Despite Crummy Weather, Skimmer Festival Draws Thousands

There were cheerless gray clouds, an annoying light drizzle and temperatures stuck in the chilly 60s.

A crummy day for a summer festival, right?

Wrong.

Thousands of diehards braved the dreary weather Saturday to enjoy Sea Isle City’s 62nd annual Skimmer Festival, the resort’s signature summer event.

Known for its family-friendly atmosphere, the festival included vendors lining the oceanfront Promenade, live music, an outdoor food court and free amusement rides in Excursion Park to entertain the children.

The two-day festival continues Sunday with an antique car show on the Promenade from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. At 1:30 p.m., there will be a parade of vintage cars and trucks through Sea Isle’s streets.

    Hungry festivalgoers line up at the sausage stand in the food court.
  

Keith Sabin, a Washington Township, N.J., resident, shrugged off the bad weather to attend the festival’s opening day with his children, Carter, 7, Charlotte, 4, and 9-month-old Cora, who was riding in a baby stroller. They were joined by the kids’ grandmother, Lisa Binchini, of Voorhees, N.J.

Sabin and his family carried umbrellas for protection from the rain, but otherwise were thoroughly enjoying themselves at the bounce houses, face-painting booth and other kiddie attractions in Excursion Park.

“We’re going to be prepared. We’re going to brave the weather – no matter what,” Sabin vowed.

Asked what he thought of the festival, Carter Sabin flashed two thumbs-up and said, “It’s good.”

The Sabin-Binchini family has a summer home in Sea Isle and makes it a point to attend the Skimmer Festival every year.

“We don’t want to miss any Sea Isle events,” Binchini said, while emphasizing the word “any.”

    Shoppers browse the vendor tents lining the oceanfront Promenade.
  

Each year for the festival, the Promenade is transformed into a sprawling outdoor shopping mall of sorts that includes more than 100 vendors under tents.

Shopping is always one of the main attractions. Thousands of shoppers strolled the Promenade to buy jewelry, clothing, handbags, artwork, crafts, novelty items and much more.

Marc Derita, of Malvern, Pa., has a summer home in Sea Isle and attends the festival every year. He bought some athletic wear while browsing the vendor tents Saturday afternoon. He was joined by his brother, Matt Derita, and Matt’s girlfriend, Sophia Garino.

“This festival brings the community together. It’s nice to come down to Sea Isle to see everybody,” Marc Derita said.

    Vendor Nick Camma, owner of Plooky Prints, waves from his tent on the Promenade.
  

One of the vendors, Nick Camma, the owner Plooky Prints, a 3D printing and design shop, characterized business as being “pretty good.”

“People are here for the day. It’s not going to scare them away,” Camma said of the iffy weather.

In addition to the shopping and amusement rides, the food court is another popular part of the festival.

Heather Teufel, of West Chester, Pa., bought Thai spring rolls, dumplings and lobster rolls for a meal with her children, Ben, 10, Carter, 7, and Emily, 4, and her mother, Tina Lewis.

“The weather could be better, but the festival is great,” Teufel said.

    The Teufel family gets ready to snack on the Thai spring rolls, dumplings and lobster rolls they bought at the food court.
  

The Skimmer Festival, a staple of Father’s Day weekend every year, jump starts the local economy as Sea Isle transitions from being a small town of about 2,100 year-round residents into a bustling vacation resort packed with tens of thousands of visitors during the summer months.

The festival’s origins date to 1963, a year after a monstrous storm devastated the Jersey Shore. At that time, Sea Isle hoped to persuade tourists that the beach resort was in recovery mode and ready to begin welcoming visitors again, so the Skimmer Festival was created. It took its name from the wide-brimmed, straw skimmer boating hats that were popular with men during Victorian days.

    Marc Derita, center, is joined by his brother, Matt, and Matt's girlfriend, Sophia Garino, for some shopping on the Promenade.
  

    The band Brass Pocket entertains the crowds from the Band Shell at Excursion Park.
  

    Bounce houses are part of the kiddie amusements in Excursion Park.