Margate always heats up in June, and never more so than for Beachstock 2024 The Planet’s Biggest Beach Party. Admission is always free, and no beach badges are ever required at the event. This year features new food vendors, more kids’ activities, an eclectic live music lineup, free wiffle ball home run derby, sand-sculpting, surf and kite lessons, Margate Cornhole League, Tournament, AC Volleyball Factory tournament, Pickle Juice pickleball, the beachfront Tiki Bar with numerous new and unique adult beverages to sample and purchase, plus so much more! Beachstock, a Margate tradition for 13 years, attracts over 5,000 visitors and returns to the beach Saturday, June 29, 8 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Rain date June 30) between Huntington and Granville avenues.
New for 2024
Beachstock After Dark with stage performances beginning at 8 p.m.! This year Q102’s Beach Tour presents Atlantic Records recording artist KNOX, who will headline the iHeart Media WZXL main stage at 9 p.m. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter has a fresh, clean sound inspired by Fall Out Boy; Panic! At the Disco; and Ed Sheeran. KNOX’s first hit song “Sneakers” has amassed over 28 million streams and his follow-up smash “Not the 1975” is well on its way to eclipsing that number. Opening for KNOX is Q102’s DJ Nico Oso, the “Prince of Philly” who captivates audiences whether it’s at Philadelphia Union soccer games as their official game-day DJ or on Q102, Philadelphia’s most popular radio station, hosting “Saturday Night Wired”. South Pacific Island Fire Dancers start heating things up at 8 p.m. along with the beach bonfire. The Tiki Bar will stay open and be ready to serve during each performance (must be 21 years of age and older).
Back by popular demand, and now a part of Beachstock on Saturday, is the free MBA Wiffle Ball Home Run Derby on the Granville Ave. beach from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. All hitters will be divided into age groups and have 10 swings off a tee to hit the most home runs over the fence in their age group for awesome prizes. USA DJ Entertainment will provide player introductions and music. For contest rules and to register in advance, go to www.margatehasmore.com. Sponsored by Colmar Home Center, Wawa, USA DJ Entertainment, Hartman Home Team, Sunrise Wine & Tequila Bar, and Shore Local.
The annual Margate Cornhole League Spring Championship and Beachstock Family Fun Cornhole Tournament will take place on the sand amid all the action of Beachstock. Official rules will apply, and teams can compete to win cash prizes. Spectators and guests can watch the tournament from the Colmar Home Center Chill Zone featuring comfy furniture and refreshments. Children and adults can participate in this family fun competition. Register for the cornhole tournament or the Beachstock Volleyball tournament at margatehasmore.com.
Beachgoers will have a wide array of food to choose from whether it’s sizzling hamburgers or ice cream from Margate Dairy Bar and Burger; savory authentic tacos from TacoCat; and tangy barbeque pulled pork and brisket courtesy of South Jersey Smokehouse. Arancini rice balls will be provided by the Little Sicilian and fresh seafood offerings from PJ Buckets. Culinary maestros from For Goodness Cakes will be selling mouthwatering cookies, cakes, breads, and brownies. Smoothie fans can stop by California Frozen Yogurt and Shakes for an endless variety of concoctions using only the freshest fruit. There’s something to satisfy every craving! There will be a beer garden with ice-cold selections along Huntington Ave. and the Tiki Bar on the beach is a can’t-miss (for 21 years and older) for a wide variety of refreshing samplings and opportunities to purchase your favorites.
One of Beachstock’s many highlights is the Sustainable Downbeach tent featuring terrapins, fun environmental educational interactive activities, displays and more. Those wanting to learn more about what lives in our waters and all the beautiful aspects of our beach can meet at the iHeart 100.7 WZXL main stage for an environmental walk hosted by “Scuba” Steve Jasiecki, a member of the Sustainable Downbeach team.
There are a ton of free activities like sand-sculpting lessons with Matthew Deibert, Margate Fire Department’s Cool Blast, Kids Treasure Hunt, limbo contests, surf lessons with Stacey’s Surf Camp, Air Circus Kite Shop single/double line stunt kite demonstrations and lessons, and Wawa Margate giveaways. The Margate City Police Department will be at their tent, providing valuable public information and giveaways. Popular character Troll Princess Poppy will be available for pictures along with Miss New Jersey Elizabeth Mendel at the kids’ stage. Learn to hula hoop with Flow Bright’s demonstrations and lessons. Stop at the vendor tents on the way across the sand for a variety of goods and services. Creative face painter Alissa Dirato and East Coast Fairy Hair return to Beachstock to create the most unique facial looks and hair extensions at the shore. Also, try your hand at Tossin Ten’s family fun game that reimagines skeeball and cornhole. Then check out the Pickle Juice pickleball Beach Court at Granville Ave. behind the Martin Bloom Pavilion during Beachstock, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Throughout the day, Pickle Juice of Ventnor will be offering complimentary play, kids’ clinics, and other fun pickleball activities. In addition, the Pickle Juice team will be giving out gear (T-shirts, hats, paddles, and more)!
A major feature of this 14-hour event is nonstop entertainment on the iHeart 100.7 WZXL main stage. Local singing sensation Teddi Fusco kicks off the event with the National Anthem. The musical lineup will include ever-popular local feel-good music classic rock and pop cover bands No Clue Trio, Sunrise Cries, and NJ British Invasion. All are talented musicians and singers who know how to wow an audience. The 95.1 WAYV Kids Stage will have a variety of kid-friendly entertainers and activities to keep the little ones engaged all afternoon. The Emerald Isle Academy of Irish Dance performers will again mesmerize Beachstock crowds with their highly choreographed, intense dance routines.
As the shadows lengthen and twilight turns to evening, the beach bonfire is lit and the excitement continues with a Samoan fire knife dance performance by the South Pacific Island Dancers. At dusk, children and their families can spread out their blankets, kick back in their beach chairs and enjoy the movie “Trolls Band Together” on a digital LED big screen. On the other side of the dunes, DJ Nico Oso will perform and then KNOX will rock the beach with a set of his biggest hits: the perfect way to cap off another spectacular Beachstock!
Festivalgoers can enjoy complimentary jitney shuttle service running 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. along Atlantic Avenue between Coolidge and Fredericksburg Avenues and the Eugene A. Tighe School parking lot. Beachstock is organized by the MBA in partnership with Margate City.
