Morey’s Giant Slide Slated to Slide into History

 

Moreys' Piers says 'goodbye' to its first attraction - The Giant Slide or "Wipe Out" - during a farewell celebration Sunday, October 10th during the piers' Super Sunday Closing Celebration

The Giant Slide at Morey’s Piers, known as “Wipe Out,” will officially slide into history as a memory following a “farewell celebration” slated for Sunday, October 10, from noon-2 p.m., at Morey’s Surfside Pier, located on the Boardwalk at 26^th Street in North Wildwood.

The public celebration will include photo opportunities, a “Memory Lane” display of historical images, and an exhibit of future attractions. Morey mascot, Sunny C. Gull, will be on hand, and all attendees will receive a complimentary memorial postcard.

Through an online lottery system, 200 lucky sliders will have a “last chance” to slide down the Wipe Out. Also during this time, orders will be taken for a memorial piece of the slide for $50 each, with proceeds being donated to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) archive preservation fund.

The farewell ceremony will mark 42 years since brothers Bill and Will Morey spotted a giant 12-lane fiberglass slide operating near a shopping center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in the fall of 1968. Inspired by what they saw, the brothers purchased a similar ride, called it “The Wipe Out” and officially entered a life long passion in the amusement business.

For more information about Morey’s Piers, visit www.moreyspiers.com.

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About Morey’s Piers

Morey’s Piers, located on the boardwalk in the Wildwoods, New Jersey is a classic seaside amusement park, family owned and operated since 1969. Voted the third best seaside amusement park in the world by Amusement Today, Morey’s Piers has over 100 rides and attractions spanning over eighteen acres along six beach blocks and includes three amusement piers and two beachfront waterparks. Convenient to the major population centers of the Northeast, yet a world apart, Morey’s Piers along with Morey Resorts combines the pure joy of an amusement park, the sights and sounds of a classic boardwalk, outstanding accommodations, together with the rhythm of beach life. Visit them at Surfside Pier, featuring the Ocean Oasis Waterpark and Beach Club at 25th Avenue, Mariner’s Landing Pier, featuring Raging Waters Waterpark at Schellenger Avenue, and Adventure Pier at Spencer Avenue. For more information, visit www.moreyspiers.com or phone (609) 522-3900.

The Preservation League to host "Neon" book author

PRESS RELEASE

The Doo Wop Experience museum will host a book signing for Robert O. Williams. His latest homage to the halcyon days of Wildwood titled “Wildwood's Neon Nights & Motel Memories” will take place on Saturday September 25, 2010 from Noon until 2pm.

This gloriously illustrated book takes readers on Wildwood's wild ride from a seaside playground in the ’60s and ’70s through the tumultuous ’90s and beyond, finally resting at its reincarnation with present-day Wildwood, where two of the doo-wop motels are listed on the National Register for Historic Places.

As much about neon signs as it is about the motels, the book is a trip down memory lane that will take many back to their youth, with 220 color photos to help make those memories more vivid.

The story behind Wildwood's roller coaster of kitsch, class and memories is told by Melinda Williams, also formerly of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Listen in as the pioneers of the sign industry, building trade and advertising world share how they created their niche in Wildwood and helped it gain international recognition in the realms of heritage tourism, Mid-century architecture and roadside Americana.

The book is photographed by Williams, author who is best known as a Philadelphia Inquirer staff photographer for 22 years and Pulitzer Prize nominee.

To purchase the book and meet the author, visit the Doo Wop Experience, Malt Shop and Neon Sign Garden at 4500 Ocean Avenue in Wildwood, NJ.

Fireworks finale rescheduled for tonight

The last Boardwalk fireworks show of the season was canceled due to Hurricane Earl, but has been rescheduled for tonight.

The show, which will also include a laser light display, will begin at 10 p.m. on the beach at Pine Avenue.

This will be the last chance to see fireworks in Wildwood until 2011!

For a complete list of this weekend's events, click HERE.

Boardwalk Classic Car Show returns Sept 23-25

PRESS RELEASE

New Jersey Thunder Motorsports Inc. will host the 17th Annual Boardwalk Classic Car Show Thursday, September 23 through Saturday, September 25.

This three-day island-wide event features an incredible collection of completely restored classic cars as well as lots of fun activities that are sure to entertain the car lover in all of us.

Festivities for those registered for the show start on Thursday, September 23 from 6-8:30 p.m. with the Annual Classic Car Street Festival held on Sweet Briar, Wisteria and Columbine Roads in Wildwood Crest. The street festival will feature a drive-in movie – American Graffiti, a DJ, food and trophies.

