Thursday, May 25, 2023
Wildwood bans possession of alcohol on beach and boardwalk
New-look Bagel Time Cafe continues to grow with addition of “Bagel Yard,” other improvements
“If I stop moving, I’ll probably combust or something,” said the jovial owner of Bagel Time Cafe and Pink Cadillac Diner, with a laugh. “It’s hard for me to relax when there’s so much to do, and when all you see is potential.”
Bilios can often be seen at his establishments, bouncing from post to post - helping out in the kitchen, manning a register or engaging in conversation with his guests. During the offseason months, he plans, and plans, and plans… and, when necessary, he gets his hands dirty in the process of bringing those plans to life.
While he admits to being a “restless spirit,” Bilios takes great pride in the improvements he and his team have made over the past few years, especially at Bagel Time.
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Ala Kai Motel acquires neighboring Blue Marlin, Crest properties to be branded under one banner
Jay Maher, longtime owner of the Ala Kai Motel, has completed a deal to acquire the Blue Marlin Motel, its neighbor directly across the street at Atlantic & Toledo Avenues. After the holiday weekend, the two properties will effectively merge under the Ala Kai name.
“The ability to expand [the Ala Kai brand] and build off of what we have established was there, and I believe the time was right to make that move,” said Maher, who has not yet settled on a new name for the soon-to-be-former Blue Marlin, but confirmed that the two properties will operate under one banner.
“While the Blue Marlin name will be removed and branded under the Ala Kai umbrella, guests staying in the Marlin Building will feel at home with the accommodations they are familiar with. We will officially rebrand just after Memorial Day.
“We may call the Blue Marlin Building the ‘Ala Kai North’ or ‘The Marlin Building at Ala Kai Resort Motel’ for now. Still working through that, not completely settled on a permanent name yet. But, certainly, the only way to do this is for the entire operation to be branded as one.
“Two buildings, but one motel. One fluid operation.”
So, what can guests expect with the merger, this season and beyond?
HARDY joins lineup of highly anticipated Barefoot Country Music Fest
BCMF 2023 will feature 40+ of country’s hottest artists across five unique stages on the picturesque shores of Wildwood. Major headliners appearing on the Miller Lite Main Stage include: Blake Shelton, Kid Rock, Darius Rucker, and Jon Pardi.
HARDY had the time and Darius made the space, ensuring an unforgettable Saturday evening for country music fans. This generous gesture from Rucker allows HARDY and his crew to keep the momentum going and deliver an unforgettable experience for Barefoot, HARDY, and Hootie fans alike.
A Mississippi-born singer / songwriter, HARDY has made a name for himself as a boundary-pushing country rebel, with three No. 1 singles as an artist and thirteen No. 1s as a songwriter.
He is a 5X ACM Award winner, a 3X AIMP Songwriter of the Year, and the reigning BMI Country Songwriter of the Year. HARDY has collaborated with notable artists like Dierks Bentley, Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, and many more, further establishing his reputation as a respected figure in country music.
Darius Rucker, headliner of the Barefoot Country Music Fest Saturday night show is a celebrated musician.
He gained fame as the lead singer of Hootie & the Blowfish and achieved multi-Platinum status with their debut album. His transition to country music resulted in four No. 1 albums, 10 chart-topping singles, and an induction into the Grand Ole Opry. With a Grammy-winning rendition of "Wagon Wheel," Rucker solidified his place in country music history.
"We are thrilled to announce that HARDY, one of the hottest performers in country music right now, will be joining the star-studded lineup at the Barefoot Country Music Fest," stated Bob Durkin of Southern Entertainment. "We extend our gratitude to Darius Rucker for making space for HARDY to perform on Saturday night."
Monday, May 22, 2023
Surfer injured at Stone Harbor's 109th Street beach, injuries consistent with bite by shark
Punch King Fitness to partner with Wildwood Catholic Academy for summer workouts
“As a father of a Wildwood Catholic student, I knew I wanted to support the school while offering the community a top fitness program,” said owner Jeff Wallace. “Wildwood Catholic is a great organization and I am happy we are able to host this summer long fundraiser.”
Boxing will be daily, Monday through Saturday, at 8 AM from June 17th til September 8th with bootcamp following at 9 AM. Classes are $25 each or a ten class pass is available for $200, valid at off site classes only. A large portion of the proceeds will be donated to Wildwood Catholic from all class entry fees.
“My goal was to bring something next level to the beach, and our classes are just that,” said Wallace. “The mobile boxing unit offers the same technology we have on site and we will have our same great trainers for both classes. We consider our business ‘fitness reimagined’ and this summer the North Wildwood community will get a taste of that.”
During the last week in May there will be a “grand opening” of the mobile boxing unit on the Academy’s grounds where students will participate in trial classes as a fun end of school year, team building, activity.
Punch King is located at 7 North Wildwood Boulevard in the new Grapevine Plaza in Cape May Court House. The facility offers the first of its kind fitness tracking for all classes plus open gym, personal training, and much more. An expansion of the popular business is scheduled for this summer, after just 8 successful months in business.
