NewsWorks’ 2016 Memorial Day Weekend Shore Guide

The weather for the Memorial Day Weekend looks pretty good for the Jersey Shore. Most areas are looking at highs in the 70’s through Monday.

(Updated) A tropical storm to the South combining with a front moving in from the West is now expected to bring heavy rain showers for the Jersey Shore on Monday. Read more

This weekend the Jersey Shore will have everything from big name concerts like Cyndi Lauper, Boy George and Tanya Tucker to one of the nation’s best kite festivals. 

Here is Newsworks’ guide to everything happening this holiday weekend Down the Shore: 

Point Pleasant Beach

Point Pleasant’s annual bike parade with marching veterans, fire trucks and bicycles all decked out in patriotic splendor will take place Saturday, May 28 at 10 a.m. The parade leaves from the parking lot across from the Elks Lodge on Arnold Ave. and will proceed east to Little Silver Lake.  Rain date is Monday.

Seaside Heights

On Friday morning, May 27, Bret Michaels of the rock band Poison will perform in front of the Spicy Cantina between Sumner & Webster Avenues. The concert is part of WCBS-FM’s “Summer Blast Off” broadcast show from 6-10 a.m. Michael’s  is expected to begin playing around 7 a.m. The show is free but WCBS says if you want to be close up you may needed to get in line before sunrise.

Barnegat Light

On Sunday, May 29, catch the evening Memorial Day parade.  It sets off at 6:30 p.m. from W. 11th, ending at the Barnegat Lighthouse State Park.  A memorial ceremony will follow at the lighthouse. 

Beach Haven (LBI)

All weekend long, Fantasy Island Amusement Park (320 7th St.) will host a free DJ dance party with three half-hour shows from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Absecon

A patriotic-themed Kids Bike Brigade and the Oakcrest High School Marching Band will be among the participants in Absecon’s Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 30.  The parade begins at 9:30 a.m. from the American Legion Post #28 (560 New Jersey Ave.) and proceeds to Veterans Park where a memorial tribute service will follow at 10 a.m.

Atlantic City

Cyndi Lauper and Boy George will bring their tour to the Borgata in Atlantic City on Sunday, May 29 at 7:30 a.m. The two 80s music icons, known for their flamboyant style as much as their expressive vocals, have teamed up for just six East Coast shows.

One of the three new nightclubs opening this summer, Premier (at the Borgata), will feature pop singer Bright Lights on Friday, Dutch house music DJ Fedde Le Grande on Sunday and EDM artist Deorro on Sunday. 

Harrah’s Pool After Dark will host a pool party from 2 p.m. until the wee hours featuring 2 Chainz and 3LAU on Sunday. Over at Golden Nugget’s Haven Nightclub, catch Dutch house DJ R3HAB on Saturday and Los Angeles DJ Borgeous on Sunday.

On Friday, Resorts will host its 3rd annual Beach Ball Drop with 5000 balls dropped over the boardwalk to signal the start of summer. 

Tropicana will be celebrating even more renovations with a free Boardwalk Block Party highlighting five new multimedia light and sound shows on its boardwalk facade. Festivities get started on Friday at 7 p.m. and will be capped off by fireworks at 10 p.m.

Somers Point

A parade of antique and classic cars, military vehicles, marching bands, Scouts and veterans will all be a part of the Somers Point Memorial Day festivities on Monday at 11 a.m. The route commences at Dawes Avenue School and proceeds down Shore Road to Patriots Park at Bethel Road and 1st Street. A brief memorial ceremony will follow.

Family members of deceased its are invited to join the parade by carrying a military photo of their loved ones.

Ocean City

Frank Sinatra tribute artist, Peter Oprisko, and the Jersey Shore Pops perform a Memorial Day Weekend show, featuring the hits of “Ol’ Blue Eyes” at the Music Pier on Saturday, May 28, at 7 p.m. Tickets range from $22 to $40.   

Saturday morning beach goers can join paddle board competitions, fun runs and obstacle courses in honor of fallen vets and Navy SEALS at the StandUP4SEALS 4th annual Memorial Beach Challenge Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. at the 8th Street Beach.  There will also be a ceremony to honor veterans.

Ocean City’s Memorial Day service will be held at Veterans Memorial Park (5th and Wesley Ave.) Monday, May 30 at 11 a.m.

Sea Isle City

The Memorial Day ceremony will take place Monday, May 30, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Veterans Park (JFK Blvd. and Landis Ave).

Avalon

Avalon’s annual Memorial Day Parade will set off from 32nd and Dune Dr. and wrap up at Veterans Plaza (21st and Dune Dr.) on Monday, May 25, at 9 a.m.

Stone Harbor

A Memorial Day ceremony will take place at 96th St. and the beach, followed by a parade at noon.

Wildwoods

Now a Memorial Day Weekend tradition, the International Kite Festival returns to Wildwood for four days. There will be impressive, vibrantly hued kites of all varieties and sizes, including giant show kites. An illuminated kite fly on Friday at 9 p.m. on the beach at Rio Grande is among the highlights.  Saturday and Sunday, from 9 a.m. onwards, onlookers can watch sport kite pilots compete or participate in kite workshops. The festival concludes with an indoor competition of kite flying – without wind – at the Convention Center on Monday.

Besides the Kite Festival, there will also be free all-ages concert and dance party in the Wildwoods. On Sunday, at 7:30 p.m., Wildwood Crest hosts its Summer Kick Off Concert, featuring The Fabulous Grease Band, in Centennial Park (Fern Rd. and Ocean Ave.). 

During the festival, folks can catch the craft show while strolling boardwalk Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 pm. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

On Memorial Day, a ceremony will take place at the Wildwood American Legion Post #184 (4200 Atlantic Ave.) at 11 a.m. where a firing squad and performance of “Taps” will honor deceased veterans. Wreath laying will occur at the legion post, Memorial Walk and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.  

Also on Monday, North Wildwood will hold a 10 a.m. ceremony at the North Wildwood Veterans Monument (Spruce and New York Aves.).

Cape May

Once again, Cape May marks the start of a concert-filled summer by kicking off both its annual Summer Concert Series and the 19-day Cape May Music Festival. Country music legend, Tanya Tucker will lead the concert series with a performance on Saturday, May 28, 8 p.m., at Convention Hall. The 35-piece Atlantic Brass Band gets the music fest started with a Sunday evening show also at the hall.

Cape May’s annual Memorial Day Service will happen on Monday at 11 a.m. at the Cape May Convention Hall.