We have had some beautiful weather this autumn – but, unfortunately, in recent weeks the sun has shined mainly on weekdays and rain has fallen on the weekends. Regrettably, the weather forecast also looks dreary for the approaching weekend, and that may negatively impact the events we have planned during the days ahead, including our annual Halloween Parade and Halloween Dance Party on Friday night, October 20.
Our Halloween Parade is an event that many people enjoy each year – and we really want to make it happen! However, rain would make it impossible to have this event, because the parade would not be able to feature the many components that spectators look forward to seeing, including decorated floats, life-sized cartoon characters, marching bands wearing fancy costumes, and the other participants who make it so special.
That being said, we will closely study the weather forecasts and decide on Friday afternoon if we can host the parade (or not). If we must cancel the parade, we will make posts on Sea Isle’s website, on our social media accounts and through the “Rained Out” alert system. In the meantime, let’s all keep our fingers crossed.
Looking further down the road, don’t forget that door-to-door trick-or-treating will take place in Sea Isle City on Halloween Night, October 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Also on October 31, the Recreation Office will host their annual Trunk-or-Treat event from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the library parking lot, where kids can collect treats from rows of parked vehicles.
Anyone who wants to join the fun and give away candy from the back of their car or truck during Trunk-or-Treat should call the Recreation Office at 609-263-0050.
Even though Halloween is a beloved holiday that allows people of all ages to make happy memories, it’s also a time to use caution and make wise decisions. For example, I remind all motorists to please be on the lookout for trick-or-treaters while driving through town on Halloween Night.
Also, I remind all children and their parents to remember some basic safety rules before heading out for a fun-filled evening of trick-or-treating – including crossing streets with care, making sure costumes don’t impede your vision (especially if masks are being worn) and traveling in groups when walking without parents or adult guardians present.
Even though Sea Isle City is a very safe place, we can never be too cautious, because we want everyone to have an enjoyable Halloween.
As you probably have heard, City Council recently awarded a contract for the construction of Sea Isle’s future Dog Park in the north end of town near 7th Street.
The state-of-the-art facility we have planned, which has been approved for funding by the Cape May County Open Spaces Board, will include separate fenced-in areas for large and small dogs and other features that I am certain will be very appealing to dogs and dog owners alike.
Plus, the park will also have a variety of amenities outside of the fenced areas that non-pet owners will also enjoy, including an inviting picnic pavilion, a bicycle repair station and attractive landscaping – so, perhaps we should call it a “Dog-and-People Park” instead!
To celebrate the start of construction of the Dog Park, there will be an on-site groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, November 2, at 11 a.m., which everyone is welcome to attend. There is plenty of parking available in the north end – which is one reason we chose this location for the Dog Park – so we hope to see as many people as possible on November 2.
This week’s “Shout Out” goes to everyone who continually reads our E-Newsletters. This week marks the 13th anniversary of Sea Isle City’s E-News System, which includes this newsletter and the “E-Alerts” that feature property tax reminders, weather warnings, and other information that is pertinent to the people of our community.
Since our first newsletter was emailed to readers on October 19, 2010, it has changed and grown over the years, and to date we have 7,760 recipients on our mailing list, which we hope will continue to grow.
Have a Happy Halloween!
Smile … You’re in Sea Isle,
Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio
