Santa’s back this weekend in the Wildwoods.
On Saturday, July 19, Santa will ride along the beaches of North Wildwood, beginning at 1 p.m. at 15th Street beach, accompanied by the North Wildwood Beach Patrol Band.
Handcraft Unlimited Christmas in July Craft Show will take place at the Wildwoods Convention Center on Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. -5 p.m. See What’s On Deck for details.
Then the sound of carols will be wafting through the summer air when the 20th annual Greater Wildwood Christmas in July Boat Parade returns Saturday, July 19, beginning at 7 p.m.
Since 1998, residents and visitors have enjoyed the spirit of Christmas along the intercoastal waterway as a flotilla of boats and dockside homes and businesses don extravagant displays of holiday lights and decorations, vying to win “best decorated.”
All boat owners and the homes and businesses along the parade route are invited to participate in the event, which awards first, second, and third place prizes for Best Decorated, Comic Division and Best Lighted to boats in two categories, 24’ and under and 25’ and above. On the land, prizes are presented for the Best Overall residential home and commercial business judged in Best Decorated, Comic Division and Best Lighted. All decorations are in a family-oriented Christmas theme.
The festivities begin in Beach Creek by the Sunset Bay Restaurant, and head south through Otten’s Basin, Hoffman Channel, Grassy Sound, Richardson Sound, Post Creek Basin, Otten’s Harbor, Grassy Sound Channel, Ephraim’s Thorofare and into Sunset Lake, where the Grand Finale takes place.
For information, contact Coastal Broadcasting at 609-522-1987. Parade entry forms are available at Wildwood City Hall, 4400 New Jersey Ave.; Crest Pier Community Center, 5800 Ocean Ave.; North Wildwood Community Center, 900 Central Ave.; any major marina in the Wildwoods and online at www.wildwoodboatparade.com.
The Wildwood Crest Recreation Department will host an exciting grand finale to the Boat Parade at beautiful Sunset Lake on Saturday, July 19.
The grand finale ceremony, which begins at 7:30 p.m., will include live musical entertainment and children’s activities before culminating with a spectacular fireworks show over the lake at 9:30 p.m.
Renowned entertainer Lou DeMeis will perform Christmas and summertime music beginning at 7:30 p.m. while the crowd awaits the arrival of the parade of boats decorated for the holidays.
There will be a moon bounce, Karaoke with the Faz, Woody the Stilt Walker and face painting.
In addition, the famous Hegeman String Band of Philadelphia, will play everyone’s favorite New Year’s Day tunes.
The north end of Sunset Lake along New Jersey Avenue will be blocked off to traffic in order to enhance everyone’s enjoyment of the festivities.
For more info, call 609-523-0202.
