Margate’s marquee event, Margate Fall Funfest by The Bay Saturday, September 23 from 11am-6pm and Sunday, September 24 from 11am-4pm brings over 110 booths and amusements comprised of mouthwatering foods, unique fine arts and crafts, Margate retailers, sponsors, nonprofits, Margate City municipal departments, kid’s activities and… that doesn’t even include all the great FREE stuff like 10 Live bands on the WZXL 100.7 Main Stage, 12 acts on the 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage, Ray Scott’s Dock Wetlands Wonderland, two days of parades featuring Miss New Jersey, costumed characters and MORE (whew)!! Oh, did we mention, the 26 th Annual Steve and Cookie’s Dog Show, a beer garden, Saturday Cornhole Tournament and the immensely popular Tito’s Handmade Vodka tent??? If that isn’t enough Saturday evening rolls into Funfest After Dark; Not for Kids featuring wine and spirits tasting, lite bites and the out of this world band NJ British Invasion!!
Now in its 22 nd year, always free admission, Funfest brings fresh and exciting family friendly venues for 2023. Thousands of visitors attend Margate Fall Funfest to enjoy the breathtaking family friendly venue along the beautiful bayfront and promenade, and the friendly spirit of the people of Margate!
Food vendors from throughout the region will be offering savory food selections like Tony Boloney’s uniquely themed subs, California Frozen Yogurt’s refreshing acai bowls, Vagabond’s tequila shrimp bangers, South Jersey Smokehouse barbeque, Philly Pretzels, RSK mini donuts, Tacocat Cal-Mex fare, The Muffin Top Asian and Vietnamese food, Sherris’ Crabcakes, St. Nicholas Greek food, Tin Cup Soda, Tommy D’s funnel cakes, Mad Dog Morgan burgers and chicken, Water Dog barbecue, Betty’s Seafood lobster rolls, shrimp boxes, Aneu Kitchen and Catering, and The Other Lucy
doughnuts and much more. A beer garden and Tito’s Bloody Mary tent offer plenty of opportunities to quench anyone’s thirst
Funfest is known for its highly touted crafters and artisans. Dozens of juried artists offering a wide variety of handmade crafts including pottery, photography, fall décor, culinary artisans, handmade candles, wood working, soaps, and unique jewelry will be at Funfest.
Talented musical bands and performers will be featured on the main stage, playing everything from rock, blues, country and Broadway. Saturday’s line-up features Teddi Fusco, the No Clue Trio, Viv Luff, Swing that Cat, Poor Mouth Henry and Bluestreet Band. Sunday will be rocking with The Company, Dan Barry, Mas Tequila Orchestra and Cubicle Shamans.
Saturday features the return of the Funfest Cornhole Tournament presented by Haven Marketing with a cash prize and open to all ages. Register online at Funfest Cornhole or day of on Washington Ave. from 10 am – noon, tournament begins at 1pm. The event is hosted by Colmar True Value Home Center Sunday is free Cornhole recreational play. On Sunday visitors will also enjoy Steve and Cookie’s 26th Annual Dog Show, with featured guests and exciting contest categories starring the most handsome and adorable dogs.
NEW entertainment this year on the 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage will include cool magic and mentalism in the Street Sorcery Show and the Wild Thrill Stunt Extravaganza featuring, juggling with knives, object balancing, fire eating and plenty of audience participation. A cartoon character parade, starring Buzz Lightyear, Minion, Stormtrooper and Cinderella will join Miss New Jersey Victoria Mozitis, in a procession down Amherst Ave. The excitement continues with performances by the talented students of Suzie Neustadter and Blake’s Gymnastics. Back this year is a pumpkin decorating contest; purchase a pumpkin at Funfest for $2 and send a picture of your decorated pumpkin to info@margatehasmore.com.
Winners will be posted on the Margate Has More Facebook page. Ray Scott’s Dock ‘Wetland Wonderland’ will be hosting a myriad of activities including the annual Terrapin Turtle Release, call 609-822-6819 to reserve a boat seat. Jacques Cousteau Estuary Research, the Marine Mammal Standing Center and Sustainable Downbeach will have a variety of displays featuring ocean and bay life. Plus, a native butterfly ndisplay!!
New to Funfest and offering some fun and unique activities is Carefree Boat Club of South Jersey. Sponsor tents will feature exciting FREE activities and giveaways. WAWA will be randomly handing out product coupons; Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s environmental giveaways, waste disposal information, and participants of all ages are invited spin to the environmental trivia question wheel and be on the lookout for Supercan mascot; Renewal by Andersen, Hartman Home Team Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors interactive activities and South Jersey Electric Vehicles golf cart display. Novelli Team, Compass Real Estate will offer wonderful activities and information.
Visitors will enjoy shopping at local businesses for early holiday gift buying or picking up something for themselves! For unique clothing items visit Christina’s Boutique and Lilly’s. Shoppers can get all the cool surfing apparel and more at Heritage Surf & Sport and the hottest designer fish logo’d shirts and hats and decals at Steelfin.
Funfest After Dark Definitely Not for Kids, on Saturday continues the weekend’s fun into the night of the 23rd, from
7:30pm to 10pm at the Washington Ave. pier with live music by NJ British Invasion and a wine and spirits tasting. Funfest
After Dark is a special adults-only event. Admission to the tasting and access to the decorated lounge on the
Washington Avenue Pier and the featured Tito’s Handmade Vodka tent is $20 (advance ticket purchase) $25 day of and
includes 5 samplings of wine & spirits, finger foods provided by Dino’s Subs and Philly Pretzel Factory. To purchase tickets visit margatehasmore.com. The live music performance and dancing in the streets is free for those who just want to groove to the beat of the NJ British Invasion highlighting some of Britian’s greatest exports: The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who and The Clash.
Free jitney shuttle service is available all along Ventnor and Amherst Avenues and from the parking lot at the Eugene Tighe School on 7804 Amherst Avenue. Just look for the FREE FUNFEST JITNEY sign in the jitney window or download the Jitney Surfer app to track your jitney!
Schedules and events subject to change or cancellation.
2023 event sponsors are 100.7 WZXL, 95.1 WAYV, Atlantic County Utilities Authority, Downbeach Express, Hartman Home Team of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Fox & Roach Realtors, South Jersey Electric Vehicles, Haven Marketing, Colmar Home Center, Margate Business Association, Maynard’s Café, Mediagate, Ray Scott’s Dock, Steve & Cookie’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Dr. Joe Berretone, DMD, WAWA, Novelli Team, Compass RE, Renewal by Andersen and Tomatoe’s.