For more information on Punch King, visit punchkingfitnessnj.com.
Wildwood Crest announces 2023 beach lifeguard coverage
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Despite "premature" announcement, Wildwood officials working to make car show return to the Boardwalk official
On Monday evening, JSM Productions LLC, the event planning team behind the island's signature automotive shows, announced formative plans for the Fall Classic Car Show's return to the Boardwalk after a three-year absence.
Thursday, May 11, 2023
Wildwood Crest awarded $400K infrastructure grant from Cape May County
Downtown Wildwood Farmers Market kicks off 10th season on Saturday, May 27th (+ 2023 Byrne Plaza events schedule)
Tuesday, May 9, 2023
Wildwood swears in new City Clerk, Lisa Brown
WILDWOOD, NJ – Mayor Pete Byron, Deputy Mayor Krista Fitzsimons and Commissioner Steve Mikulski swore in the new City Clerk at the Board of Commissioners Meeting April 26, 2023. Lisa Brown replaces Chris Wood who served as City Clerk from 2005 to 2023. Brown was initially hired by the Clerk’s Office on October 28, 2002.
The Municipal Clerk is the Secretary of the Municipal Corporation, Secretary to the Governing Body, Chief Administrative Officer of all Elections, Chief Registrar of Voters, Records Coordinator and Manager. Some actions performed under those duties, include but are not limited to, maintaining custody of municipal records, preparing agendas and recording minutes, administering oaths of office, suggesting polling places and maintaining receipts of election results, and accepting applications for licenses and permit.
Brown attended Wildwood schools through graduation. She beamed, “Wildwood is and will forever be my home – my parents, Bill and Barbara Fisher built my Maple Avenue childhood home from the ground up. To be able to grow up here, and in turn raise my family here, has been nothing short of a blessing. I take great pride in our strong, tightknit community and am extremely grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve the residents and guests of the City of Wildwood.”
Brown and longtime partner, Chris D’Amico, live in Wildwood with her 16-year-old son, Tyler Brown. Her eldest son, Michael Brown (22), recently made her a grandmother.
The Board of Commissioners would like to thank Chris Wood for his 18 years of service to the City and wish him health and happiness in his retirement.
Brown’s promotion makes her the eighth woman in executive leadership in the municipality.
Monday, May 8, 2023
Downtown Wildwood Farmers Market kicks off 10th season on Saturday, May 27th
The Wildwoods kick off Memorial Day Weekend with the 37th Annual International Kite Festival - Friday, May 26 to Monday, May 29
The Wildwoods' Unlocking of the Ocean ceremony set for Friday, May 26th
Taking place simultaneously with the annual International Kite Festival – the largest Kite Festival in North America – on the beach, a colorful, kite-filled sky will serve as the backdrop while invited dignitaries and more than 200 elementary school children participate in the ceremonious “unlocking” of the ocean for the 2023 summer season, using an oversized, ornate ‘W’ key.
Who
The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) representatives, tourism, state, county, local and city officials, guest speakers, a surprise guest, and more than 200 elementary school children.
What
The official Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony and Media Event, and kick-off of the International Kite Festival.
When
Friday, May 26 at noon
Where
On the beach at Andrews Avenue next to the Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held indoors at the Wildwoods Convention Center.
Why
To officially launch the summer tourist season in the Wildwoods and to kick off the Annual International Kite Festival.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
Friday, May 5, 2023
Wildwood stands firm: No unsanctioned events
The City is pursuing legal action against the event planner with City Solicitor, Louis DeLollis, Esq., recently filing a Verified Complaint against the event promoter in the Superior Court of New Jersey. Along with the Complaint, DeLollis has also sought an injunction requiring the event promoter to advertise that the event has been cancelled and barring the event promoter from taking any action to encourage the promotion of the unauthorized pop-up event. On May 3, 2023, the Court signed an order granting the City’s request for the injunction, with a hearing date scheduled before the Court on May 11, 2023.
Currently, the City is demanding that the May 13-15 event planners advertise that their unsanctioned event is cancelled. They must post ads against coming to Wildwood, NJ, and they must cease and desist transporting people.
The public should be aware of any large or unusual groups seeking accommodation on this weekend. In the event inquiries or reservations are sought, they should contact the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office at (609) 465-1135, or the information can be reported anonymously through the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office Anonymous TIP System by visiting cmcpo.tips. Information can also be reported to the Cape May County Sheriff’s Tip Line at cmcsheriff.net and click on anonymous tip, or through the Cape May County Crime Stoppers, 609-889-3597.
The City of Wildwood Police Department is working in unison with other municipalities, the county and state. All agencies are mobilizing and stand ready to stop this unsanctioned event.
Anyone who seeks to host an event in the City of Wildwood must seek a special event permit which notifies various agencies such as Police, Fire, EMT and Public Works. The application can be found at https://app.apply4.com/eventapp/usa/wildwood.