWildwood Crest Summer Concert Music Series
The free Wildwood Crest Summer Concert Music Series takes place Saturday night, July 5, at 7:30 p.m. featuring the B Street Band, a Bruce Springsteen tribute band, at Fern Road and Ocean Avenue in Wildwood Crest. All ages are welcome, just bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy free live music for the entire family. For more information, call 609-523-0202 or visit www.VisitWildwoodCrest.com.
Free Concerts Under the Stars Music Series
Saturday night will also feature the free Concerts Under the Stars Series located at the Lou Booth Amphitheatre, 2nd & Ocean Avenues in North Wildwood. The concert begins at 8 p.m. with the Orlons singing their rhythm and blues hits and will be held rain or shine. For more information, call 609-522-7722 or visit www.NorthWildwood.com.
Free Fox Park Concert Music Series
Free live music continues July 6 at the Fox Park Amphitheatre, located at Burk & Ocean Avenues in Wildwood, at 7:30 p.m. Bring a blanket or beach chair and enjoy the sounds of Tru, a Motown/rhythm & blues band. For more information, call 609-522-2444 or visit www.WildwoodNJ.org.
The Wildwoods are the place to be this Fourth of July Weekend for fun, entertainment and lots of free events for the whole family!
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.