Trophies will be awarded to the Best Original and Best Rod. Best of Show Plaques will be awarded to the Best Engine, Best Interior, and Best Paint. Judging will start at 7:00 p.m. and the results will be announced at 8:30 p.m. Parking on Sweet Briar, Atlantic Ave. will be blocked off for the car show participants to showcase their cars so they may be judged.

Spectators will have the opportunity to go back in time and experience the craftsmanship of these classic cars as they are displayed on the Wildwoods Boardwalk from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, September 24 and Saturday, September 25.

Former Eagles Star Hugh Douglas will make a special appearance from 12:30 - 2 p.m. on Friday at the AAA display outside the Hot Rod store and will sign autographs for one hour. Friday will also feature a “Car Cruise” down Ocean Avenue from Hildreth to Garfield beginning at 8 p.m.

Saturday evening’s festivities will include the “Winner’s Circle” event, which will take place in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center from 6-8 p.m. The “Winner’s Circle” will include the Top 40 Winners, Top Gun, Ladies’ Choice, Best Interior, Best Paint, Most Likely to Get Pulled Over, Club Participation Award and Best Engine Winners as they all line up to select the “Best of Show.” A cash prize and a trophy will be awarded to the car that takes the “Best of Show,” honors.

Saturday night’s activities don’t stop there, as a new awards ceremony has been added to this year’s extravaganza from 8:30-10 p.m. at the Wildwoods Convention Center where trophies will be handed out and drawings will be held for participants to win cash prizes of $150, $250 and $500.

Registration for classic car owners will be held at the Imperial 500 Motel located at Forget-Me-Not and Atlantic Avenues in Wildwood Crest on Thursday, September 23 from 4-10 p.m.; Friday, September 24 from 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sunday September 25 from 8 a.m.-noon.

For more information about the 17th Annual Boardwalk Classic Car Show, visit www.ThunderMoto.com or call 609-523-8051.

For more information about the Wildwoods visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 609-729-9000. 

NJ State Firemen's Convention begins tomorrow

The annual convention of the New Jersey State Firemen and Life Members will begin tomorrow and run through the weekend.

Saturday afternoon will feature a parade that will begin at 1 p.m., running from Crocus Road in Wildwood Crest to 9th Avenue in North Wildwood.

More detailed information on this week's events, visit www.njsfa.com.

"Dubs on the Boards" today

In addition to this being the final day of the Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally and Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash events, today will also feature "Dubs on the Boards."

The car show, now in its third year, focuses on vehicles produced by European car manufacturers, most notably Volkswagen and Audi.

Vehicles will be displayed on the North Wildwood end of the Boardwalk between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For more info and photos from past years' events, see the official Dubs on the Boards website. Also, check out "Dubs" on Facebook.

Roar to the Shore photos

The Wildwoods Convention Center has posted several photos from the Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally on their Facebook age.

Click HERE to check them out.

The event began yesterday, and will continue through the weekend, along with the first annual Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash.

If you are in the Wildwoods this weekend, we'd love to hear your thoughts on the events and see your pictures.

To share, drop us a line at wildwood365@gmail.com!

Free family fun today/tonight at Fox Park

Today is Day 4 of the first All-General Motors Car Show, sponsored by the Greater Wildwood Hotel/Motel Association (GWHMA).

Cars will be displayed in Fox Park (Ocean Ave. between Montgomery & Burk) between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Awards will take place at 2 p.m. and there will be entertainment throughout the day.

For more information, please call 609-522-4546.

This evening will be the final Fox Park Amphitheater Concert Series event of the season, featuring Beatlemania. The show begins at 7:30 p.m.

For more, call 609-522-2444 or visit www.wildwoodnj.org.

Eagles Celek & Bradley at Gateway 26 today

Philadelphia Eagles stars Brent Celek and Stewart Bradley will be appearing at Gateway 26 Casino (26th & Boardwalk) this afternoon from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Autograph prices:

Celek:  $35
Bradley:  $20
Combo:  $50

Click the ad or visit MJR Sport Integrity for more information.

The Eagles will begin their 78th season in the National Football League next Sunday when they host the Green Bay Packers at Lincoln Financial Field.

The day after the hurricane

A follow-up on yesterday's video reports on Hurricane Earl from the deck of the Matador Oceanfront Resort Motel...

