By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
Nolan Loftus stepped up to the long jump pit and stood perfectly still for a moment while waiting for someone to tell him what to do.
“Just jump,” a judge told the 3-year-old boy while giving him some polite coaxing.
And that’s exactly what Nolan did. He crouched down a bit to get some muscle power in his tiny legs and then leaped forward.
“I jumped high,” Nolan told his parents, Jessica and Tim Loftus, when they hugged and praised him afterward.
Pint-sized Nolan was among hundreds of children who competed in Sea Isle City’s Junior Olympics, an annual Fourth of July tradition that serves as one of the centerpieces of the family-friendly events in town to celebrate the holiday.
After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Junior Olympics returned to Dealy Field to renew a tradition that dates to 1965, making it one of Sea Isle’s oldest holiday events. It is hosted by the Sea Isle Division of Recreation and the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City.
Joe Jarrett, the Yacht Club’s commodore, estimated that more than 1,000 children and their parents took part Monday – with some people coming from as far away as Rhode Island, upstate New Year and western Pennsylvania.
“The kids look forward to it every year. It is a tradition for so many families – sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers. It has become such a huge part of the Fourth of July celebration.”
Jarrett noted that more than 100 volunteers from the Yacht Club joined with city officials, the children and parents to make the Junior Olympics a success.
Over the years, the community event has developed its own reputation as a summer tourist attraction for the beachfront town.
“This is exactly what draws us here,” said Jessica Loftus, Nolan’s mother. “Everything is here for the families. It’s all about the kids.”
Jessica and her husband, Tim Loftus, are from Philadelphia. Tim’s mother has a Sea Isle home. In addition to Nolan, they also had their daughter, Makenzie, 8, and 7-year-old son, Ryan, compete in the Junior Olympics.
“I also did this when I was young,” Tim Loftus recalled of participating in the Junior Olympics during his childhood.
Open to children between the ages of 3 to 13, the Junior Olympics features running, jumping and throwing competitions at Dealy Field, the city’s main athletic and recreation complex.
The top three finishers for their age group in each competition are awarded Olympic-style medals while standing on a three-tiered podium. Some of the kids triumphantly raised their arms in celebration after medals were draped around their neck.
Adding to the colorful holiday atmosphere was the Yacht Club’s entertainment director, Frank Urso, who dressed up as Uncle Sam for the Junior Olympics and was a popular figure for selfies with kids and adults.
“I have had countless selfie requests from everyone. It is a joy and pleasure,” Urso said.
Urso, who is also a board member at the Yacht Club, described the Junior Olympics as an “incredibly positive” experience for the children and families now that it has returned.
“We’re putting the past behind us and moving on to a brighter future,” he said, referring to the waning pandemic.
Following the Junior Olympics, families continued their Independence Day celebration by attending the Division of Tourism’s “All Americana Family Fun Night” at Excursion Park. Entertainment included a stage show featuring Mickey and Minnie Mouse, face painters, patriotic music and dancing.
Sea Isle’s Fourth of July celebration was capped off by a fireworks show. Fireworks were launched from an ocean barge near 50th Street, providing a great view of the pyrotechnics along the Promenade and beaches.
“This is turning out to be a wonderful July 4th weekend in Sea Isle City. There are many people in town and folks are very upbeat everywhere I turn,” city spokeswoman Katherine Custer said.
She noted that the weather was good overall for the holiday weekend, allowing the city to hold its Saturday night concert, entertainment and fireworks.
“(A fireworks show) is the perfect way to cap off a fun-filled holiday weekend – the proverbial icing on America’s birthday cake,” Custer said prior to the show.
