Jersey Shore Events for the Weekend of September 9-11

Labor Day marks the official end of the summer, but unofficially the Jersey Shore can enjoy many more weeks of fun in the sun! Especially after all the disruption caused by Hurricane Irene, we encourage everybody to go back to the shore since all the local small businesses need you to recover and make it through the winter! Fortunately, there are many events coming up this weekend, so here’s what you can do if you go down the shore:

Saturday and Sunday you have the Cape May Kite Festival, with kite flying exhibitions, kite making, races and games. There will be plenty of children, adult and family activities on Beach Ave at Jackson St.

Also Saturday & Sunday it’s the Annual Irish Festival in Ship Bottom with bagpipe bands, vendors, crafts, food, Beer Garden, and step-dancers at the Waterfront Park. Sat 11am-9pm, Sun 10am-5pm.

Near the LBI, Tuckerton Seaport will host the 12th Annual Antique & Classic Boat Show: 2 splendid days of classic wood and glass boat exhibitors, demonstrations, workshops, vendors, food, refreshments, entertainment. You can sign up for boat building class or take a cruise up the Tuckerton “Crik”. 11am-4pm Saturday and Sunday.

In Seaside Heights, a full weekend begins with the Boardwalk Bed Race. A fun-filled Friday night with a bed race competition among our local businesses. The race begins at 6pm at the Franklin Avenue Stage, free to all spectators.

Saturday it’s Shamrock Fest on the Boardwalk between the two amusement piers, a celebration of Irish Heritage. Shop around Irish craft & Irish retail vendors! 10am-6pm.

Sunday it’s another festival: Seafood in Seaside, 10am-7pm. Seafood Festival with food vendors, artists, and live entertainment on Grant Ave.

Friday to Sunday it’s also the Asbury Park Oysterfest 2011, one of Asbury’s biggest festivals, stretching over three days and turning water-lined Lake Avenue into one long funway of oysters, restaurant samplings and non-stop music. With children’s rides and amusements, over 100 crafters and gift vendors, cold beer and wine stops, Oysterfest connects Asbury’s two exciting shopping & dining districts: the downtown and beautiful oceanfront boardwalk.

And if you’re in town on Saturday, you could attend  the 9th Annual Asbury Park Mayor’s Ball at the Grand Arcade in the Convention Hall. The fundraising gala will bring together a who’s who of “movers and shakers” from the Northeast region for an elegant evening of dining, dancing, entertainment, scholarships and awards. 6pm cocktail hour, 7pm dinner.

Friday to Sunday, North Wildwood hosts the 42nd Annual Surf Fishing Tournament. Registration at 3rd & JFK Blvd Gazebo. There are adult and youth divisions, prizes. Participant fee $10. Fri 7am-8pm, Sat 6am-8pm, Sun 6am-11:45am.

Next door in Wildwood, beginning on Thursday and ending on Sunday it’s the Roar to the Shore Motorcycle Rally. One of the largest motorcycle rallies in the Northeast. Daily vendors, live entertainment and activities surrounding the Wildwoods Convention Center and at Oak and Atlantic Avenues. 10am-10pm daily.

Also a 4-day event, Thursday to Sunday, it’s the Atlantic City In-Water Power Boat Show, the premier boat show in the Northeast & Mid-Atlantic region, and the 1st major show of the fall show season. Over 700 motor and express yachts, sport fisherman, trawlers and sport boats from 18 to 85 feet will be on display.

If you’re looking to rent a house at the shore, check out ShoreVacations.com, Jersey Shore’s biggest vacation rentals resource. It lists hundreds of rental homes and condos from Sandy Hook all the way down to Cape May (including Belmar, Point Pleasant, Seaside Heights, Ocean City, Long Beach Island, Atlantic City or the Wildwoods). It’s a one-stop website for planning your Jersey Shore vacation, featuring beach information, weather updates and more! And of course, it has a full list of all the Jersey Shore events this year.