The summer vacation season may be winding down, but the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA) is working to ensure that crowds both near and far keep coming back to the Wildwoods throughout the fall season.
As school begins again and the leaves start to change, the Wildwoods build anticipation for festivals, conventions, races, car shows, tournaments and competitions through November.
GWTIDA promotes fall events as a means of filling hotel rooms and restaurant seats during what would otherwise be a slower tourism season. GWTIDA calls this period from Labor Day Weekend through the end of November the ‘Second Season.’
“Although many shore towns take a break as the temperatures cool, the Wildwoods still remain a lively place,” executive director of GWTIDA John Siciliano said. “Hosting special events and themed weekends has been a proven method to bring business to our local hotels and restaurants during the fall months.”
The Wildwoods’ ‘Second Season’ begins right after Labor Day Weekend and extends through the end of mid-November – attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and generating millions in additional tourism revenue.
‘Second Season’ in the Wildwoods kicks off this year in September after Labor Day with the Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally, one of the largest motorcycle rallies in the Northeast, from September 5-8. The Annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention takes place from Thursday, September 12 through Saturday, September 14, attracting thousands of firemen and their families to the five-mile island for meetings, seminars, exhibits and other events.
The following weekend, Thursday, September 19 through Sunday, September 22, is fit for classic car enthusiasts and those with Irish heritage or a love for it. The Boardwalk Classic Car Show and Classic Car Auction will be held on the Wildwoods Boardwalk and at the Wildwood Convention Center with FREE admission; and Wildwoods’ Irish Fall Festival, the largest Irish festival on the East Coast, will showcase Irish music, food and dance and will conclude with a parade through North Wildwood.
Cultural events continue the next weekend with the Olde Time Italian Festival at Fox Park featuring authentic Italian foods, merchandise and continuous FREE live entertainment from Friday, September 27 to Saturday, September 28.
Throughout the weekend the Wildwoods welcomes the Monster Mash Truck Race featuring Monster Truck competitions and freestyle shows on the beach. On Sunday, September 29, Morey’s Piers hosts their annual farewell to summer with Souper Sunday featuring discounted wristbands, prizes, entertainment and a Chili/Chowder Cook-Off.
The ‘Second Season’ excitement extends into October as the Wildwoods celebrate its Doo-Wop roots with the Fabulous ‘50s and Beyond Weekend from October 18-19. Friday night starts the celebration with a Nifty ‘50s Dance Party with the David Christopher Band at the Wildwoods Convention Center. A FREE street fair will take place at Fox Park in Wildwood during the day on Saturday featuring classic cars, craft and food vendors, free live entertainment, fun contests and a Doo-Wop Back To The Fifties tour.
On Saturday night the fun continues with a headline concert featuring classic rock n’ roll acts and iconic oldies vocal groups Danny & The Juniors featuring Joe Terry, Lou Christie, Gary Lewis & The Playboys, Charlie Thomas Drifters, and Russell Thompkins & The New Stylistics.
The Wildwoods festive pre-Halloween celebrations include the NEW Zombie Mud Run, a spooky post-apocalyptic obstacle race on Saturday, October 12 and the traditional Halloween Parade and Fun Fair held on Friday, October 25. Halloween weekend brings additional family fun with the Wildwoods Boardwalk Pumpkin Run featuring costume-clad participants in a 10K and 5K run and 1 mile walk on Saturday, October 26. Trunk-or-Treat, an alternative Trick-or-Treating event, is FREE for kids and parents on Wednesday, October 30.
In November, the Wildwoods will host two cheerleading competitions: the Cheer Tech Island Championships on Sunday, November 3 featuring teams from around the region competing in recreation, school, and all-star divisions; and the Cheer Tech American Rec & School Championships held on Sunday, November 17.
All teams will perform action-packed two and a half minute routines featuring stunts, jumps, gymnastics and dance segments choreographed to music. Athletes will compete on a ’52 by ’42 spring floor and will be scored by a judging panel to determine the first place winners.
Below is a full list of the Wildwoods’ Second Season 2013 special events:*
Below is a full list of the Wildwoods’ Second Season 2013 special events:*
September 1-November 30 – Jersey Shore Beach ‘n Boat Season Long Fishing Tournament
September 1 – All American Car & Truck Show
September 1 – Wildwood Block Party & Music Festival
September 5-8 – Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally
September 6-8 – 44th Annual Surf Fishing Tournament
September 12-14 – New Jersey State Fireman’s Convention
September 19-22 – Irish Fall Festival
September 20-21 – Boardwalk Classic Car Show
September 20 – 21 – Classic Car Auction
September 20 – Fall Car Show Block Party
September 20-21 – Wildwood Crest Seafarers Celebration
September 27-28 – An Olde Time Italian Festival
September 27-29 – Mid-Atlantic Police and Fire Survivors Weekend
September 27-29 – Monster Mash Truck Race
September 27-28 – Wild Thang ‘13 Chrysler Car Show
September 29 – Morey’s Piers Souper Sunday Closing Day & Chili/Chowder Cook Off
October 1-25 – Halloween House Decorating Contest
October 4-6 – All Ford Truck & Car Show
October 5 – Pennsauken Surf Fishing Club Tournament
October 5 – Seafood and Music Festival
October 12 – Zombie Mud Run
October 12-13 Governor’s Cup Hyrdrofest
October 12-13 – NJBBA’s Great Fall Classic Surf Fishing Tournament
October 18-19 – Fabulous ‘50s & Beyond Weekend
October 19-20 – Lighthouse Challenge of New Jersey
October 25 – Halloween Parade and Fun Fair
October 26 – Wildwoods Boardwalk Pumpkin Run
October 30 – Trunk or Treat for Halloween
November 3 – Cheer Tech Island Championships
November 9 – Elks Hoop Shoot
November 17 – Cheer Tech American Recreation & School Championships
*Please note that the information and dates above are subject to change.
For additional information about the events listed here and about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.