PRESS RELEASE
The snowy winter will soon melt away, making way for the spring 2014 warm-up. To celebrate, the Wildwoods have plenty of great events planned for the season.
“The tourism season is more than just the summer in the Wildwoods,” said Executive Director of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA) John Siciliano. “We start rolling right after the New Year with a full schedule of events in the Wildwoods Convention Center and continue with island-wide and Convention Center events and festivals through December. This spring is no exception, and we are ready to usher in warm-weather family fun,” he added.
On Saturday and Sunday, March 8 - 9, the Mid-Atlantic National Cheerleading Championships will take over the Wildwoods Convention Center for two days of dance and cheer competitions. Saturday’s event will begin at 8 a.m.; Sunday’s event will begin at 7 a.m.
During the St. Patrick’s Day Celebration on Saturday, March 15, the streets of North Wildwood will be jam-packed with people dressed to the ‘T’ in green attire and vendors of all varieties. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place at noon and will proceed north on Atlantic Avenue to Olde New Jersey Avenue.
On Sunday, March 23, the Wildwoods Convention Center will host the Spring Bridal Fair, the largest Bridal Fair in Southern New Jersey, from noon - 5 p.m. where brides to be will have the opportunity to meet with wedding professionals and vendors, see a bridal fashion show courtesy of Wedding Belles Boutique, and have the chance to win a 5-day, 4-night all-inclusive honeymoon to Secrets St. James, an oceanfront romantic resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, courtesy of Berman Travel and AM Resorts. The bridal fair is free to attend and will feature more than 100 vendors.
March also features the Special Olympics NJ Basketball Finals on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30. This is a multi-day event where more than 1,000 Special Olympic athletes from New Jersey will compete in basketball competitions.
The Wildwoods Convention Center will also host the Health & Fitness Expo from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Saturday, March 29 featuring vendors with the latest runner’s gear, accessories and reading materials as they prepare and check-in for the Ocean Drive Marathon on Sunday, March 30.
April kicks off with the Wildwoods Convention Center hosting the Cummins School of Irish Dance who will present ‘Feis at the Beach’ Irish dance competitions on Saturday, April 5. Doors open at 9 a.m. with competitions from 10 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. which will include more than 1,000 dancers of all ages and expertise who will be performing to Irish music and prizes will be awarded in several categories. This event is FREE to attend.
April will also feature a weekend of cheerleading competitions in the Wildwoods Convention Center. On Saturday, April 12, the ECC Cheer Shore Show Down takes place from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and on Sunday, April 13, the “Beast of the East” Cheerleading Competition returns to the Wildwoods Convention Center from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. The following weekend, Thursday through Saturday, April 17 – 19 the “War at the Shore” Youth Wrestling Tournament also takes place in the Wildwoods Convention Center. This annual event features the region’s top youth wrestlers competing in National Folkstyle Wrestling.
The Easter festivities begin in the Wildwoods on Saturday, April 19 with two Easter egg hunts: the Elks Annual Easter Egg Hunt on the beach at 19th Avenue in North Wildwood and the Greater Wildwood Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt on the beach at Lincoln Avenue in Wildwood. Both start at noon. On Easter Sunday, April 20, Ed’s Funcade Easter Egg Hunt in the Hay will take place on the boardwalk at 23rd Avenue in North Wildwood from noon -1:30 p.m. Children 12 and under will have the chance to win great prizes and participation is FREE. Morey’s Piers also opens on Sunday, April 20 and will host an Easter opening day celebration for the whole family starting at 11 a.m.
The Sensational Spring Concert Weekend kicks off Friday, April 25 with a dance party featuring the David Christopher Band at the Wildwoods Convention Center from 7 - 11 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person. A FREE street fair will take place Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Fox Park featuring classic cars, food and craft vendors, a Doo Wop Bus Tour, live entertainment and more.
The highlight of the weekend is a star-studded concert in the Wildwoods Convention Center’s Oceanfront Arena on Saturday night at 7 p.m. featuring Jefferson Starship, Mark Farner formerly of Grand Funk Railroad, and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels. Tickets are $49.50 or $65.50 per person and are on sale at TicketMaster.com or 800-745-3000. On Saturday and Sunday, April 26 and 27, the Annual Spring Motorcycle Rally will take place at the intersection of Oak and Atlantic Avenues in Wildwood from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. daily with motorcycle vendors of all sorts.
