This Weekend in the Wildwoods Sept 18th – 20th

This Weekend in the Wildwoods Sept 18th – 20th

If you thought things were going to slow down in the Wildwoods after summer, think again.

This weekend, September 18 through 20, is shaping up to be one of the busiest weekends of the fall season, with thousands of firefighters coming to town, country music in North Wildwood, Oktoberfest celebrations on the Boardwalk, a Hispanic Heritage celebration, craft vendors, a unique Boardwalk run and a moving tribute to the heroes of September 11.

Here is everything happening in the Wildwoods this weekend.

NJ State Firefighter’s Convention, Fire Expo & Parade

One of the biggest events of the weekend is the return of the New Jersey State Firefighter’s Convention, NJ Fire Expo and Firefighter’s Memorial Parade.

The convention takes over the Wildwoods Convention Center on Friday and Saturday, September 18 and 19, bringing firefighters and fire companies from across New Jersey and surrounding states to the island.

This marks the 51st consecutive year the event has been held in the Wildwoods.

Inside the Convention Center, the 149th New Jersey State Firefighter’s Association Convention will feature meetings, seminars and voting, while outside, visitors will find one of the most impressive collections of fire apparatus you’ll see in one place.

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Fire trucks and equipment will be displayed around the Convention Center parking lots, with additional vendors and displays across the street at Fox Park.

The highlight for the public comes Saturday afternoon with the New Jersey State Firefighters Memorial Parade.

The parade steps off at 2 p.m. Saturday from Cresse and New Jersey Avenues before traveling north along New Jersey Avenue to 21st Avenue.

Fire companies will participate in the parade and compete for awards, with an awards ceremony scheduled for Saturday evening at the Convention Center.

Boots at the Beach Returns to North Wildwood

If country music is more your speed, grab your cowboy boots and head to North Wildwood.

Boots at the Beach returns Friday and Saturday, September 18 and 19, at Seaport Pier, located at 22nd Avenue and the Boardwalk.

The two-day country music festival brings live performances, line dancing, food, drinks and vendors selling Western apparel, crafts and other merchandise.

The festival has become another great fall tradition in North Wildwood, combining live country music with an oceanfront setting right on the Boardwalk.

Tickets will be available at the entrance to Seaport Pier during the event.

Oktoberfest Takes Over the Wildwood Boardwalk

This weekend also marks the beginning of Oktoberfest season in the Wildwoods.

Morey’s Piers Oktoberfest officially begins Friday, September 18, at Mariner’s Pier and continues on select weekends through October 11.

Mariner’s Pier will be transformed for the celebration with German-inspired food, live entertainment, Oktoberfest decorations and, of course, plenty of beer.

Unlike a traditional beer festival, Morey’s combines Oktoberfest with the rides and games of the Wildwood Boardwalk, making this an event the entire family can enjoy.

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MudHen Brewing Company is getting in on the Oktoberfest celebrations as well.

MudHen Oktoberfest runs September 18 through 20 with a full weekend of entertainment. Friday features Doppelgänger from 5-9 p.m., while Saturday includes face painting, an Oktoberfest polka band, circus performers and Polkadelphia. Doppelgänger returns Sunday from 1-5 p.m.

Wildwood Crest Firefighters’ Weekend Craft Show

Down in Wildwood Crest, Sunrise Park will fill with dozens of craft vendors for the annual Wildwood Crest Firefighters’ Weekend Craft Show.

The show takes place at Sunrise Park at Rambler Road and Ocean Avenue.

Vendors will be open Friday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Admission is free.

With the Firefighter’s Convention taking place just up the road in Wildwood, this has become another tradition tied to Firefighters’ Weekend on the island.

La Fiesta Hispana Returns to Byrne Plaza

Downtown Wildwood will celebrate Hispanic culture Saturday with the fourth annual La Fiesta Hispana Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

The free event takes place at Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Avenue, from 2-7 p.m. Saturday, September 19.

Visitors can expect live music, food, children’s activities, local vendors and entertainment throughout the afternoon.

Admission is completely free.

Morey’s Boardwalk Bier Run

There aren’t too many races where stopping for a beer is part of the course, but this is Wildwood.

The annual Morey’s Boardwalk Bier Run takes place Saturday, September 19, beginning at 5 p.m.

The approximately two-mile course starts at PigDog Beach and heads north along the beach toward Surfside Pier.

Participants make their first beverage stop at Curley’s at 26th Avenue and the Boardwalk before continuing south along the Boardwalk, passing Mariner’s Pier and heading onto Adventure Pier for another refreshment.

The final stretch takes participants back onto the beach and toward PigDog.

At the finish line, runners receive a commemorative stein filled with a celebratory bier along with a giant soft pretzel. Live music and Oktoberfest festivities continue after the run.

Wildwood 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

The weekend concludes Sunday morning with one of the most meaningful events on the calendar.

The Wildwood 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb takes place Sunday, September 20, inside the Wildwoods Convention Center.

Beginning at 9 a.m., participants will climb the equivalent of 110 stories, representing the height of the World Trade Center towers.

The event honors the firefighters, police officers, first responders and civilians who lost their lives during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Families, friends, firefighters and members of the community are invited to participate and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

The event is presented by MudHen Brewing Company and FMBA Local 50.

Walk-ins are welcome.

Hopefully we will see you on the beach!