Hear Philly: The Shore Thing - Beach Volleyball, Good Old Days Festival and Fall Funfest By The Bay
By Andrew Kramer
MARGATE, N.J. (CBS) - After Labor Day weekend things don't slow down -- not even for a second -- on Absecon Island. The first weekend after the holiday, the pros from a popular summer sport come to Atlantic City.
"It's the only east coast stop where you'll be able to see professional volleyball champions on our great beach next to the boardwalk," explains Jeff Guaracino with the Atlantic City Alliance.
Guaracino says these athletes will be playing on the same courts folks play on all season long, right at New Jersey Avenue and the Boardwalk:
"These are the best volleyball champions in the world who will come to Atlantic City for a free spectator sport event that becomes a real way to extend your summer, especially after Labor Day when the weather is still so nice.
The Atlantic City Pro Beach Volleyball Tournament runs from September 5th through 7th. For more, visit the DO | AC website.
That same Saturday, near Absecon Island in Somers Point, it's the Good Old Days Festival. One of the event's coordinators, Carmen Marotta, says there will be all kinds of entertainment:
"This year we're going to have the Grammy Award-winning Vini Lopez on the beach from Springsteen's original E Street Band, along with special guest Billy Walton and the Dan Burke Band. That takes place on Saturday, September 6th. There's a 5K run in the morning and then from noon to 6 p.m. there's the music festival and party."
The event is free, but all money raised from concessions goes to fund the Lawrence "Bud" Kern Scholarship. For more follow the event on Twitter at @SPGoodOldDays.
The second half of September, Margate features several of their most popular events:
"Margate Fall Funfest By The Bay is the marquee event for the Margate Business Association," explains MBA President Ed Berger.
Berger says it's a wonderful two-day family activity:
"We've got things for everybody to do. There are over 60 different crafter booths that are there -- it's not a flea market, these are real crafters that come out and show their wares. There is entertainment for the kids all day. We've got all sorts of attractions and rides for them to ride on. Music starts at about noon...doesn't stop until we close down later in the evening. Literally, one of the best family days you could possibly have at the Jersey Shore, and that's September 27th and 28th."
Sunday afternoon of Fall Funfest By The Bay it's the annual Steve and Cookie's Dog Show, where Berger says dogs and their owners become one:
"It's as ridiculous as you might imagine, but it's a great afternoon and early evening over at Steve and Cookie's by the Bay. Of course there's judging and there's great stuff that people get involved in with their pets, but basically it's dog day in Margate. Everybody from around Absecon Island dresses up like their dogs, or their dogs dress up like them, and they come to Steve and Cookie's and try to win a prize."
And beginning the last week of September the Atlantic County Surf Fishing Derby swims back to Margate.
"It's the only time during the year when anglers can actually get permits to drive their trucks on the beaches of Absecon Island," Berger says. "So from Longport, all the way up to the end of Atlantic City you can get permits from each one of the municipalities, and there are cash prizes for the largest striper, largest weakfish, largest blue fish, but mostly it's just a fun time where guys can get together on the beach and enjoy something together.
The Surf Derby runs until November 2nd. For more on all Margate events, visit margatehasmore.com.
And that's The Shore Thing for this month.
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