The summer of 2024 is off to a great start! So far, the weather has been terrific, our beautiful shoreline has been attracting countless beachgoers, people have been enjoying Sea Isle’s many restaurants and shops, and several wonderful community events have already taken place.
I hope you were in town last weekend to enjoy our annual Skimmer Festival, which included a vendor’s market with hundreds of booths and free family entertainment on Saturday, and a fantastic Antique Auto Show on Sunday (Father’s Day), which included 105 vintage cars and trucks.
My thanks go to everyone who attended our annual Skimmer Festival – and my congratulations to the Auto Show’s winners: Bernice and John Quinn, of Vineland, N.J., who own a beautiful 1950 Ford Country Squire “Woodie” Wagon that earned them the Mayor’s Choice Award, and Gary Porter, of Ambler, Pa., who drove home with the Best of Show Award in his eye-catching 1946 Chevy pickup.
In addition to a very successful Skimmer Festival, the 2024 Bill Liddell Men’s Basketball Tournament also took place last weekend – and it too was a great success, thanks to the twelve teams of talented players who entertained onlookers with their athletic skills.
If you enjoy watching basketball, don’t miss our two upcoming men’s competitions at the JFK courts: the Dave Farina Tournament on June 29, and the Steve Libro Tournament on July 13. And if you have a group of friends who want to form a team and join the fun at either of these events, please phone the city’s Recreation Office at 609-263-0050 for more details.
Now that I have mentioned our basketball tournaments, let’s talk “football” – and in particular Jason Kelce and the other Philadelphia Eagles who were in Sea Isle City this week to raise funds for the Eagles Autism Foundation.
If you were not able to attend any of the three events that were happening around town – including the “Eagles Takeover” for families at Excursion Park yesterday – no doubt you saw them on the news or on social media.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Jason and Kylie Kelce – and the entire Eagles organization – for “leading by example” and performing such good work. The Kelces (who have a home here) and every member of the Eagles will always be welcome in Sea Isle City!
Now that the summer is in full swing and our seasonal events are taking place, I remind everyone that our city-sponsored Family Fun Nights on Mondays, Movies Under the Stars on Wednesday evenings, and Concerts Under the Stars on Saturday nights are getting started – and, as always, there is no fee to attend.
You can learn more about these and the other weekly events that take place throughout the summer by going to www.VisitSICNJ.com or phoning our Tourism Office at 609-263-8687.
As the month of June draws to a close, many of us are setting our eyes on Independence Day and celebrating our nation’s birthday in grand style. Fortunately, Sea Isle City is the perfect place to do just that – thanks to our Junior Olympics event for kids on the morning of July Fourth, and the tremendous fireworks display Sea Isle’s Department of Community Services will once again be hosting later that night at 9:15 p.m.
And because July Fourth is a Thursday this year, I hope you can spend the four-day holiday weekend with us, so you can take your family to our new Bicycle Decorating Contest on the morning of July 5th, and to the Elvis Presley tribute concert on July 6th, both of which will take place at Excursion Park.
Then, once this year’s Independence Day is a memory, why not stick around and take advantage of the many other events and happenings that are coming your way as the summer of 2024 unfolds in all its glory?
This week’s “Shout Out” goes to Anne Louise Sortino, who celebrated her first birthday earlier this week. I had the pleasure of meeting Anne Louise on her special day – and I hope that she and her entire family thoroughly enjoy their summer together here in Sea Isle City!
Smile … You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
