Next Exit Shore Guide (Sept 4-17)

If the first week of September’s temperatures are any indication, there is still plenty of summer to be had at the Jersey shore this month. Despite the closure of four casinos, Atlantic City will still have one of the biggest tourism draws before autumn officially begins as it again hosts the Miss America Pageant.

The Jersey shore has a special connection to the pageant this year, as Miss New Jersey, Cierra Kaler-Jones, hails from Galloway Township.

Preliminary competition nights will be held at Boardwalk Hall from Sept 9-11, each starting at 7 p.m. The beauty contest hopefuls will vie for the crown in categories such as Swimsuit, Evening Wear, Talent and On-Stage Question. Kaler-Jones, who was born with developmental hip dysplasia, will compete with contemporary dance as her talent.

On Saturday, Sept 13, floats, marching bands, a host of dignitaries and 53 pairs of high fashion footwear will take part in the Show Us Your Shoes Parade. The two-hour parade sets off down the boardwalk at 5 p.m. from Connecticut Ave all the way to Albany Ave. The public can view the parade from a viewing area in front of Boardwalk Hall (seats cost $22.50 to $39.50) or from one of the Free Zones along the route.

Around 200,000 people are anticipated to come out for the shoe parade alone.

The final night of competition and coronation of the next Miss America happens at Boardwalk Hall on Sunday, Sept 14 at 8 p.m. (broadcast on ABC at 9 p.m.).

Week of Sept. 4 – 10

Atlantic City

For their 35th anniversary, 1980s hitmaker Toto is working on a new album and co-headlining a tour with the blue-eyed soul baritone Michael McDonald. The tour makes it way to Harrah’s this Saturday. It’s not the first time that McDonald and Toto have teamed up. Several band members contributed to McDonald’s debut solo album and he, in turn, was a guest vocalist on Toto’s single, “I’ll Be Over You”. Tickets start at $45. Saturday, Sept 6, 8 p.m. – 777 Harrah’s Blvd. Atlantic City, N.J.

Cape May

Craft Brew lovers will want to get in on the first Brews By The Bay festival jointly held at the Cape May and Lewes ferry terminals on Saturday, Sept 6. Timing of the double festival is staggered so that attendees can make it out to both locations. Gates in Cape May open at noon, while gates in Lewes open at 4 p.m.

Several New Jersey and Delaware breweries will be participating. From the Garden State, be on the look out for beers from Flying Fish, River Horse, Cape May, Tuckahoe, Kane, Carton, Rinn Duin, Glasstown, Iron Hill and Cricket Hill. First State breweries on hand will be Dogfish Head, 16 Mile, Argilla, Stewarts, Old Dominion, Twin Lakes, 3rd Wave and Mispillion River Brewing.

Individual tickets can be purchased for $40 in advance or $45 at the gate. A combo pass ticket can be had for $60 and includes a roundtrip foot passenger ride on the ferry. There is also a special $5 ticket rate for designated drivers. Saturday, Sept 6, noon to 8 p.m. – Cape May Terminal, 1200 Sandman Blvd., Cape May, N.J.

WildwoodThe free, four-day Roar To The Shore motorcycle rally returns to Wildwood Sept 5-7.

One of the highlights of the rally will be the inaugural Light Up The Night illuminated motorcycle show held on Pacific Ave. between Oak and Schellenger Aves. on Friday evening.

Also new this year is the Ives Brothers “Wall of Death” stunt show, happening every 90 minutes in the Convention Center lot through-out the weekend.

On Saturday, sportsters, touring bikes, cruisers, choppers and more will compete for cash prizes in the Custom Bike Show. Pedestrians beware… bikes will take to the boards on Sunday afternoon for the Rubber Duck Boardwalk Ride.

There will plenty of live music each day of the rally from the competitive rounds of the Battle of the Biker Bands to evening concerts at venues like Boardwalk Bar & Grill, The Deck and Shamrock Cafe. Thursday, September 4 through Saturday, September 6, 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday, Sept 7, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – various locations, Wildwood, N.J.

