WILDWOOD — If the city fathers have anything to do with it, the city’s centennial next year will happen with a bang, not a whimper.
At a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 14, Maurice Fitzgibbons, president of Fitzmedia, a Hoboken-based public relations consultant, met with the commissioners to begin the planning process for the city’s year-long centennial celebration.
The celebration will include a gala as well as a parade, in addition to other events yet to be determined.
Other ideas bandied about included the post office issuing a commemorative stamp for the event, having a contest to design the 100th anniversary logo, and a Boardwalk race for the city’s wait staffs and bartenders.
The group also talked about the possibility of having a major summer concert on the city’s wide beach. Whether the concert caters to rock and roll fans or classical aficionados will depend on the availability of talent.
“We could do a Philadelphia Pops on the beach,” said Commissioner Tony Leonetti, “Or the New Jersey State Symphony.”
In booking the act for a concert, “You have to impress upon then the audience would be 25,000 and not just from South Jersey,” said Fitzgibbons.
Funding for the yearlong event will be through donations as well as sponsorships. A 501(c)(3) account will be set up to accept donations to ensure that monies do not funnel through the city’s coffers.
The city hopes to not only draw in donations from local individuals and businesses, but also hopes to attract corporate sponsors such as Coca Cola, Pepsico, and beer companies.
“They (the beer companies) do a lot of business in this town,” said Troiano. “This is definitely not a dry community.”
Fitzgibbons told the Commissioners the city’s rich history needs to be highlighted.
“We have a museum that is second to none,” Troiano responded. “It’s the number one research museum in the state of New Jersey.”
Key committees will be set up within the next several weeks to begin the process of developing ideas for the event.
A special meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be held during the first week of December to pull together committee members as well as to begin the planning process.
“We want to remember all things Wildwood,” said Mayor Ernie Troiano.
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