Even though summer “officially” begins on the Solstice, which takes place Friday, for many people in Sea Isle City, Skimmer Festival is when the “summer fun” truly begins. As is the case each year, Skimmer Festival took place over Father’s Day Weekend – and what a weekend it was.
On Skimmer Saturday, countless people enjoyed the Seaside Vendors Market, which featured more than 300 vendors selling crafts and other great items along the Promenade. Festival-goers also enjoyed the food court, free amusement rides and other family entertainment that took place on Saturday.
Then, on Skimmer Sunday (Father’s Day), many folks also took pleasure in free guided trolley tours, live music by The Snake Brothers, and the nearly 90 classic cars and trucks that rolled onto the Promenade for our annual Skimmer Antique Auto Show.
Special thanks go to Diane Merson and Trish Jackson in the City’s Division of Tourism for organizing yet another fantastic Skimmer Festival. My thanks also go to our Public Works and Police Departments for helping ensure that everything went smoothly. Thank you all.
Now that Skimmer Weekend has come and gone, we have a wide variety of other exciting events to look forward to all summer long. For example, this Saturday the Sea Isle City Historical Society will host their second annual “Here Comes Summer” Open House and Art Show at the Historical Museum.
Plus, the Division of Tourism’s Sara the Turtle Festival takes place at Excursion Park on Wednesday, June 26 – which is a “must do” for families. Not long after that, our weekly lineup of free concerts, family movies and other activities at Excursion Park will keep people entertained throughout the season.
Since there is far too much happening this year to mention in this week’s message, please go to www.VISITSICNJ.com for answers to the question, “What’s going on in Sea Isle City this summer?”
On Saturday morning, June 29, the City’s Administration will host a Town Hall Meeting at 10 a.m. in the former public school gymnasium at 4501 Park Road, which everyone is invited to attend. The meeting will focus on the options we have for that property’s future.
As many of you are aware, it is the City’s intention to create a modern recreation facility at 4501 Park Road, which will serve the needs of this community in a variety of ways. You are also likely aware that many people have asked us to build an indoor swimming pool on that site, which is still yet to be determined.
In order to choose the best path forward, we will continue to gather as much input as possible from the public before any final decisions are made. Therefore, during the June 29 meeting, we will display several renderings of concept plans, answer questions, and ask those in attendance to complete a brief questionnaire so we can begin to narrow down our options.
So, please join us at the former school building on Park Road on Saturday, June 29, as we continue to plan for Sea Isle City’s future together.
July Fourth is just around the corner, and, as always, Sea Isle City is “the place to be” to enjoy the Independence Day holiday. July Fourth will begin with a “Junior Olympics” competition for kids at Dealy Field, which is organized and led by a small army of volunteers from the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City. Then, after a fun-filled day on Sea Isle City’s beautiful beaches, don’t miss this year’s July Fourth Patriotic Concert at the Band Shell, which begins at 7:30 p.m.
Afterwards, get ready to “oooh” and “aaah” during our annual Independence Day Fireworks Display, which begins at 9 p.m. It promises to be an exciting day in Sea Isle City, so please join us on July Fourth – and don’t forget to fly “Old Glory” on Independence Day and every other day you can.
This week’s “Shout Out” goes to Jim and Karen Ambro and Steve Saylor for once again hosting this year’s Skimmer Festival Antique Auto Show. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and love for classic cars with others Jim, Karen and Steve.
Smile …You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
