Hear Philly: The Shore Thing - Blues, BBQ and Babies Parade the Boardwalk
By Andrew Kramer
WILDWOOD, N.J. (CBS) - After July 4th weekend, the fireworks in Wildwood don't stop just yet.
In fact, John Siciliano with the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority explains they continue once a week for the rest of summer, right on the beach:
"They kick off every Friday night at 10 o'clock and they're visible island-wide. But the best spectator spot is on the boardwalk because the fireworks are synchronized to music and the music is played all along the boardwalk through our sound system, so people can watch and listen at the same time."
The Friday night fireworks are underway now and run through September 12th. Each week the rain date is Sunday at 9 p.m.
July 11th-13th, a popular event is served up once again in Wildwood.
"The New Jersey State BBQ Championship & Anglesea Blues Festival is something that has grown tremendously for us in the Wildwoods," Siciliano says. "It's barbeque of every style from ribs to burgers to brisket. The food is phenomenal and, I mean, we really have the best of the best here and it's a competition so they're here putting out their best."
Siciliano says this event truly has it all:
"It's a big, big weekend, not only from the standpoint of people coming down to just enjoy the barbeque, but they have great entertainment from the blues end of it and they have live cooking demonstrations that they have the people participate in."
Just as the BBQ and Blues Festival leaves town, the stars of World Wrestling Entertainment head into Wildwood July 13th:
"It's always a big hit for the Convention Center here," says Siciliano. "We're fortunate to have the WWE make their stop here on an annual basis and we look forward to having them here."
At the end of the month in Wildwood, one of the summer's premiere concerts also rocks into the Convention Center.
"Saturday night, July 26th at the Wildwoods Convention Center we're going to have the RunAround Tour Concert featuring Bridgit Mendler from Disney's 'Good Luck Charlie,' Jacob Whitesides, Before You Exit, Nick Tangorra, Spencer Sutherland and more."
That show runs from 6-10 p.m. and will feature the opportunity for fans to win meet and greets.
And rounding out the month of July, a Wildwood tradition since 1909 crawls back into town for another year:
"The Wildwoods Baby Parade is a tradition," says Siciliano. "And I think in the last several years we've average over 100 babies that come out in all types of garb and dresses and some parents go out and put floats together and walk down the boardwalk."
He says it's a tradition people really look forward to:
"The boardwalk gets packed watching the kids come down the boardwalk with their families, and it goes the entire length of the boardwalk."
Prizes will be given to the winners of the different categories -- including cutest, fanciest and best dressed baby to name a few. The parade begins outside the Convention Center at 6 p.m. on July 30th.
For more on all the events in the Wildwoods visit www.wildwoodsnj.com.
And that's The Shore Thing for this month.
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