It’s official: the Fall Classic Car Show will return to the Wildwood Boardwalk for the first time since 2019.
The go-ahead for the event, set for September 22-24, was given by the City of Wildwood, following a comprehensive structural report by Red Bank-based Colliers Engineering & Design, Inc.
This year, cars will be displayed ONLY along the eight-block stretch from 26th Avenue to Oak Avenue - the “central” portion of the promenade that received structural rehabilitation via Phases I & II of the Boardwalk Renovation Project over the past two offseasons.
Cars will not be lined up south of Schellenger Avenue, where Phase III is set to begin sometime this fall. There will also be no vehicles on the North Wildwood portion of the Boardwalk (north of 26th Avenue), as the city continues to plan out its own rehab project.
The show, however, will continue down at the Wildwoods Convention Center, which has offered the concrete area in front of the building, as well as the semi-circle abutting the Boardwalk, as additional display areas.
“We worked hard to determine the weight limits, number of cars and exact location of a portion of the car show,” explained Wildwood Deputy Mayor Krista Fitzsimons and Commissioner Steve Mikulski, in a joint reply to Wildwood 365. “Our engineers provided us with a report with all of that information, adding space requirements between cars.
“We were happy to be able to accommodate the event promoter’s request of returning the show to the Boardwalk. Although not in its entirety, it’s a start and we look forward to seeing more progress in the coming years.”
Based on the engineering firm’s assessment, the Boardwalk between 26th & Oak Avenues will be able to safely accommodate 130 vehicles, with at least 8 feet spacing between each. Cars will load on and off via the ramp at Juniper Avenue.
Traditionally held on the third weekend after Labor Day, along with the Irish Fall Festival in North Wildwood and Wildwood Crest’s Seafarer’s Celebration, the Fall Classic Car Show is one of the island’s signature events and a highlight of the “second season” (post-summer) schedule.
The show has been absent from the Boardwalk for the past three seasons, primarily due to structural issues that the Boardwalk Renovation Project continues to address. The event was canceled outright in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and was held along Pacific Avenue in 2021 and 2022.
News of the car show’s return to the Boardwalk follows last week’s announcement that the “Monsters on the Beach” monster truck events will also be coming back this fall (Sept 30 - Oct 1), after a three-year absence.
“Being able to bring these signature events back is a huge win all the way around,” said Bob Sahasaylo, Executive Director of the Greater Wildwood Hotel/Motel Association, which oversees Wildwood Motor Sports. “It’s great for our hotels, motels and local businesses, as we continue to expand the Wildwoods’ reshaped fall events calendar.
“Getting the classic car show back to its rightful place on the Boardwalk has been a process, a real collaborative effort amongst several agencies, with tremendous reward. While some details still need to be ironed out, we’re looking forward to a terrific show this year, and to building off of that success in the years to come.”
A big part of that projected success, Sahasaylo explained, can be attributed to the local business partners who have invested in the car show’s present and future. This year, the event will be sponsored by East Side Surf Shop, Pink Cadillac Diner, Mack’s Pizza, Douglass Candies and the Cape May Whale Watcher.
“Without the support of these businesses, we wouldn’t be able to pull this off.”
Those interested in registering a car for the event can visit www.WildwoodCarShows.net.
For additional information on Wildwood Motor Events, check out www.Wildwoods.org or call 609-522-4546.
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