Sea Isle Packs in Free Family Fun

By MADDY VITALE Looking for something to do with the family that is exciting, entertaining and free? Then head to Sea Isle City for two events July 22 and July 25 hosted by the city’s Division of Tourism. On Friday night, join other families at Excursion Park at JFK Boulevard and Pleasure Avenue for a new event, Carnival by the Sea. The following Monday, also at Excursion Park, is the return of Christmas in July, featuring a holiday-themed show and a meet-and-greet with Santa. The following Wednesday, Movies Under the Stars will feature a showing of Polar Express at 8:15 p.m. “The events are free and they are fun,” Sea Isle City Public Information Officer Katherine Custer noted Thursday. “One of the many reasons people love Sea Isle City is there is a lot to do. We offer as many free family-friendly events as we can.” The inaugural Carnival by the Sea is from Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Custer credited the city’s Tourism Representative Chris Oney with coming up with the idea for Carnival by the Sea. “He had the idea to do a carnival night,” she noted. “I spoke with Chris and there are going to be plenty of activities for families to enjoy. There will be games and prizes and a stilt walker. It’s an all-free community event hosted by the city’s Division of Tourism.” The carnival will feature a stilt walker just like at the Spring Fling event in April. The carnival features two live Magic Acts on stage with Chazz Barber at 5:30 p.m. and 7:15 p.m. Kids can race each other with a monster inflatable obstacle course. There will be lots of opportunities to take photos with characters. And, of course, there will be carnival games and plenty of prizes. For the kids who love to get their faces painted, there will be that too, and balloon art will also provide some fun gifts to take home. People can also dance to the music from Girls Who Rock and Read, who will perform from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Entertainment for families does not slow down. Family Fun Night on Monday, from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., will include a Christmas show at the band shell, Elves Gone Wild, and at the same time, kids can meet Santa. The jolly man will be dressed in his summer attire and will be ready for photo ops with families. Custer said the Tourism Office is excited to be bringing back Christmas in July, which originally was a Chamber of Commerce event that stopped several years ago. “This year, after several years of not having Santa at the park, Trish Jackson of our Tourism Office came up with the idea for us to have it on Family Fun Night,” she explained. Custer said Family Fun Night always attracts many families and with the return of Christmas in July, she anticipates an even larger crowd. “We are expecting it to be a very popular event,” she added. “I think it was a great idea by Trish Jackson to bring it back.” For more information call 609-263-8687 or click www.visitsicnj.com. Movie night will show Polar Express on July 27 as part of Christmas in July. (Photo courtesy of Sea Isle City)