Over 110 Booths and Amusements, Plus 2 Stages with FREE Entertainment
Margate’s annual marquee event, the Margate Fall Funfest by The Bay, presented by Philadelphia Lexus Dealers, is back Saturday, September 28 from 11am-6pm and Sunday, September 29 from 11am-5pm. Funfest 2024 brings over 110 booths of spectacular hand-made fine arts and crafts, amusements, mouthwatering foods, Margate retailers, major commercial sponsors, nonprofit organizations and Margate City municipal departments. There will be plenty of kids’ activities and eleven live bands and performers on the WZXL 100.7 Main Stage, a dozen acts on the 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage, Scott’s Dock Wetlands Wonderland, two days of parades featuring Miss New Jersey, and costumed Star Wars characters. a refreshing beer garden with plenty of ice-cold selections, and the immensely popular Tito’s Handmade Vodka Bloody Mary Tent. Then as Saturday rolls into evening, Funfest After Dark: Definitely Not for Kids kicks off featuring wine and spirits tasting and lite bites. The Hook brings the fun of their show and restaurant to the bayfront and live music by Steve Moore & The MIA Band who will light up Washington Avenue with rock classics, dance faves and country jams. On Sunday, the 27th Annual Steve and Cookie’s Dog Show for our four-legged friends, entertains the audience with their sartorial splendor.
Now in its 23rd year, and always free admission, Funfest brings fresh and exciting family friendly venues for 2024. Thousands of visitors attend Margate Fall Funfest to enjoy the breathtaking family friendly venue along the beautiful bayfront and promenade, and the warm spirit of the people of Margate! MBA President Ed Berger knows how vital it is for Funfest to grow and evolve, “For over 2 decades the MBA and our partner, the City of Margate, have put on this wonderful, free family event to celebrate Fall and our beautiful bay front. Each year, we work a little harder to make it a little better, and 2024 is no exception. Bring your folks, pack up your kids, call you friends and joins us…you won’t be disappointed.”
Food vendors from throughout the region will be offering savory food selections like California Frozen Yogurt’s refreshing fresh fruit smoothies, South Jersey Smokehouse’s flavorful brisket and ribs, Tacocat Cal-Mex tacos and seafood, Water Dog BBQ pulled pork, Betty’s Seafood Shack lobster rolls and shrimp boxes, Vagabond and their tequila shrimp bangers are a Funfest favorite, The Muffin Top Asian and Vietnamese spring rolls and beef skewers, Sherri’s famous crabcakes, St. Nicholas Greek Church traditional Greek favorites, Tony Boloney’s, Tin Cup Soda, Tommy T’s funnel cakes, Philly Pretzels 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 and immensely talented crafters and artisans. Dozens of juried artists will offer a wide variety of handmade crafts including pottery, photography, fall décor, culinary artisans, handmade candles, wood working, soaps, and unique jewelry.
Talented musical bands and performers will be featured on the main stage, playing everything from rock, blues, country and show tunes. Saturday’s line-up features Teddi Fusco performing Broadway show-stoppers and the latest hits; the No Clue Trio and their feel good rock hits; Swing that Cat and their ‘Sonic Cocktail’ of blues, swing and cabaret;
Poor Mouth Henry jams classic and country rock favorites; 1818 Shakedown Street covers the Grateful Dead like no other and Artese N Toad is an acoustic singer-songwriting duo that will wow with their harmonies. Sunday’s line-up spotlights Dan Barry and his acoustic hits; Friend of a Friend covers everything from the Beatles to Eminem; Sunrise Cries provides an eclectic mix of rock, pop and dance tunes; the Bluestreet Band handles everything blues, country and folk and rounding out Funfest is The Company and a set of timeless classics from every genre.
On Sunday visitors will also enjoy Steve and Cookie’s 27th Annual Dog Show, with featured guests and exciting contest categories starring the most handsome/prettiest large and small dogs and a high energy K-9 demonstration. Benefits NJ Aid for Animals and the Humane Society of Ocean City. Pre-register at www.steveandcookies.com .
Entertainment this year on the 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage will include mind boggling 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 character parade with Cinderella, Buzz Lightyear and Star Wars favorites Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and Stormtrooper, Miss New Jersey Elizabeth Mendel, in a procession down Amherst Ave. The excitement continues with performances by students from Blake’s Gymnastics.
Scott’s Dock ‘Wetland Wonderland’ will be hosting a myriad of activities including salt marsh and shore education, a native butterfly display with Mary Lanahan, terrapin turtles, “what’s on the beach?”, and Sustainable Downbeach information with a variety of presentations featuring ocean and bay life. Also find Green Team information, Spinning Wheel Environmental Questions with small prizes, Native Plant seed giveaways, a fish aquarium, beach and bay displays, What’s on the beach?, and find a shark tooth. There will be a Watershed Ambassador aquatic display and a wetlands educational display. Families can book trips aboard the Captain Robin for Sunday Ecotours and turtle releases at 11am, 1pm and 3pm. Call Scott’s Dock at (609)-822-6819 or visit www.scottsdock.com to reserve your seat. Admission is $25 adult, $15 for kids age 13 and under.
Sponsor tents will feature exciting FREE activities and giveaways. New this year!!! A beautiful 2025 Lexus luxury vehicle will be on site to browse and imagine yourself behind the wheel; Tomberlin Golf Carts will also be available Saturday and Sunday, September 28 and 29. Visit their booth at Amherst and Washington Avenues and test drive their awesome street legal golfcarts and see if one fits your active lifestyle. Must be 21 or older. Plan the trip of a lifetime with Sundance Vacations or check out the sharpest products at the Cutco Cutlery booth. WAWA will be 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; discover the newest styles in windows from Renewal by Andersen; the Hartman Home Team Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors will provide interactive activities. Plus the Novelli Team, Compass Real Estate will offer wonderful activities and information. Freedom Boat Club will provide information about their unique services.
Visitors will enjoy shopping at local businesses for early holiday gift buying or picking up something for themselves! Shoppers can get the coolest surfing apparel and more at Heritage Surf & Sport and the hottest designer fish logo shirts, hats and decals at the Steelfin booth and high fashion at Lilli’s. Golfers, stop by the Needleman Pro Golf tent, for the latest in personalized golf accessories.
Funfest After Dark: Definitely Not for Kids, on Saturday continues the weekend’s fun into the night of the 28th, from 7:30pm to 10pm at the Washington Ave. pier with live music by Steve Moore & The MIA band features an adult beverage tasting. Alex Leotta , co-owner of host sponsor Tomatoe’s knows they play an integral part in the success of Funfest weekend, “We’re so happy to once again bring the After Dark excitement back to Funfest. It gets better every year!” Plus, join the fun and adults only humor of The Hook, a homage to Atlantic City’s glorious age of live entertainment. They’ll be at After Dark offering a raffle for a VIP Dinner at Superfrico and show, free giveaways and other surprises. Admission to the tasting and access to the Washington Avenue Pier and the 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 Steve Moore & The MIA band that features everything from the latest dance hits, classic rock favorites and country jams.
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.
