The Wildwoods kick off summer with powerful patriotic displays and family-friendly events
The Wildwoods, NJ – May 23, 2024 – Over 125 families and hundreds of supporters gathered at the Wildwoods Convention Center to honor their deceased Veteran heroes at the Flags of Liberty Ceremony, hosted by the Greater Wildwood Elks #1896 Veterans Committee and The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement & Development Authority (GWTIDA).
Participants lined the Wildwoods Boardwalk where casket flags 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.
“It’s our honor to bring Veteran families together to recognize the lives, service, and sacrifice of their loved ones,” said Louis M. Belasco, GWTIDA Executive Director, “We’re excited to kick off an unforgettable summer season, but we’re especially honored to host the Flags of Liberty event.”
In conjunction with Flags of Liberty was the Wildwoods’ Unlocking of the Ocean ceremony, which marks the official opening of the 2025 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 captains. They then used their key to ‘unlock’ their respective beaches during their own local ceremonies, ushering in the summer season.
Additionally, the North Wildwood Memorial Day Ceremony and Wildwood Memorial Day ceremonies will take place on Monday, May 26, and continue the Wildwoods’ focus on honoring Veterans. Other exciting, family-friendly events kick off in the Wildwoods, including the 39th 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. The weekend also includes the Downtown Wildwood Farmers Market Season Kick-Off on Saturday, and the Memorial Day Weekend Boardwalk Craft Show, which will continue throughout the summer.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
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