It’s been a very busy couple of weeks in Sea Isle City, with many events taking place. On September 13, I had the pleasure of attending AARP Chapter 710’s annual Autumn Picnic, which is the kick-off for their coming year of events and activities. As always, the members of our local AARP are continually on the move, and they never cease to amaze me with their energy and zest for life – and I wish them luck with their many gatherings and adventures in the months ahead.
On September 15 and 16, Sea Isle City’s annual Fall Family Festival brought countless people to town for two days of family-friendly activities, including free amusement rides, a huge vendors market along the promenade, live music, historical trolley tours and an antique auto show with scores of classic vehicles.
Mother Nature was exceptionally kind to us during Fall Family Festival, and it turned out to be a fantastic weekend! Special thanks go to Diane Merson and Trish Jackson in the City’s Division of Tourism for doing a great job organizing the festival, to the volunteers from the Sea Isle City Historical Society for leading the trolley tours, and also to Jim and Karen Ambro and Steve Saylor, who hosted the antique auto show. Thank you all!
Another notable event took place on September 21 at Sea Isle’s Veterans Park, where members of the Cape May County American Legion led a POW-MIA Recognition Day Ceremony. Veterans from various wars and other guests attended the ceremony, and each person in attendance was reminded of the importance of bringing home all of our warriors when the battle is over.
The ceremony also had special meaning because it took place just a few weeks after the passing of Senator John McCain, who is, of course, one of the most recognizable prisoners of war from his generation. It was an honor to take part in Friday’s POW-MIA Recognition Day Ceremony – and also to take the time to honor the memory of Senator McCain, a true American hero.
Following the POW-MIA Recognition Day Ceremony, Sea Isle’s annual Irish Festival Weekend took place at LaCosta Lounge on September 21, 22 and 23 – and it too was a very successful event. My congratulations go to Jim Bennett and all of the folks at LaCosta, who entertained and delighted everyone at the festival with Irish dancing and music, great food, vendors and other attractions.
With October just a few days away, keep in mind that the “good times” of autumn are just getting started here in Sea Isle City. For example, the Chamber of Commerce and Revitalization’s Harborfest celebration takes place this Saturday, September 29, at Marina Park, followed by Sea Isle’s Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival on October 6, the Environmental Commission’s Autumn Beach Clean-Up on September 13, our annual Halloween Parade and Family Dance Party on October 19, and an E.S.A. Surfing Competition and the Chamber of Commerce’s Octoberfest celebration on October 20.
With so much going on in Sea Isle City, why go anywhere else this fall?
And speaking of this year’s Halloween Parade, as always, we are looking for parade participants, who will help ensure that our annual “gathering of ghouls” is once again a big success and plenty of fun for people of all ages.
Parade entry forms are now being accepted, so why not assemble your family, friends or co-workers and help make this year’s parade the best in Sea Isle’s history. For more info about entering the Halloween Parade, contact the City’s Recreation Office at 609-263-0050. See you on Friday, October 19.
In closing, I have some very good news that every local motorist will be happy to hear. If all goes as planned, the construction project that is elevating Sea Isle City’s causeway should be completed in December – which is months earlier than we had anticipated.
As always, we will keep everyone updated on the progress of the Sea Isle Boulevard Elevation Project in the “Project Updates” section of this newsletter. However, in the meantime, please keep your fingers crossed that we have favorable weather in the months ahead and that the contractors can complete their work in a safe and timely manner. Thank you all for your patience during this lengthy – but very important – construction effort.
Smile … You’re in Sea Isle!
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