Stone HarborStone Harbor marks its 100th year with a Centennial Jubilee this Saturday. The observance kicks off with a parade at the 80th Street Marina. It will proceed down 80th St. to Second Ave., and continue south to 122nd St. where the parade then turns north and heads up First Ave. to 83rd St. The procession then makes it way back onto Second St. and heads back to the marina.

Afterwards, folks can join in on family-friendly activities at the 80th Street Recreation Field and a celebratory lobster bake buffet. Marnie & Nate and The Soul Cruisers will be the live music entertainment. Fireworks cap things off at dusk. The event is free, but tickets for the lobster bake are $50. Saturday, Sept 6, 2:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. – 80th Street Recreation Field, Stone Harbor, N.J.

Week of Sept 11 -17

Atlantic CityCrunk master, Lil Jon performs a live DJ set at Borgata’s Mixx nightclub on Saturday. The trap hit, “Turn Down For What” – his collaboration with DJ Snake – has been a fixture on the Billboard Hot 100 chart since January and Lil Jon’s new single, “Bend Ova”, was just released late summer. General admission tickets are $25. Saturday, Sept 13, 10 p.m. – 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, N.J.

Ocean CityOn Saturday, Sept 13, Ocean City brings back its annual Air Festival. The free event features a ground exhibit of antique, classic, warbird and home-built aircraft, including a World War II Grumman TBM Avenger and a B25J Mitchell World War II bomber. There will be model airplane demonstrations, plus helicopter and airplane rides for purchase.It’s also chance to meet performers for the next day’s air show. Saturday, September 13,10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Ocean City Municipal Airport, 2600 Bay Ave., Ocean City, NJ.Aerobatic pilots will take to the skies on Sunday as part of the free Boardwalk Aerobatic Air Show. The program features Team AeroDynamix Formation Sensation. Spectators can view the show from the beach and boardwalk between 6th and 14th Sts. Sunday, Sept 14, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Beach and Boardwalk, Ocean City, N.J

WildwoodWildwood honors the state’s bravest with its annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention Memorial Parade on Saturday, Sept 13. It’s being held in conjunction with a weekend-long firefighters convention.

The four-hour parade sets off at 1 p.m. at Crocus Rd. in Wildwood Crest and continues for two and 1/2 miles on New Jersey Ave, concluding at Eighth Ave. in North Wildwood. More than 200 fire companies from four states will participate with over 300 pieces of apparatus. Bands will perform along the parade route. A public viewing stand will be located at 17th and New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood, N.J.

Afterwards, prizes will be awarded inside the Wildwoods Convention Center at 8 p.m.. Saturday, Sept 13, 1 p.m. – New Jersey Ave., The Wildwoods, N.J.

Sea Isle CitySea Isle welcomes autumn a week early with the two-day Fall Family Festival. Highlights include the event’s annual sand sculpting competition and an antique auto show.

A sand sculpting demonstration takes place on the JFK Boulevard Beach Saturday at 9 a.m., followed by the public competition. Trophies for the best amateur sand art will be awarded in a ceremony at noon. At Excursion Park, JFK Blvd. and Pleasure Ave., folks will find a vendor market and food court, children’s games and activities, plus live music from the Good Tymes Band from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Saturday evening’s concert at the Excursion Park will feature Billy Joel tribute artist, Robert Eric. The concert will begin at 8 p.m. and attendees are encouraged to arrive early if they want to snag bench seats. Concert-goers can also bring folding chairs and spread out blankets on the park lawn to enjoy the show.

Sunday’s antique auto show will showcase vintage rides along the Promenade, north of JFK Blvd., from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Snake Brothers Band will be also be playing from 10 a.m. to noon. Over at Excursion Park, free guided historical trolley tours will depart every half-hour from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The festival comes to an end with an afternoon parade of antique automobiles cruising through town. Saturday, September 13, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Sept 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Sea Isle City, N.J.