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The Ancient Order of Hibernians 15th annual Irish Fall Festival is just hours from beginning in North Wildwood.
Actually, a few shamrocks and green hats have already been spotted but official events get underway tomorrow at 8 a.m. with the AOH golf tournament at Avalon Golf Course.
The action shifts to Olde New Jersey Avenue on Friday. My unimpeachable sources inform me that this year’s festival will feature 114 vendors stretching the length of Olde New Jersey Avenue and then some. Memorabilia vendors will hit the street at 8 a.m. each day of the festival with food vendors dispensing the grub at noon.
On Friday night at 6 p.m., the South Jersey Ceili band will provide the music for the dancing at the North Wildwood Recreation Center, 10th and Central Avenues.
The festival gets up and running at 8 a.m. Saturday with the Tick Haldeman Memorial 5k Run/One Mile Walk. Fee to participate is $15 with prizes awarded to top finishers. Sign up at the AOH tent at 1st and New Jersey Avenues.
If you enjoy bagpipe music, check out the Brian Riley Pipe Exhibition at 10 a.m. at the sports field at 8th and Central Avenues.
If you don’t like bagpipe music, check out something else far away from the sports field at 8th and Central Avenues. Those vendors will be open for business and glad to see you up on Olde New Jersey Avenue.
Ireland’s “favorite son” Tony Kenney brings his all star show to the Wildwood Catholic High School auditorium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the show go for a mere $20. Call 729-1307 to find out if any are available.
Sunday begins with Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Ann’s at Glenwood and Atlantic Avenues, Wildwood. This will be a special service including the Protector of the Faith Guards, Emerald Society Color Guard, and bagpipers.
Having read about all these activities, I’ll bet you thought this year’s festival was missing something. No, there will be a parade at 1 p.m. on Surf Avenue, starting at 24th Avenue. Parade heads north to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues.
Expect to see motorcycles, pipe brigades, drill teams, honor guards, color guards, marching bands, fire engines, mummers, floats bearing dignitaries, politicians and pretty girls, antique cars, and lots more.
That’s a list of the “official” activities. Of course, the area’s pubs and clubs will offer entertainment throughout the festival, including an Irish Hoolie at the Point featuring Paul Moore, Paddy’s Well Irish Band and more.
Some of the bands you’ll hear this weekend around town and on the Olde New Jersey Avenue stage include: Celtic Cross, Celtic Misfits, Bailey Brothers, Scythian, Bogside Rogues, Highland Rovers, Andy Cooney Band, 2U, and the Malarkey Brothers.
That’s not all of it but the pen is running dry and there’s just enough left to mention that trolley service will be available at the Anglesea Fire House, 2nd and Olde New Jersey Avenues, and will regularly travel along Surf Avenue throughout the festival. So DON’T drink and drive!
Not enough information? Check out the AOH website at www.cmcaoh.com
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It’s getting to be that time of year again for many of the island’s seasonal workers.
Businesses close and people are laid off. That means filing for unemployment.
Forget those horror stories of ancient times about hours standing in line only to be told that you’re standing in the wrong line or you’re at the office on the wrong day.
Technology has made even the hassle of filing for unemployment a little easier to handle.
To file a new claim or reopen an existing one, you can now use the Internet by accessing the website at www.nju ifile.net. If the Internet is too modern for your tastes, you can file by phone by calling (856) 507-2340.
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Need a break from bag pipe music this weekend? Wildwood Crest hosts its annual Seafarer’s Celebration on Saturday, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. along scenic Sunset Lake.
There will be plenty of food and crafts vendors. Kids will be entertained by clowns, stilt walkers, and face painters. There will be live music throughout the day, starting at 11:30 a.m. And if you’re there at dusk, you’ll get to enjoy a fireworks show over the lake.
Wildwood Crest is presenting something new this year on Sunday. It’s called “a most unusual triathlon” and it takes place on the Rambler Road beach, starting at 9 a.m.
The event features a three-mile run, ten-mile bike, and half-mile obstacle course.
Survivors will enjoy a beach party with music and awards.
If you haven’t already registered, you can still do so up until and including the day of the event. Cost to participate is $50 for individuals, $90 for teams, and families are encouraged to participate as teams. Those involved will get t-shirts, a chance to party and celebrate completing the triathlon, and maybe even win a prize.
For more information, call the recreation department at 523-0202.
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GWTIDA meets tomorrow at 6 p.m. in room 4 at the convention center, Burk Avenue and the boardwalk.
Wildwood Crest Borough Commission meets today at 7 p.m. at Borough Hall, 6101 Pacific Ave.
JCOW meets Friday at 8:30 a.m. at its office, 4004 Pacific Ave.
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Wildwood makes this shoulder season weekend an event trifecta as the 13th annual Boardwalk Classic Car Show returns with shows of custom and classic, muscle and hot rod cars along the boardwalk and at the convention center.
Lori and Grover will entertain at the convention center tomorrow night at 9 at the kick-off party to start the show.
The boardwalk car display starts Friday and Saturday at 8 a.m. Vendors of car accessories will set up their tents Friday and Saturday at the convention center parking lot from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
On Saturday night at 6 p.m., Larry Hickman and Love Affair will both perform at the convention center. The top forty cars will assemble and the best of show will be chosen.
For more information, call the New Jersey Hot Rod Association at 523-8051.
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Tina Bumpus, coordinator of CARA (Coalition Against Rape and Abuse) is guest speaker at today’s 11 a.m. meeting of the Wildwood Civic Club at the clubhouse, 3008 Atlantic Ave. Public is welcome to attend.
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You didn’t think the Morey Organization would sit back and quietly watch all this weekend’s action, did you?
Sunday is Super Sunday on Morey’s Piers, starting at noon. Everything is discounted including ride tickets, games, and prizes. There will also be live music.
Call 523-3900 for details.
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The Knights of Columbus Our Lady of the Rosary will be serving spaghetti dinner on Sunday, October 1 from 3-7 p.m. at St. Ann’s School, Glenwood and New Jersey Avenues.
Dinner includes, chicken parmigiana, meatballs, spaghetti, salad, bread, beverage, and desert. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $4 for children. Take-outs will be available.
The dinner benefits St. Ann’s and Wildwood Catholic High Schools.
