The Wildwoods, NJ – May 25, 2026 – Hundreds of families and supporters gathered at the Wildwoods Convention Center to honor their deceased Veteran heroes at the 10th annual Flags of Liberty Ceremony, hosted by the Greater Wildwood Elks #1896 Veterans Committee and The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA). The Flags of Liberty ceremony honors the lives of fallen heroes, and this year’s ceremony was the largest yet, with participating families and speeches from local and state officials, including the Governor of New Jersey.
Participants lined the Wildwoods Boardwalk where casket flags were unfurled in a moving ceremony to honor loved ones by holding up a chain of unfurled American flags in remembrance. The ceremony maintained focus on the reason for the holiday.
In conjunction with Flags of Liberty was the Wildwoods’ Unlocking of the Ocean ceremony, which marks the official opening of the 2026 summer season. This year, the ceremony featured a photo opportunity in which three ceremonial keys were presented to the Mayors of the Wildwoods and their respective beach patrol chiefs. They then used their key to ‘unlock’ their respective beaches during their own local ceremonies, ushering in the summer season.
Additional Memorial Day events in the Wildwoods include the North Wildwood Memorial Day Ceremony and Wildwood Memorial Day Ceremony, scheduled for Monday, May 25. Other family-friendly events in the Wildwoods, include the 40th annual Wildwoods International Kite Festival, with kites of all shapes and sizes filling up the skyline of the Wildwoods beaches, from enormous inflatable kites to team flight to traditional kites and more. The festival also includes a Friday Night Social, Illuminated Night Kite Fly, silent auctions in the Wildwoods Convention Center, and the World Indoor Kite Exhibition. For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
