Next Exit Shore Guide (week of July 31 – Aug 6)

If you don’t have a ticket to this week’s two free beach concerts in Atlantic City you’re out of luck. All 120,000 tickets are snapped up. But even if you’re not going you have to admire what’s being attempted here. The free shows are part of marketing campaign to save Atlantic City as we know it. 

Blake Shelton plays on Thursday evening. The country music vocalist and music coach on NBC’s The Voice will perform after opening act, Dan & Shay, in support of his “Ten Times Crazier” tour. 

Sunday, the beach will again be packed with concert-goers as country music group, Lady Antebellum perform. Best known for their crossover hit “Need You Now“, Lady Antebellum will be releasing a new album 747 in September. The first single, “Bartender”, has had airplay on country radio since May. Opening act is duo Alex & Sierra.

Entry to the beach is allowed starting at 10 a.m. The concert will be held at low tide, with the opening act going on at 4 p.m. The headliners will play their hour and half show at 6 p.m. Fireworks will follow the show at 9:30 p.m.

The general admission entrance is at Kentucky Ave. Ticket holders for Zone 1 and Zone 2 will find a special entry by Michigan Ave. Handicapped entry is between Park and Michigan Aves.

More Atlantic City

Lewis Black will be performing two shows in Atlantic City. Black brings his angry, ranting comedy to the Borgata on Friday at 8 p.m. and again on Saturday at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $75 to $85.

Jerry Seinfeld will showcase his observational humor on Saturday at the Borgata at 8 p.m. Tickets cost between $95 and $155.

Tall ship and historical seafaring enthusiasts will want to visit the A.J. Meerwald while it docks in Atlantic City’s Gardner’s Basin for a 10 day stretch beginning Friday. The 115 foot restored two-masted, gaff-rigged oyster schooner is the state’s official tall ship and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1995.

On board, folks can learn more about sailing and help the crew hoist sails during two and a half hour public sails. The sails are offered both in the afternoon and evening. A discounted Family Sail is available on Saturday mornings. On Saturday and Tuesday, the Atlantic City Aquarium staff brings live marine animals for visitors to touch and feel as part of the ship’s Critter Sail.

Kids ages 10 to 16 can take part in the seven-hour Sailor For A Day camp, where they’ll learn navigation, knot tying, sail theory and other nautical skills. The cost is $70 and children must bring their own packed lunch. Reservations and sailing times available online. Thursday, July 31 to Sunday, August 10 – Gardner’s Basin, Atlantic City, NJ.

Beach Haven

Did you know that there are four species of seals that winter along the New Jersey coastline between November and April?

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center will hold their all ages Seals of New Jersey education program in Beach Haven this Friday. Attendees can learn about harbor, gray, harp and hooded seals. Admission is free. Friday, August 1, 1 p.m. – New Jersey Maritime Museum, 528 Dock Rd., Beach Haven, NJ.

Cape May

Sure, social media is one way for proud parents to show off adorable offspring, but in person is still a fine alternative. Cape May provides that opportunity this Friday with its 82nd Annual Baby Parade. Cute kids will parade from Congress St. to Howard St. at 11 a.m. Afterwards, awards for Pretty Baby, Fancy Dress, Comic Dress, Decorated Carriage, Decorated Wheels and Best Float will be handed out at a ceremony in the Cape May Convention Hall. Friday, August 1, 11 a.m. (rain date August 2) -Congress St., Cape May, NJ.

Ocean City

One of the more oddball events to happen at the shore each year is Ocean City’s Miss Crustacean Beauty Pageant. Now in its 41st year, the beauty competition for hermit crabs – yes, hermit crabs – returns on Wednesday. Decorated hermit crabs will vie for the prized Cucumber Rind Cup and a chance to sashay down a tiny red carpeted catwalk. There will be no scholarships awarded at this event. 

Immediately following the pageant, crawling crustacean jocks will compete in Hermit Crab Races for the King of Klutz plaque. Wednesday, August 6, 1 p.m. – 6th Street Beach, Ocean City, NJ.

Philadelphia’s own bluesy alt hip-hop band, G. Love & Special Sauce will be performing in Ocean City on Monday. The original members of the band reunited to record a new album, Sugar, which was released this spring. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of their debut self-titled album. Tickets are $35 and sold through Ticketmaster. Monday, Aug 4, 7:30 p.m., Ocean City Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk, Ocean City, NJ.