From Wednesday, April 30 – Sunday, May 4, the Wildwoods Convention Center hosts the Tournament of Bands Indoor Championships. This all-chapter championship contest hosts bands from all over the east coast competing to win the title. The Spring Boardwalk Classic Car Show takes place on Friday and Saturday, May 9-10, on the Wildwoods boardwalk from 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. On Sunday, May 11, Morey’s Piers honors Mother’s Day with a celebration for the entire family. Moms get some extra TLC on the piers and get to ride the rides for FREE!
The United States Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs will hold its annual State Gymnastics Championships at the Wildwoods Convention Center Friday, May 9 – Sunday, May 11. Competitions will be featured on the floor, balance beam, uneven bars and vault. The times are Friday, 5:30 p.m. - 9 p.m.; Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday, 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. On Wednesday, May 14, the Wildwoods Restaurant Showcase will feature a sampling of some of the Wildwoods’ finest restaurants and specialty shops. All proceeds benefit the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce Foundation and scholarships for area high school seniors. This event will take place from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Bolero Resort and Conference Center located at 3320 Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood.
Morey’s Piers Beach Jam Spring Beach Bash will take place from Friday, May 16 through Sunday, May 18 at Schellenger Avenue and the Boardwalk where Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts from around the country camp on the beach. This is an enjoyable time and experience for those Scouts!
Captain Kidd Pirate Day will take place on Saturday, May 17. The day starts with a pirate costume parade beginning on 26th & the Boardwalk at 11 a.m. A treasure hunt will follow at 19th & the beach, North Wildwood for children ages 12 and under. Prizes include $500, bikes, weekend stays, gift cards and more. To register for the parade ONLY call 609-522-2955. Registration begins on May 1. Registration is not necessary to participate in the treasure hunt on the beach.
The Wild Half Marathon presented by Morey's Piers takes place on Sunday, May 18. It will be one wild weekend. Every race entry includes one FREE single weekend pass to Morey's Piers. In addition to the 13.1 mile marathon, there will be a 4.8 mile race (8K) offered this year. The race begins at 7:30 a.m. in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center. For more information, call 609-522-3900. Register now at www.RunWildwoods.com.
On Friday, May 23 through Monday, May 26, the 29th Annual Wildwoods International Kite Festival, the largest kite festival in North America, takes place on the beach at Rio Grande Avenue and inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. This event is FREE to spectators. Also on Friday, May 23, the Wildwoods will ceremoniously “unlock” the ocean to officially launch the summer 2014 season and unveil its first Wildwoods Icon Wall Mural. Wildwoods favorite son and special guest of honor Bobby Rydell will be on hand for the unveiling ceremony.
Be sure to visit the Wildwoods website at www.WildwoodsNJ.com for the most up-to-date information and details about upcoming events and additional information about the Wildwoods, or call 800-992-9732.
