From the Editor
Freedom rings this weekend as we celebrate the first Fourth of July since the “official” end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The fireworks displays will be larger than ever before, and families will gather up and down the coast while music is played, ribbons are cut, and ice cream drips down the sticky hands of happy children.
With each summer holiday, we look forward to watching the beaches flood with happy families decked out in their red, white, and blue. Restaurants fill to capacity, popcorn overflows, and we enjoy the sweet smell of a midsummer night at the Jersey Shore in celebration of America’s birthday. As the sun sets, we enjoy the palpable sensation of summertime bliss in the air as Ferris Wheels spin and rollercoasters roar. Whether you order “Jimmies” or “sprinkles” doesn’t really matter.
For shore town businesses, the Fourth of July is one of the year’s busiest weekends. Nearly every town in South Jersey offers a remarkable schedule of events to commemorate this wonderful weekend. This week, we are thrilled to witness several new business openings, including Spiegelworld theater and dining complex “The Hook” and Island Waterpark in Atlantic City. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Ocean Casino Resort have a lot to celebrate, each marking their five-year anniversary on June 28.
Events and happenings are abundant in every local town. We’ve got it all covered in our new entertainment section, Wahoo! Don’t miss Whitney’s Picks for a highlight of what’s going on each week online and in print. Check out Ocean City Pops’ free outdoor concert on July 3-4, as well as a full list of other events in our weekly “What’s Happening in Ocean City” listing.
The celebrations culminate in fireworks displays across the area from the shore to the mainland. Two of my favorite places to lay out the blanket are Kennedy Park in Somers Point and Faunce Landing in Absecon. These locations offer different vantage points of multiple shows in the sky at the same time. Wherever you choose to enjoy, please do so responsibly.
This issue of Shore Local is packed with features about the people, places, and events that make the Jersey Shore such a wonderful place to live, work, and visit. As we celebrate this incredible weekend, don’t forget that freedom isn’t free. We are forever indebted to those who have served so that we may enjoy this weekend however our heart’s desire.
Thanks for sharing your summer with us.
Look for us every Thursday on newsstands and online at shorelocalnews.com. We would love to hear from you. Email shorelocalnews@gmail.com or call 609 705 5323 with your opinions, events, questions, or story ideas. Shore Local is made possible by our loyal advertisers, local merchants, and service providers, who make up the fabric of our community. Please make sure to check out their ads and support local businesses.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