View of Mother Nature's fury from the Matador

Check out the view from the Matador Oceanfront Resort Motel this afternoon...

Earl's gone, but wrath will be felt Labor Day Weekend

PRESS RELEASE

In the wake of Hurricane Earl, the threat for rip currents will continue through the Labor Day weekend along the East Coast.

While the wind and rain effects of Earl will pull away from the New England coast by early Saturday, beachgoers and surfers should be aware of another danger lurking in the ocean waters: deadly rip currents.
Beaches in Cape Cod are taking precautionary measures.

Daniel Tobin, director of Chatham's Parks and Recreation said the "east-facing beaches [of Chatham] are closed for swimming." He anticipates that these closures will continue through Saturday and possibly in to Sunday.

However, Tobin said the south-facing beaches of Chatham are open and likely to remain so. Tobin also noted that they are also starting to see rain from Earl.

Bob Rosenberg, assistant supervisor of lifeguards for Bradley Beach in New Jersey, said that a full staff of lifeguards will be on duty this weekend. Rosenberg said swimming will not be allowed on Friday as Earl has created rough conditions.

Rosenberg said they are expecting a lot of visitors over Labor Day weekend. He said "there will be some restrictions" for swimming, depending on water conditions.

While Rosenberg said it is to early to know exactly what the water conditions and the subsequent restrictions will be, he said there won't be unlimited swimming. For example, he said people may only be allowed in as far as waist-level water.

These restrictions are established to help diminish the risk of people getting caught in rip currents.
Rip currents are dangerous swift-moving channels of water that originate at the shoreline and flow out to sea. Their development is aided by rough surf from tropical systems.

Long swells generated by Earl will travel thousands of miles up and down the East Coast, allowing the threat for rip currents to extend all along the coast. This will be true even farther south through the Carolinas and Florida, where wave heights will be subsiding.

Last week, as Hurricane Danielle passed far offshore, there were hundreds of water rescues along the East Coast. Since Earl is stronger and tracking closer to the coast, the strength and frequency of rip currents is expected to be worse.

Be sure to heed the advice of beach patrol when venturing into the ocean this weekend. If you become trapped in a rip current, act calm and swim parallel to the coastline while signaling for help.

AccuWeather.com Staff Writer Kirstie Hettinga contributed to this report. 

Tattoo Beach Bash coming to Wildwood

PRESS RELEASE

WILDWOOD — Whether you enjoy having tattoos or are just interested in the unique art form, you won’t want to miss the Wildwoods’ first Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash Fri., Sept. 10 through Sun., Sept. 12 at the Wildwoods Convention Center.

The Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash will bring the body art community to the Wildwoods for a weekend full of fun events. The ‘bash’ will host major national tattoo artists, as well as activities including: tattoo contests, a traveling tattoo museum, seminars, art exhibits, trick skateboarding demos, door prizes and more.

Celebrity judge Chris Longo, well-known in the body art community for his body “suit” of tattoos, is expected to attend and judge the bash’s tattoo contests. Carl Murray, an award-winning professional broadcaster, comedy writer, and disc jockey will be Master of Ceremonies during the weekend’s events.

The weekend will also feature daily performances from the Lucky Daredevil Thrill Show – a fast paced and funny, death-defying daredevil stunt spectacular with the glitter, glamour and gut-wrenching thrills of a Vegas review show.

Hours for the Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash are: Fri., Sept. 10, noon-10 p.m; Sat., Sept. 11–10 a.m.-10 p.m.; and Sun., Sept. 12 – 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Daily passes for the event’s activities are $20. Weekend passes are also available for $45 for all three days.

The first Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash is being held in conjunction with the 15th annual Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally. Thousands of bikers are expected to migrate to the Wildwoods for a weekend of motorcycling vendors and demos, plus live musical entertainment all weekend.

For more information about the First Annual Wildwood Tattoo Beach Bash visit www.wildwoodtattoobeachbash.com or call 609-889-2422

Ancient Order of Hibernians 19th Annual Irish Fall Festival

PRESS RELEASE

NORTH WILDWOOD — The largest Irish festival on the east coast begins on Thurs., Sept. 23rd, 2010 and concludes on Sun., Sept. 26. This festive four-day event is sponsored by James J. Reilly, Division 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). The AOH is an organization, which fosters and preserves Irish culture and heritage.

The success of this festival has been overwhelming, and continues to draw more and more people each year. With over one hundred vendors, sixteen food vendors, and an estimated crowd of over 200,000, this gathering will definitely be the place you want to be.