Below is a partial list of the Wildwoods’ Spring 2014 events:*
March 8-9 – Mid-Atlantic National Cheerleading Championship
March 15 – St. Patrick’s Day Celebration & Parade
March 23 – Spring Bridal Fair
March 29-30 – Special Olympics NJ Basketball Finals
March 29-30 – Ocean Drive Marathon and Health & Fitness Expo
April 1 – Jersey Shore Beach N Boat Fishing Tournament
April 5 – Feis at the Beach – Irish Dance Competitions
April 12 – ECC Cheer Shore Show Down
April 13 – “Beast of the East” Cheerleading Competition
April 17-19 – “War at the Shore” Youth Wrestling
April 19 – Elks Annual Easter Egg Hunt
April 19 – Greater Wildwood Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt
April 20 – Morey’s Piers Easter Opening Day Celebration
April 20 – Ed’s Funcade Easter Sunday Egg Hunt in the Hay
April 25-26 – Sensational Spring Concert Weekend featuring Jefferson Starship, Mark Farner formerly of Grand Funk Railroad, and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheel
April 26-27 – Spring Motorcycle Rally
April 30-May 4 – Tournament of Bands Indoor Championships
May 1 – Jersey Shore Beach N Boat Fishing Tournament
May 8-11 – Spring Boardwalk Classic Car Show
May 9-11 – State Gymnastics Championships
May 11 – Morey’s Piers Mother’s Day Celebration
May 14 – Wildwoods Restaurant Showcase
May 16-18 – Morey’s Piers Beach Jam Spring Beach Bash
May 17 – ‘Wild Child’ Half Marathon
May 17 – Captain Kidd Pirate Day
May 17 – JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes
May 18 – Wild Half Marathon
May 23 – Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremon
May 23 – Wildwoods Icon Wall Mural Unveiling with special guest Bobby Rydell
May 23-25 – Regional Gymnastics Championships
May 23-26 – 29th Annual Wildwoods International Kite Festival
May 24 – Candlelight Vigil to Honor our Veterans
May 24-25 – Boardwalk SID Craft Show
May 25 – Wildwood Crest Summer Kickoff Concert featuring The Fabulous Greaseband
May 26 – Wildwoods’ Memorial Day Services and Ceremonies
May 28-30 – Morey’s Piers Annual Education Extravaganza
May 29-31 – The Greater New Jersey United Methodist Annual Conference
May 30 – Music in the Parks
May 31 – Morey’s Piers Beach Bop
May 31 – South Jersey Walk-A-Thon
*Please note that the information and dates above are subject to change.
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About the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority
The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) was formed in 1993 to consolidate the tourism economy of its three founding municipalities: Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood. The Wildwoods have won numerous travel and tourism awards, heralding the resort for its beaches, boardwalk and attractions.
The Wildwoods’ Morey’s Piers were named in 2014 among the Top 10 Piers by Coastal Living. In 2013 the Wildwoods were also recognized as one of the Most Awesome Boardwalks in America by BudgetTravel.com; as the Favorite Shore Town by Delaware County Daily Times readers; as the Favorite Beach and Boardwalk by NJ.com readers; the Top Family-Friendly Beach Town by NerdWallet.com; and as One of America’s Top 10 U.S. Tourist Towns by families voting in FamilyFun magazine. They were also named “Best Beaches in New Jersey” in the 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2008 Top Ten New Jersey Beaches public survey, sponsored by the New Jersey Marine Sciences Consortium. Wildwoods’ beaches were also named “Best Beach for Family Vacations,” “Best Beach for Tourism,” “Best Beach for Events,” “Best Beach for Eco-Tourism” and “Best Beach for Day Trips” in the same surveys. The Wildwoods were named #1 Boardwalk in the nation by FamilyVacationCritic.com in 2012; and Smarter Travel also named the Wildwoods Boardwalk, one of “Americas Best Boardwalks.” The 2012 list of “15 Destinations on the Rise” for TripAdvisor included the Wildwoods, and Home.com voted the Wildwoods one of “Americas Top 10 Scenic Seasides of the Summer.” In addition, the Wildwoods were voted “Best Town” in the 2009 and 2011 PHL-17 Philly Hot List, Jersey Shore Edition contest; and were one of Sherman’s Travel’s “Top Ten American Boardwalks” for two years in a row.
The Tourism Authority operates the Wildwoods Convention Center and acts as the island’s destination marketing organization overseeing the development, research, planning, marketing, advertising, promotion, public and media relations encompassing the tourism, meeting and convention industry in the Wildwoods. Additionally, the Authority funds, assists with and hosts more than 180 annual special events to enhance the visitor experience and extend the tourism season, including the Beach Monster Mash Truck Races, Family Nights On The Boardwalk, Friday Night Fireworks, the New Jersey State Barbeque Championships and Anglesea Blues Festival, Classic Car Shows, the International Kite Festival, Irish and Italian Festivals and the National Marbles Tournament, among others.
For more information about the Wildwoods, contact the GWTIDA at 800-WW-By-Sea (800-992-9732) or visit its web site, www.WildwoodsNJ.com.
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