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 Wildwoods build anticipation for festivals, conventions, races, car shows, tournaments and competitions through November. 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 Nov. the ‘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.”
The Wildwoods’ ‘Second Season’ begins right after Labor Day Weekend and extends through the end of mid-Nov. – attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and generating millions in additional tourism revenue.
‘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, from Sept. 5-8. The Annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention takes place from Thursday, Sept. 12 through Saturday, Sept. 14, attracting thousands of firemen and their families to the five-mile island for meetings, seminars, exhibits and other events.
The following weekend, Thursday, Sept. 19 through Sunday, Sept. 22, is fit for classic car enthusiasts and those with Irish heritage or a love for it. The Boardwalk Classic Car Show and Classic Car Auction will be held on the Wildwoods Boardwalk and at the Wildwood Convention Center with free admission; and Wildwoods’ Irish Fall Festival, the largest Irish festival on the East Coast, will showcase Irish music, food and dance and will conclude with a parade through North Wildwood.
Cultural events continue the next weekend with the Olde Time Italian Festival at Fox Park featuring authentic Italian foods, merchandise and continuous FREE live entertainment from Friday, Sept. 27 to Saturday, Sept. 28. Throughout the weekend the Wildwoods welcomes the Monster Mash Truck Race featuring Monster Truck competitions and freestyle shows on the beach. On Sunday, Sept. 29, Morey’s Piers hosts their annual farewell to summer with Souper Sunday featuring discounted wristbands, prizes, entertainment and a Chili/Chowder Cook-Off.
The ‘Second Season’ excitement extends into Oct. as the Wildwoods celebrate its Doo-Wop roots with the Fabulous ‘50s and Beyond Weekend from Oct. 18-19. Friday night starts the celebration with a Nifty ‘50s Dance Party with the David Christopher Band at the Wildwoods Convention Center. A FREE street fair will take place at Fox Park in Wildwood during the day on Saturday featuring classic cars, craft and food vendors, free live entertainment, fun contests and a Doo-Wop Back To The Fifties tour. On Saturday night the fun continues with a headline concert featuring classic rock n’ roll acts and iconic oldies vocal groups Danny & The Juniors featuring Joe Terry, Lou Christie, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Charlie Thomas Drifters, and Russell Thompkins & The New Stylistics.
The Wildwoods festive pre-Halloween celebrations include the NEW Zombie Mud Run, a spooky post-apocalyptic obstacle race on Saturday, Oct. 12 and the traditional Halloween Parade and Fun Fair held on Friday, Oct. 25. Halloween weekend brings additional family fun with the Wildwoods Boardwalk Pumpkin Run featuring costume-clad participants in a 10K and 5K run and 1 mile walk on Saturday, Oct. 26. Trunk-or-Treat, an alternative Trick-or-Treating event, is FREE for kids and parents on Wednesday, Oct. 30.
In Nov., the Wildwoods will host two cheerleading competitions: the Cheer Tech Island Championships on Sunday, Nov. 3 featuring teams from around the region competing in recreation, school, and all-star divisions; and the Cheer Tech American Rec & School Championships held on Sunday, Nov. 17. 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 ’52 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 2013 special events:*
Sept. 1-Nov. 30 – Jersey Shore Beach ‘n Boat Season Long Fishing Tournament
Sept. 1 – All American Car & Truck Show
Sept. 1 – Wildwood Block Party & Music Festival
Sept. 5-8 – Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally
Sept. 6-8 – 44th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament
Sept. 12-14 – New Jersey State Fireman’s Convention
Sept. 19-22 – Irish Fall Festival
Sept. 20-21 – Boardwalk Classic Car Show
Sept. 20 – 21 – Classic Car Auction
Sept. 20 – Fall Car Show Block Party
Sept. 20-21 – Wildwood Crest Seafarers Celebration
Sept. 27-28 – An Olde Time Italian Festival
Sept. 27-29 – Mid-Atlantic Police and Fire Survivors Weekend
Sept. 27-29 – Monster Mash Truck Race
Sept. 27-28 – Wild Thang ‘13 Chrysler Car Show
Sept. 29 – Morey’s Piers Super Sunday & Curley Fry Dipping Sauce Contest
Oct. 1-25 – Halloween House Decorating Contest
Oct. 4-6 – All Ford Truck & Car Show
Oct. 5 – Pennsauken Surf Fishing Club Tournament
Oct. 5 – Seafood and Music Festival
Oct. 12 – Zombie Mud Run
Oct. 12-13 Governor’s Cup Hyrdrofest
Oct. 12-13 – NJBBA’s Great Fall Classic Surf Fishing Tournament
Oct. 18-19 – Fabulous ‘50s & Beyond Weekend
Oct. 19-20 – Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey
Oct. 25 – Halloween Parade and Fun Fair
Oct. 26 – Wildwoods Boardwalk Pumpkin Run
Oct. 30 – Trunk or Treat for Halloween
Nov. 3 – Cheer Tech Island Championships
Nov. 9 – Elks Hoop Shoot
Nov. 17 – 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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