The activities begin on Thurs., Sept. 23rd, at 7:30 a.m. with a round of golf at the Avalon Golf Club on Route 9 in Swainton. The $90.00 fee includes golf fees, cart, cap, buffet, beer and many prizes. Space is limited and reservations are suggested. For additional information, please contact the AOH.

On Thursday evening, the festival will begin where Olde New Jersey Avenue meets the ocean. The tent at The Pointe at Moore’s Inlet will be transformed into a boxing arena. Ten amateur boxing bouts, sanctioned by the Middle Atlantic Boxing Association, will feature the Harrowgate Boxing Club, Philadelphia, Pa. vs. the Holy Family Boxing Club, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The event is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. For advanced ticket sales please call 215-465-1778 or contract the AOH.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday the festivities will take place on Olde New Jersey Avenue. Here the street vendors will display their Irish memorabilia, and the food vendors will offer a variety of Irish and non-Irish treats. This activity begins at 8 a.m. each morning and continues until 7 p.m. There is sure to be something for everyone. Stop by and visit the AOH table for additional information.

On Friday and Saturday, there will be free live entertainment continuously from 1 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. As always, the concert will begin with the National Anthem sung by Dolly McGee, followed by the Irish National Anthem sung by Mary Pat Hastings. Other featured performers include: Timmy Kelly, Maura McKinney-Mastro, Ballina, Broken Shillelaghs, Birmingham 6, Celtic Pride and many, many more.

Saturday begins with a 5K Run. If you are interested, you can sign up at 8 a.m. at the AOH tent (between First and Second Avenues) on Olde New Jersey Avenue. Cash prizes will be awarded.

Saturday at 10 a.m. the Brian Riley Pipe Exhibition will take place at the field located at Eighth and Central avenues. This event attracts thousands of spectators. Come see and hear some of the best pipe bands in the East.

Also on Saturday, the AOH will host free Irish dance lessons at the Anglesea Volunteer Fire House, located in the heart of the festival activities at Second and Olde New Jersey avenues from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Later that evening join in the action and spend the evening at the Ceili taking place from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. The Pearl River Ceili Band will be performing at this event. There is a $15 admission fee and includes a light fare (coffee, tea, cookies and cakes). Other refreshments will be available.

On Sunday, everyone is welcome to celebrate our faith and heritage at Saint Anne’s Roman Catholic Church, Glenwood and Atlantic Avenues for 10:30 a.m. Mass. There will be a procession from the main entrance to the altar by the Protectors of the Faith Guards, the Cape May County Emerald Society Color Guard and a liturgical bag piper soloist.

Sunday at 1 p.m., the parade begins at 24th and Surf Avenues and will continue to Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues. The Irish Fall Festival is honored to announce that U. S. Spc. 4 Kevin McCloskey, graduate of North Catholic High School and a Afghanistan war hero, will serve as the 2010 Grand Marshall.

Once again, we are honored to have Shamus Boyle, National President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, as a special guest. All AOH organizations are welcome to be a part of this celebration of Irish history and heritage.

The parade will also feature Miss North Wildwood, many fraternal organizations, bagpipe bands, Irish dance groups and much, much more.

The official irish music tent, featuring continuous Irish entertainment throughout the weekend is located in the municipal parking lot across from The Pointe at Moore’s Inlet. The Irish Music Tent will feature non-stop entertainment throughout the weekend with Paddy’s Well (and Paul Moore) and other featured Irish entertainers.

Irish food and entertainment will be available at most of the clubs and pubs in North Wildwood all weekend long.

As always, bus service will be available from the Anglesea Fire Hall – Second and Olde New Jersey Avenue along Surf Avenue to 26th Street.

As a reslt of this extremely successful annual fund raising event, the AOH achieves significant charitable accomplishments. These contributions reflect the loyalty and ideals, which have helped to strengthen our families, community, and national character.

The AOH would like to acknowledge and thank Mayor Bill Henfey and the City of North Wildwood for their annual support of this event.

For additional information, contact the AOH at 1-800-IRISH-91 or www.cmcaoh.com

See you in September!

Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest, through the camera lens of Lu Ann Flacco.

We'll be taking a break from posting for the next week or so, to soak up and savor the dwindling days of Summer 2010 in the Wildwoods.

When we return on Wednesday, September 1st, we'll have a new slate of daily features, and will also begin the official countdown to the launch of our supplemental site - Wildwood Memories & Nostalgia.

Enjoy the sunset, everyone!