Firefighters to Descend on Wildwood for the 50th Annual New Jersey Fire Expo
Every September, long after the last beachgoers have packed up their umbrellas, the streets of Wildwood roar back to life with the sirens, ladders, and polished chrome of hundreds of fire engines.
It is the New Jersey Fire Expo, one of the largest gatherings of firefighters and fire service vendors in the nation, and this year marks the 50th anniversary of its presence at the Jersey Shore.
The Expo, organized by the Five Mile Beach Volunteer Firemen’s Association and timed to coincide with the New Jersey State Firemen’s Association Convention, has grown into a sprawling, three-day showcase that attracts tens of thousands of visitors.
Rows of gleaming fire apparatus line New Jersey Avenue, while vendors from across the country display everything from turnout gear to cutting-edge rescue tools.
For many firefighters, the trip has become a rite of passage, a weekend that blends fraternity, remembrance, and celebration.
A Schedule Rooted in Tradition
The weekend begins on Friday, Sept. 12, when the exhibit area opens at 8 a.m. Firefighters and their families wander through endless displays of trucks and equipment, while a craft show happens at Sunrise Park in Wildwood Crest.
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The displays remain open until 6 p.m., drawing not just first responders but also residents curious to climb aboard the towering rigs.
On Saturday, Sept. 13, the exhibits reopen in the morning, closing at 1 p.m. to make way for the event’s centerpiece: the Firemen’s Memorial Parade.
At 2 p.m., engines, marching bands, and honor guards set off north along New Jersey Avenue, beginning in Wildwood Crest and rolling past thousands of spectators who line the sidewalks.
With more than 300 apparatus participating, the procession can last more than four hours, a living pageant of the state’s firefighting history and its modern capability.
The final day, Sunday, Sept. 14, is devoted to reflection and heritage. At 9 a.m., the Wildwood Fire Company hosts its annual muster, a display of antique fire engines and historic equipment.
Firefighters to Descend on Wildwood for the 50th Annual New Jersey Fire Expo
Inside the Wildwoods Convention Center, participants climb the equivalent of 110 stories during the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, a somber tribute to the firefighters who lost their lives in New York City.
Even before the official opening, the community pauses to remember. On Thursday, Sept. 11, memorial ceremonies are held across the island: at the 15th Street Fire Station in North Wildwood, at Byrne Plaza in Wildwood, and at Alameno Park in Wildwood Crest.
These gatherings, often marked by quiet moments of silence, set the tone for a weekend that balances revelry with reverence.
Will you be in the Wildwoods for 50th Annual New Jersey Fire Expo? If so, send us some photos at WildwoodVideoarchive@gmail.com