Sea Isle City to Host Annual Skimmer Weekend
Get ready for the big summer kick-off celebration in Sea Isle City known as “Skimmer Weekend”! This year’s annual event, hosted by the Sea Isle City Division of Tourism, will be held June 14-15, 2025.
On Saturday, a Seaside Vendor Market will be held along the oceanfront Promenade, where shoppers can find crafts and collectibles, jewelry and accessories, gifts and souvenirs, toys and games, and much more. A Food Court will be set up along Excursion Park at JFK Boulevard featuring locally-crafted gourmet items and other fun delicacies. In addition to free amusement rides in Excursion Park, families will find plenty of kids’ games and activities, including face painting, a photo booth, art bar, sand and balloon art. Entertainment will be provided by The Brass Pocket Band from 10:00 am – 3:00 pm.
The Book Nook (located on the Promenade at 3700 Boardwalk, will be hosting author Kimberly Brighton who will be signing copies of books from her Cape May series (“The Way to Cape May”, “A Cape May Kind of Love” and “Cape May Ever After”) for those who are seeking a lighthearted, rom-com beach read featuring characters from the Philly area who go down the shore seeking their own unique versions of happily ever after in both love and career. With scenes set in actual Philly/shore venues, readers have delighted in these local reads
Sunday’s activities include an Antique Auto Show along the promenade, featuring vintage and classic cars, from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm, followed by an awards presentation. At 1:30 pm, an antique auto parade will begin on 44th and Pleasure, proceed south down Pleasure to 93rd, then north on Landis from 93rd to JFK Boulevard. Free Guided Historical Trolley Tours, led by the Sea Isle City Historical Society, will be offered on Sunday every half-hour from Excursion Park from 10:00 am to 12:30 pm.
Skimmer Weekend was first held in June 1963 to commemorate the beginning of the summer season. It was designed to attract visitors to Sea Isle after the Storm of 1962 devastated much of Ludlam Island, including Sea Isle. The weekend is named after the Skimmer hat. Once popular in the 1800’s and 1900’s, these straw boating hats feature a flat top, a wide brim, and ribbons of red and blue. Don’t be surprised if you see some folks wearing them that weekend.
Here are the details about Skimmer Weekend events:
Saturday
Seaside Vendor Market – Promenade, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Amusement Rides – Excursion Park, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Kids Activities – Excursion Park, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Music by Brass Pocket Band – Excursion Park, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Sunday
Antique Auto Show – Promenade, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Music by Snake Brothers Band – Promenade at JFK, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Auto Show Awards – Promenade at JFK, 1:00 pm
Antique Auto Show Parade – Begins at 44th and Pleasure, 1:30 pm
