July 4th Holiday in the Wildwoods Packed with Free Fun

WILDWOOD – The Wildwoods, NJ have put together a Fourth of July Weekend celebration filled with FREE events, FREE live entertainment and a FREE fireworks/laser light show spectacular unlike any other at the Jersey Shore.
The holiday begins with the Fourth of July Weekend Freedom Festival Saturday, July 2 through Monday, July 4 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The event takes place at Rambler Road and Ocean Avenue in Wildwood Crest, featuring quality crafters of all kinds, great food, FREE live entertainment and children’s activities. As part of the festival, FREE concerts will be held at Centennial Park, located at Fern Road and Ocean Avenue in Wildwood Crest from 7:30-9:30 p.m. nightly – featuring the B Street Band (Bruce Springsteen tribute band) on Saturday, July 2; 2U (U2 Tribute Band) on Sunday, July 3; and Bandstand (dance/party music) on Monday, July 4. For additional information, call 609-523-0202 or visit www.visitwildwoodcrest.com.
Another FREE concert will be held at the Lou Boothe Amphitheatre in North Wildwood, located at 2nd and Ocean Avenues, on Saturday, July 2 at 8 p.m. Part of the FREE “Concert Under the Stars” Series, the performance will feature Motown legends – the Platters. For additional information, call 609-522-2955 or visit www.northwildwood.com.
On Monday morning, July 4, don’t miss the Wildwoods Independence Day Parade and the 7th Annual Patriotic Pooch Parade. The Independence Day Parade begins at 9 a.m. at 15th and Atlantic Avenues and proceeds north to 2nd Avenue. The Patriotic Pooch Parade will join the march through the Wildwoods at 8th and Atlantic Avenues. Dogs of all shapes and sizes will parade along the streets of the Wildwoods dressed in patriotic garb alongside decorated bicycles. Prizes will be awarded for the best bikes decorated with a red, white and blue theme, along with prizes for the best dressed pooches. Check-in for parade participants will be from 8-8:45 a.m. at 15th and Atlantic Avenues. To register, call 609-522-2955.
Also on Monday morning, July 4, is the Beach ‘n Boardwalk 5K Run and 1-Mile Family Walk from 9-11 a.m. The 5K Fun Run will begin at the Wildwoods Sign and travel north to the Wildwoods Convention Center then down the boardwalk extension to the beach. The route will run south and continue on the hard packed sand to Primrose Avenue in Wildwood Crest, looping back to the Wildwoods Convention Center for the completion of the race. The 1-Mile Walk will head down the Wildwoods Boardwalk to Cresse Avenue and back to the Wildwoods Convention Center. Awards will be presented at the Wildwoods Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall to “Top Finishers” and “Most Patriotic Dressed” in the following categories: Family, Adult, Child and Baby. All funds raised from the Beach ‘n Boardwalk 5K Run and 1-Mile Family Walk will be used to help maintain the Wildwoods Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Registration will take place from 7-8:45 a.m. at the Wildwoods Convention Center. The registration fee is $25 for adults and $10 for students 18 and younger. Commemorative t-shirts will be given to all participants who pre-register at www.WildwoodsWall.com/5k before July 1. For additional information, call John Lynch at 609-849-8887.
Later on in the evening on Independence Day, families can enjoy a FREE Summer Concert at Fox Park starting at 6 p.m. featuring “Changes in Latitude,” a Jimmy Buffett tribute band. Bring your beach chair or blanket and groove to the smooth sounds of Jimmy Buffett classics such as “Margaritaville,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Volcano” and many more. “Changes in Latitude” is sure to have the crowd on its feet dancing and singing along. For additional information, call 609-729-9000.
At 10 p.m. on Friday, July 1 and Monday, July 4, people all over the Wildwoods will enjoy a spectacular FREE fireworks/laser light show extravaganza. Originating from the beach at Pine Avenue in Wildwood, this incredible Fourth of July pyrotechnics and laser display will be sure to awe and amaze. For additional information, call 609-523-1602 or visit www.dowildwood.com.
As if those events weren’t enough to make this Fourth of July Weekend in the Wildwoods fun for the whole family, the Wildwoods Convention Center will host the Sports Card, Toys, Comic Books and Collectibles Show from Friday, July 1 to Monday, July 4. The show will feature collectibles, memorabilia and guest star appearances. Expo hours are 3-9 p.m. on Friday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Saturday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sunday; and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Monday. Admission is FREE. For additional information, call 732-422-9365 or visit www.rksportspromotions.com.
Additionally, the Wildwoods Boardwalk will host a Boardwalk Craft Show featuring all hand-made items. The craft show will take place from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3 on the Wildwoods Boardwalk at Rio Grande Avenue. For additional information, call 609-522-0378.
The Wildwoods are the place to be this Fourth of July Weekend for FREE fun, FREE entertainment and FREE events for the whole family!
For additional information on these and other events happening in the Wildwoods this summer, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.