Wildwood

For those traveling to Wildwood, New Jersey this weekend, do not be surprised if you see a giant pig flying overhead. The 25th Annual International Kite Festival is taking place where World famous kite builders and enthusiasts gather to compete and fly their latest kite creations. The festival hosts many different kite competitions, including the East Coast Stunt Kite Competition.  Non-competitors are also encouraged to fly their kites at various free exhibits and workshops throughout the weekend.

If you are not one to fly a kite, do not fear because there are many other events that are taking place this weekend as well. The Unlocking of the Ocean Ceremony, which is the event that marks the official start of the summer is scheduled for Friday at noon. The event will be followed by a weekend filled with entertainment, such as food eating contests and face painting. The event will bring in craft and food vendors as well, which will line the beach all weekend.

Here is a video highlighting some of the biggest and best kites of last year:

The Jersey Shore’s cutest tradition, Wildwood’s annual Baby Parade celebrates its 100th anniversary on August 6th. The first batch of charming and delightful youngsters participated in the Wildwoods Baby Parade in 1909. Ever since, this event has become a shore tradition, drawing huge crowds of locals and tourists with a soft spot for beautiful babies parading down the famous Wildwoods Boardwalk in decorated strollers and floats. This year’s special Centennial Celebration is sure to draw even bigger crowds to the 100th Anniversary of the First Baby Parade.

The 100th Anniversary of the First Wildwoods Baby Parade will take place at 6pm, Thursday, August 6, 2009. Registration for the event starts at 5pm at the Wildwoods Convention Center. The parade starts at the Wildwoods Convention Center, proceeding up the famous Wildwoods Boardwalk, and ending at 16th Street in North Wildwood, where winners and awards will be announced. Be sure to come out and celebrate a century of fun, tradition and cuteness on Thursday, August 6, 2009 at the Wildwoods Baby Parade!

Looking for a place to stay? Sundance Vacations has numerous places on the Jersey Shore. Try Key Largo, Esplanade, Leaming Avenue, or Mali Kai. http://www.sundancevacations.com/beach-resorts.html

*Photos are courtesy of the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority and the Best of NJ website.*

Wildwood, NJ is a sight to be seen at least once in your life. Recently, visitors to the Wildwoods have found the ever so famous boardwalk in repair. A great portion of the boardwalk is currently being replaced. Approximately 42,000 aging boards from Schellenger to Cedar Avenue are under construction. This renovation has caused uproar. Why? Because builders are using Brazilian hardwood called ipe (ee-pay) on the 3.5 million stretch of walkway. So what about ipe? Well, ipe is harvested from rain forests which have many environmentalists up in arms. According to Rainforest Relief, which protested the Wildwood project, about 80% of ipe wood sold in the US is harvested illegally from the rain forests.

Wildwoods Executive Director of Economic Development Lou Ferrara insists ipe comes from all over the world, not just rain forests. Although Wildwood pledged to not use rain forest wood on its boardwalk, they found it to be the best wood for the boardwalk that can support the weight of emergency vehicles and apparently save replacement costs in the future.

The Wildwood project is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and New Jersey’s Urban Enterprise Zone Authority. (New Jersey Monthly Magazine, pg. 69, 09)

Do you agree with personnel to use ipe wood, or do you think another type of wood might have been more suitable? Does this change your opinion of Wildwood?