NewsWorks’ 2017 Memorial Day Weekend Shore Guide

The summer high season officially begins at the Jersey Shore this Memorial Day Weekend.

And that means plenty of entertainment including fireworks, giant kites and music headliners like Maxwell, Aaron Lewis, Kansas, plus KC and the Sunshine Band.

The good news for the thousands heading there — rainy weather conditions in the start of this week are predicted to clear up in time for the holiday.

Here is NewsWorks’ guide to everything happening this Memorial Day Weekend down the shore:

Beach Haven

The Beach Haven Community Arts Program hosts the town’s Memorial Day Parade with a solemn procession beginning Monday at 10 a.m. on Taylor Ave., with a service to follow at Engleside Ave.

Absecon

The patriotic-themed Kids Bike Brigade and Absecon’s Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 29. The parade begins at 9 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

It’s been 40 years since “Carry On Wayward Son” propelled prog rockers Kansas to the top of the charts. The band will usher in the weekend with a concert in support of their latest album “The Prelude Implicit” at Atlantic City’s Resorts on Friday.

Also performing in concert is country music rocker Aaron Lewis. His “The Sinner Tour” comes to the Tropicana on Saturday, in support of the Billboard chart topping country album of the same name. Neo soul legend Maxwell, whose recent hit “Lake by the Ocean” won a Grammy for best R&B song, will at the Borgata on Sunday.

Dance party fans will want to head to Premier (at the Borgata). The nightclub will feature Israeli DJ Borgore on Friday, Dutch electro house music DJ Afrojack on Saturday and Dutch house music DJ Fedde Le Grande on Sunday. Lil Jon will close out the weekend-long festivities on Monday.

Harrah’s Pool After Dark will host a pool party featuring a live performance from Grammy winning R&B singer Ashanti on Friday. August Alsina will bring his hip hop act to the club on Saturday, while the official MDW2017 party with DJ Camilo and Friends happens on Sunday.

Over at Golden Nugget’s Haven Nightclub, catch Dutch house DJ R3HAB with special guest Krill Was Here on Saturday and DJ 4B on Sunday.

On Friday morning, Resorts will host its 4th annual Beach Ball Drop with 5000 balls dropped over the boardwalk to signal the start of summer.

Tropicana will again put on its free Boardwalk Block Party with 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.

Margate

Margate’s Memorial Day parade commences at 10 a.m. from Margate City Hall (formerly Union Avenue School) and will march to the All Wars Memorial (Mansfield and Ventnor Avenues). A ceremony and wreath laying will follow. In the event of rain, the Memorial Day ceremony will take place at Margate City Hall.

Somers Point

The annual parade will feature 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 to honor fallen veterans will follow.

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

Ocean City

Put on your boogie shoes. Disco legend KC and the Sunshine Band will perform hits like “Get Down Tonight” and “That’s the Way (I Like It)” at Ocean City’s Music Pier on Sunday, May 28 at 7:30 p.m.

The 35-member Bucks County Singers from Newtown, PA will perform a free Memorial Day Weekend show filled with pop standards and Broadway show tunes, plus patriotic favorites. The concert takes place outside the Music Pier on Saturday, May 27, at 6 p.m.

Support the memory or fallen veterans and their families by joining the Memorial Beach Challenge competition. The all-ages event has a Navy Seal-approved obstacle course, Kid Fun Run and closes with memorial service to veterans. All proceeds benefit the 31Heroes Project.

Ocean City’s Memorial Day service will be held at Ocean City Tabernacle Monday, May 29 at 11 a.m.

Sea Isle City

The Memorial Day ceremony will take place Monday, May 29, 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 at 9 a.m. from 32nd and Dune Dr. and proceed north to Veterans Plaza (21st and Dune Dr.) on Monday, May 29.

The parade will feature bagpiper Michael F. Bell, Patriot Brass Ensemble, a mounted unit from the Cape May County Sheriff’s Office, Miss Avalon Julia Magill and grand marshall Commodore Lisa Natalizio of the Avalon Yacht Club.

A ceremony will follow the parade with remarks from Lt. Colonel Robert “Scott” Volkert, USMC.

Stone Harbor

A Memorial Day ceremony for fallen veterans will take place at 96th St. and the beach at 11 a.m., followed by a parade at noon.

Wildwoods

The return of the International Kite Festival in Wildwood is a memorial Day Weekend tradition. Skies above the beach will be teeming with colorful, creative kites of all varieties and sizes, including the always popular 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 wraps up with an indoor kite flying competition – 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 annual Summer Kick Off Concert, featuring The Fabulous Grease Band, in Centennial Park (Fern Rd. and Ocean Ave.).

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.

Later Monday evening, Wildwood’s Memorial Day Parade will set off from Oak and Atlantic Aves. at 7:30 p.m. and head south to Andrews Ave. The parade will be followed by a candlelight vigil and ceremony at the Wildwood Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

Cape May

Cape May will kick off its 19-day Cape May Music Festival this weekend. The 35-piece Atlantic Brass Band – winner of the 2017 North American Brass Band competition – gets the music fest started with a free Sunday evening show at the Rotary bandstand at 7 p.m.

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