Celebrating its 21st anniversary, Margate’s marquee event, Fall Funfest By The Bay, is set for Saturday and Sunday, September 24 and 25th.
Fall Funfest brings over 110 booths and amusements comprised of delectable 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 11 Live bands on the WZXL 100.7 Main Stage, 12 acts on the 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage and “DJ for a Day”, Ray Scott’s Dock Wetlands Wonderland, two days of parades featuring Miss New Jersey, Augostina Mallous, Miss Atlantic County Brooke Feldman, costumed characters, Jersey String Band and MORE (whew)! Oh did we mention, the 25th Annual Steve and Cookie’s Dog Show, a beer garden, Saturday Cornhole Tournament and the immensely popular Tito’s Handmade Vodka tent? 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.
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. New Work of Heart Studio: Native American local artist who sells a plethora of unique handmade Native American art as well as jewelry and woodwork; Cozy DreamZZZ by KK: hand crafted chenille baby and car blankets, scarfs, hats and all-purpose mats that can be used for pets, babies and bathrooms. NEW culinary booths include Grassia’s Italian Market Spice Company: packaged spice and herb blends; Nutty Novelties: nut butters / nut bites in 18 varieties.
Vendors from throughout the region will be offering a variety of savory selections including seafood, barbecued meats, pizza, funnel cakes, acai bowls, fruit shakes, Mexican food, doughnuts, cheesesteaks, Tin Cup sodas and much more. The beer gardens and a special Tito’s Handmade Vodka tent will provide a wide array of adult beverages. Amherst Avenue’s signature bars and restaurants will be offering delectable foods and beverages as well. Eleven musical bands will be featured on the main stage, playing everything from rock, to country, to jazz.
The fun kicks off on Saturday, from 11 am- 6 pm and continues through Sunday from 11am-4pm, along Amherst Avenue, between Decatur and Coolidge Avenues. 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.
Saturday features the return of the Funfest Cornhole Tournament presented by Haven Marketing with a $500 top prize and open to all ages. Register online at Fall Funfest Cornhole Tournament. or on the day of Washington Ave. from 10 am – noon, tournament begins at 1pm. The event is hosted by Colmar True Value Home Center with music provided by 95.1 WAYV! Sunday is free Cornhole recreational play.
The 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage will be featuring the Emerald Isle Academy of Irish Dances performance troupe and Currier’s Magical Mania and One-Man Circus juggler and magical illusions. The excitement continues with performances by the talented students of Suzie Neustadter and Blake’s Gymnastics.
Attractions will include special guests, Miss New Jersey Augostina Mallous and daily parades, autograph and photo sessions featuring Miss Atlantic County Brooke Feldman, Snow White, Minion, Moana, Storm Trooper, Darth Vader, PJ Crab, and ACUA’s Supercan! Make sure to stop by and visit Alissa Dirato face painting, New Jersey Fairy Hair and pumpkin decorating. Submit your decorated pumpkin to info@margatehasmore.com and top winners receive a gift certificate to a Margate local business. Margate City municipal departments: police, fire, public works and recreation will be on hand with information, give-aways and activities.
On Sunday, visitors can enjoy Steve and Cookie’s 25th Annual Dog Show featuring best dressed small/large dogs and prettiest/most handsome small/large dogs, and best rescue categories! Register on-line in Eventbrite at Steve and Cookie’s Dog Show or 11:30 am-12:30 pm on site at Steve & Cookie’s before the show. The Scent Works Academy K-9 demonstration will be held at 11:30 am.
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. Metal sculptures by Barry Winokur will be available for purchase and NEW this year will be a Monarch Butterfly display, crafts and Create-A Butterfly Garden.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center and Sustainable Downbeach will have a variety of displays featuring ocean and bay life.
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. WAWA coupon giveaways 100.7 WAYV ‘DJ for a Day’- the station records your audio & video, posting on station social media; Novelli Team, Compass Real Estate: exciting activities; Humana: giveaways and prize wheel and New York Life: New York Life Child ID Program
Adults and children can get on the microphone as 95.1 WAYV now offers listeners a chance to be ‘DJ for a Day’ with their interactive display that puts participants in front of a live microphone, with a custom radio station music bed, script and backdrop. Create your “DJ” name, then the station records your audio and video, posting on station socials for your friends and family to see! This activity is FREE and is open to people of all ages!
Visitors will enjoy shopping at local businesses for early holiday gift buying or picking up something for themselves! For unique clothing items visit Shop Sixty Five, Lilly’s and J-Lor. Shoppers can get all the cool surfing apparel and more at Heritage Surf & Sport and the hottest designer fish logoed shirts and hats and decals at Steelfin. Revel Ride, Margate’s newest business will offer coupons and discounts to their spin classes!
Funfest After Dark; Definitely Not For Kids, sponsored by Draft Kings will continue the weekend’s fun into the night of the 24th, from 7:30pm to 10pm. FUNFEST After Dark – is all about tastings and food, dancing and rocking with the Mas Tequila Orchestra. This is a special adults-only event, admission to the tasting 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 and access to the spectacularly decorated lounge on the Washington Avenue Pier and the featured Tito’s Handmade Vodka tent. Draft Kings will be on hand hosting cornhole contests, giveaways, and incentives for new/existing customers. To purchase tickets, visit Eventbrite at Funfest After Dark .
The Margate Fall Funfest By The Bay, was started in 1998 by Margate Business Association founder and president Joseph Tozzi. The event held annually on Amherst Avenue, grew and realized crowds of 20,000 people from throughout the tri-state area all coming to enjoy the spectacular flavors, crafts and entertainment in Margate. The event is designed to give a boost to local businesses in the shoulder season and to showcase so many of Margate’s natural attributes.
2022 event sponsors are 100.7 WZXL, 95.1 WAYV, Atlantic County Utilities Authority, Draft Kings,
Downbeach Express, Hartman Home Team of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Fox & Roach Realtors, South Jersey Electric Vehicles, Margate Business Association, Maynard’s Café, Mediagate, Ray Scott’s Dock, Steve & Cookie’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar, Dr. Joe Berretone, DMD, Humana, New York Life, WAWA, Novelli Team, Compass RE, Renewal by Andersen and Tomatoe’s.
For more information and updates visit MargateHasMore.com or download the Catch the Margate Wave App.
