I hope everyone enjoyed the July Fourth Weekend – including our holiday events, which started on Thursday with the Recreation Office’s second annual Bicycle Decorating Contest at Excursion Park, where dozens of children and their families gathered with a fleet of well-decorated bikes, scooters and wagons. Then, on Friday morning, hundreds of children participated in Sea Isle’s annual Independence Day Junior Olympics competition at Dealy Field, which was sponsored by the city and hosted by volunteers from the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City, who once again did an amazing job organizing the races and distributing medals to the winners.

I want to take this time to thank our friends at the YCSIC for their devotion to this community, because our Junior Olympics event would not be possible without their support and dedication. –Thank you, Yacht Club of Sea Isle City!

In addition to the popular activities that launched the long holiday weekend, Sea Isle’s annual July Fourth Fireworks Display capped off Independence Day with a bang (literally and figuratively). Afterwards, I received many comments from people who felt that this year’s pyrotechnic show was a huge success – and I was very grateful to receive all that positive feedback. Hopefully, everyone had a chance to enjoy the “rocket’s red glare,” along with the beautiful weather that also helped make the July Fourth weekend enjoyable!

Even though Independence Day has come and gone, the summer fun is just getting started in Sea Isle City – and there are many great events planned that can help you make this a summer to remember…

For example, are you looking for ways to keep your children occupied and entertained? If so, check out our variety of summer camps and other recreation activities, as well as our lineup of weekly family events, including Beachcomber Guided Tours, Family Fun Nights and Movies Under the Stars.

If you enjoy good music, then don’t miss our Concerts Under the Stars, which spotlight a different tribute band each Saturday evening at the Excursion Park Band Shell.

Are you hungry? If so, remember that Sea Isle City has plenty of terrific restaurants that true “foodies” will enjoy – or you can visit the Chamber of Commerce’s Tuesday morning Farmer’s Market at Excursion Park, where you can buy items that will help you prepare a delicious homemade meal.

Moreover, if your main interest is relaxing, then our beaches are calling your name – because there’s nothing like the feeling of sand between your toes as you recline in a beach chair and watch the world go by.

To learn about the many ways you and your loved ones can enjoy Sea Isle City this summer – and throughout the year – go to www.VisitSICNJ.com or stop by the Welcome Center, where one of our municipal employees will make you feel right at home!

This is the perfect time of year to remind everyone to keep “beach safety” in mind each time you cross the dunes. While we want beachgoers to thoroughly enjoy our beautiful shoreline, it’s also very important to remember the “basics” whenever you hit the sand – including our number one rule: “only enter the water when a lifeguard is present.”

For your convenience and wellbeing, the Sea Isle City Beach Patrol has a webpage devoted to beach safety, which you can find at this link: https://sicbp.com/GeneralBeachSafetyTips

And speaking of safety, I want to thank all our municipal employees who help keep the public safe, year after year, day-in and day-out – including our lifeguards, firefighters, police officers and EMT’s, each of whom worked very hard over the July Fourth Weekend. Please remember that whenever you’re enjoying time here in Sea Isle City – whether you are watching fireworks, frolicking on the beach, walking along the Promenade, or sleeping soundly in your bed at night – these are the people who keep our town safe and secure, and our first responders deserve our thanks!

We have two “Shout Outs” this week. The first goes to the members of the Sea Isle City Police Department, who were kind enough to present me with a customized softball jersey and autographed game ball, which was used during a recent softball game between our local officers and the members of the Vineland Police Department. My thanks go to everyone at the SICPD for their thoughtful gift!

My next “Shout Out” is for Bob Sacunas, who I recently had the pleasure of meeting. While we were speaking, Bob told me how much he loves Sea Isle City and reading our newsletter, and I greatly appreciated his kind words! –Thank you, Bob!

Smile…You’re in Sea Isle!

Mayor Leonard C. Desiderio