Wildwoods Memorial Day Weekend is Packed with Events

WILDWOOD – Memorial Day Weekend in the Wildwoods means four days packed full of fun and honorary events! With a visit from Governor Chris Christie, the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism Executive Director, Grace Hanlon, and events such as the Jersey-wide Stronger Than the Storm Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and North America’s largest Kite Festival, this weekend in the Wildwoods is a sure good-time!
May 24
The Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony at noon will officially kick off the 2013 summer season in the Wildwoods on the beach at Andrews Avenue next to the Wildwoods Convention Center. A large, ornate key will be used to ‘unlock’ the ocean at this annual Wildwoods tradition to initiate the summer season. Grace Hanlon, the New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism Executive Director, state, county and local government and tourism officials along with Lieutenant Jack McGinnis of the Wildwood Beach Patrol as well as other Wildwoods icons such as the Fudgy Wudgy Man and Gigi with the Wildwoods Tramcars will be in attendance at the Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony. This event is free to attend.
A Stronger Than The Storm Ribbon Cutting Event also takes place at noon as a part of the Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony. This Ribbon Cutting Event will represent that the Jersey Shore and the Wildwoods are ready and open for business, despite Hurricane Sandy. Stronger Than the Storm is the New Jersey Tourism Marketing Campaign to let the world know that NJ is open for business. Ribbon cutting ceremonies will be taking place across the Jersey Shore as other towns participate in this state-wide effort to promote that the Jersey Shore is ready for summer 2013. This event is free to attend.
May 24 through May 27
The 28th Annual Wildwoods International Kite Festival, the largest kite festival in North America, takes place on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue and inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. This event is free to attend.
May 24 – May 26
The New Jersey State Gymnastics Championship will take place at the Wildwoods Convention Center, held by the United States Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs. The Competitions will take place on May 24 from 5:30 p.m. – 9 p.m., May 25 from 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m., and May 26 from 8:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.
May 25
A Special Visit from Governor Chris Christie at approximately 3 p.m. who will be touring the Wildwoods Boardwalk to see first-hand and to show everyone else that the Wildwood Boardwalk is ready for the summer season.
A candlelight vigil at the Wildwoods Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at 8 p.m. hosted by the Vietnam Veterans Chapter #955 and the American Legion Post #184 will be held. This event is free to attend.
May 26
The Wildwood Crest Summer Kickoff Concert at 7:30 p.m. will take place at Centennial Park, Fern Road and Ocean Avenue in Wildwood Crest. This free outdoor concert for all ages will feature the Fabulous Greaseband – a high-energy band that features the best rock and roll, party and dance music from the ‘50’s through today.