The New Jersey State Firemen's Convention: Meeting in the Wilwooods since 1975

Thousands of firefighters and their families representing every county in New Jersey migrate to the five-mile island for the weekend's equipment displays, meetings, seminars, vendors and a grand parade of trucks and equipment...

PRESS RELEASE

THE WILDWOODS - The annual New Jersey State Firemen's Convention returns to the Wildwoods on Friday, September 15 and Saturday, September 16. Since 1975, the convention has been held in the Wildwoods during the second week of September.

The Firemen's Convention, with its vast attendance and growth, generates a positive economic impact of over $10 million for the Wildwoods and Cape May County during the shoulder season.

The decades-old Wildwoods tradition, however, was nearly halted in 2001 - as the convention attendance began to outgrow the older, smaller convention center that existed prior to the rebuild in 2002 that resulted in today's 260,000-square-foot venue.

"The New Jersey Firemen's Convention in the Wildwoods remains a significant event for our destination, attracting thousands of visitors to enjoy our beaches, world famous boardwalk, restaurants, businesses and attractions, during our vibrant second season," said Louis M. Belasco, Greater Wildwood Tourism, Improvement & Development (GWTIDA) Executive Director.

Firetrucks and fire apparatus from around the state will be displayed in the Wildwoods Convention Center parking lots on Friday, September 15 from 8 am to 6 pm and Saturday, September 16 from 8 am to 1 pm.

The Five Mile Beach Volunteer Firemen's Association will also present an expo of fire equipment and vendors of fire-related products - often described as the largest exposition of its kind east of the Mississippi - at Fox Park, across from the Wildwoods Convention Center.

The expo takes place on Friday from 8 am to 6 pm and Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm.

One of the highlights and main attractions during Firemen's Weekend is the Firefighter's Parade - a grand procession of gleaming firetrucks and apparatus/equipment that's a family favorite. This year's parade will be held on Saturday, September 16 at 2 pm along New Jersey Avenue, from Cresse Avenue in Wildwood Crest, proceeding north to 26th Avenue in North Wildwood. 

In addition, the Wildwood Crest Firefighter's Weekend Craft Show at Sunrise Park in Wildwood Crest will be held from 9 am to 5 pm on Friday, September 15 and 9 am to 1 pm on Saturday, September 16. For more information on the craft show, call 609-522-0202 or visit www.WildwoodCrest.org.

For more information on the New Jersey State Firemen's Convention & Parade, call 800-852-0137 or visit www.njsfa.com.

For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.