Sea Isle City All Dressed Up for Holidays

Suddenly, it’s Christmastime in Sea Isle City.

Scarcely two weeks after Halloween, the scarecrows, pumpkins and cornstalks have been replaced by colorful Christmas decorations that have turned the town into a winter wonderland.

The centerpiece of the holiday display is a 30-foot-tall artificial Christmas tree towering above Excursion Park, just steps from the beach and ocean. Topped by a white ornament, the tree is decorated with red, green and silver balls.

The tree is visible as soon as motorists cross over the Sea Isle Boulevard bridge entering town. It will serve as one of the focal points of Sea Isle’s annual holiday parade along Landis and Central avenues at 6 p.m. Nov. 29, followed by the official tree lighting ceremony by Santa in Excursion Park. After it is lighted, the tree traditionally serves as a popular backdrop for holiday photos.

    The 30-foot-tall artificial tree overlooking Excursion Park traditionally serves as a backdrop for holiday photos.
  

Mayor Leonard Desiderio noted that the holiday decorations put Sea Isle’s residents and visitors in a festive mood every year.

“The holiday is a very special time for many, many people,” he said.

Traditionally, visitors come to Sea Isle to admire the decorations during their holiday getaways at the shore, Desiderio said. The decorations are another way to make the business district more inviting to holiday shoppers, he pointed out.

 “The businesses also put up decorations, along with the city. It’s contagious,” he said.

    Motorists entering Sea Isle on the John F. Kennedy Boulevard corridor are greeted by wreaths and bows on the decorative lamp posts.
  

The Victorian-style lamp posts lining the John F. Kennedy Boulevard entryway into town are draped with green garland and wreaths trimmed with red and gold bows. Christmas lights and snowflakes twinkle along Landis Avenue.

Twin toy soldiers straight out of the “Nutcracker Suite” stand guard at the front entrance of City Hall, resplendent in their colorful uniforms and top hats.

Across the street from City Hall, giant gold, silver, green and red Christmas balls decorate the lawn at the Sea Isle City Welcome Center. Santa’s glittery sleigh is parked on the other side of the Welcome Center, waiting to take flight on Christmas Eve with the help of Rudolph and the other reindeer.

Twinkling lights add to the cheery atmosphere. The traditional holiday decorations create a bit of whimsy and nostalgia.

    A toy soldier stands guard at the front entrance of City Hall.
  

Sea Isle’s professional decorating contractor, Rileighs Outdoor Decor, of Allentown, Pa., dresses up Excursion Park, City Hall, the downtown business district and other popular areas of town each year with elaborate holiday displays.

Decorations also have been placed at other entry points in town. For instance, carolers and Santa’s sleigh greet motorists at the base of the Townsends Inlet Bridge on 94th Street.

Desiderio said he eventually wants to expand the holiday displays to effectively decorate all areas of town – from First Street in the north end to 94th Street in the southern tip of the island.

“It brings a lot of smiles to their faces,” he said of the joy created by the decorations.

    The front entrance to City Hall is festively decorated.
  

    Victorian-style lamp posts around town are dressed up with garland and red bows.
  

    Large Christmas balls decorate the lawn of the Sea Isle City Welcome Center.