For nearly five decades, the Somers Point Good Old Days Festival has brought generations of residents together for a day of music, food, activities, community — and $1 hot dogs and hamburgers.
The annual festival will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, at John F. Kennedy Park in Somers Point. Organized by a subcommittee of the Somers Point Historical Society, the event will feature free entertainment, children’s activities, community groups, vendors, classic cars and more.
Sean McGuigan, chairman of the festival’s organizing committee, has been involved with the event for approximately 25 years. He said the festival’s appeal comes from its ability to bring people together while maintaining the traditions that have made it a local favorite.
“The essence of it — or the core of it — has remained the same,” McGuigan said. “And really that is the coming together and renewing old friendships and spending some time with your neighbors.”
The festival began 48 years ago as an end-of-summer picnic organized by Lawrence “Bud” Kern, who helped establish the Somers Point Recreation Department, Little League and other local recreation programs. The picnic was intended as a way for residents to reconnect before the start of the school year and the return to regular routines.
Over the years, the picnic grew into the Good Old Days Festival. While the event has lost two years — one because of a hurricane and another because of the COVID-19 pandemic — its traditions have continued.
One of the most recognizable is the festival’s $1 hamburgers and hot dogs, which McGuigan said remain a highlight of the day.
“You can come to the festival and reminisce about the good old days, when you could buy a hamburger for $1,” he said.
The festival will also feature three bands performing free music from noon to 6 p.m., along with children’s activities, crafters, community organizations and a selection of classic cars.
This year, attendees can expect to see two to three times as many classic cars as in previous years as the Historical Society incorporates elements of its former October car show into the festival.
A beer garden and tent will also be available for adults.
For those looking to get active before the festival begins, the Run to Remember 5K will start at 9 a.m. The race honors first responders who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, while also recognizing first responders in the local community.
A new team competition will debut this year, with police, fire, dispatchers, sheriff offices, rescue and other agencies throughout the state forming teams. McGuigan said the five fastest times from each team will be averaged, with the team posting the lowest average time earning a trophy to keep until next year’s race.
The 5K course winds through the Great Bay Country Club neighborhood, looping around the golf course. Proceeds from the race support the Somers Point Historical Society’s efforts to provide scholarships, educational programs and preservation initiatives for future generations.
“This event is our opportunity to say thank you,” McGuigan, who is also the race director, said. “Every day, our first responders answer the call without hesitation. The Run to Remember allows our community to recognize their dedication, honor those we’ve lost, and celebrate the spirit of service that keeps our communities safe.”
Transportation to the event is also a priority. Festival parking will be available at several locations throughout Somers Point, including Firehouse No. 1 on Bethel Road, Dawes Avenue School, Jordan Road School and Gregory’s Restaurant & Bar on Shore Road. Free shuttle buses will transport attendees to and from JFK Park.
McGuigan said the festival typically draws between 6,000 and 7,000 people, including visitors who return to Somers Point specifically for the annual gathering.
“Since it’s been so long, we now have generations and generations,” he said. “Perhaps kids and people that have moved out of town put it on a calendar and they come back to Somers Point just to see old friends.”
McGuigan said attendees are encouraged to bring a beach chair, take the free shuttle and settle in for the day.
Julia graduated from Rider University in 2024 with a BA in multiplatform journalism and minor in social media strategies. In addition to reporting on local news for Shore Local, she is a social media strategist for small businesses. Connect with her: shorelocaljulia@gmail.com or @juliatrain on Instagram.
