Latest news with #WildwoodBoardwalk
CBS News
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CBS News
New Jersey businesses hope Barefoot Country Music Festival sets the tone for a slow start to summer
On Wildwood's boardwalk, Crazy J is doing anything he can to attract customers at The Balloon Pop, a small business near the Convention Center. "It has been different, it's actually been a lot slower than usual," he said. "I really believe this year is down 50%, honestly." J says Mother Nature bears the brunt of the blame for what he called a slower-than-usual start to the season. According to CBS Philadelphia's NEXT Weather team, since the beginning of May, there have only been two weekends without rain down the Shore. "It is definitely impacting business because when it's raining and it's cold out and it's wet, nobody really wants to be out here," J said. The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce also tells CBS News Philadelphia that hotel vacancies are up significantly from this time last year. Many business owners are hoping country music can change that. "This is the biggest event we have all year long and it really kicks off our summer," said Ben Rose, the director of marketing and public relations for the Greater Wildwood Tourism Improvement and Development Authority. The Barefoot Country Music Festival kicks off Thursday. The stages were being set in the sand Wednesday for big-name performers like Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, and Jelly Roll. This will mark the festival's fifth year in Wildwood, and organizers signed a new contract to keep the event in the same spot through 2030. "The great thing is we had to beg them to come play this and talk them into it, and now they call us and they want to come and play this because the crowds have been so great," said Bob Durkin, co-founder of Barefoot Country Music Festival. Officials said the festival draws about 40,000 people daily and pumps about $34 million into the economy. Many businesses hope the festival sets the tone for the rest of the season. "I think a lot more people will come out and I think a lot more people enjoy themselves," J said. "We're introducing a lot of new people to the Wildwoods for the first time, and hopefully they like what they see, and they'll come back as visitors," Rose said. Barefoot runs Thursday through Sunday, with Jelly Roll set to perform the last night of the festival.
CBS News
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Truck falls through boardwalk in North Wildwood, New Jersey; photos show broken boards
The Wildwood Boardwalk is damaged after a truck partially fell through Thursday. Photos show the truck after it broke through multiple boards near Surfside Pier on the boardwalk in North Wildwood, New Jersey, between 25th and 26th streets. North Wildwood Mayor Patrick Rosenello said the truck belongs to a contractor who was removing some materials from the boardwalk for the city. Dansdroneshots609 Dansdroneshots609 The boards will be repaired "in the next few days," Rosenello said in an email. The truck has been removed from the scene, he added. Dansdroneshots609 The Wildwood Boardwalk, which opened in the 1890s, was recently voted the best in the United States by USA Today readers. For the first time this year, a hybrid Ford Maverick truck will pull some of its iconic tram cars as part of a pilot program. Dansdroneshots609
CBS News
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- CBS News
Wildwood turns to Ford as the boardwalk revamps iconic tram cars before summer
It is a beloved Jersey Shore icon, and the Sightseer Tram cars will start moving again soon, which is a sign that summer is right around the corner. This year will be the 77th season of the tram cars shuttling families from the amusement piers, waterparks and restaurants in Wildwood. "It's looking to be a great kickoff to the summer season," said Patrick Rosenello, the executive director of the Wildwood Boardwalk Special Improvement District. Rosenello says this year one of the power units pulling the tram will look a bit different. It will still be bright yellow with the same logo, but the driver will be behind the wheel of a hybrid Ford Maverick. CBS Philadelphia "The Ford Maverick hybrid is something we are testing out this summer, seeing how it works, seeing how it holds up in these conditions and whether or not it's something we can look to in the future," Rosenello said. The trams debuted in 1939 at the World's Fair and hit the boards in Wildwood in 1949. Rosenello says in the next five to 10 years the engines will need to be replaced, and the Ford Maverick is a more cost-effective alternative. He says the hybrid gets about 35 miles to the gallon. "Tram cars travel about 48 miles a day, so you do the math, incredibly efficient. So, it's something we are interested in and we're looking forward to trying it out this summer and seeing how it works," Rosenello said. CBS Philadelphia Eight trams run during peak season, but you will only see one Ford Maverick on the boardwalk during the testing period. Reactions were mixed about the new look and possible upgrade to the fleet. "You got to give it a shot really and see what happens," Ted Arlington said. "I don't think it looks appropriate for the team cars it's too big it's not iconic like it's been for years," Pat Hofknecht said. Beginning on May 10, the Sightseer Tram car will operate on Saturdays and Sundays through May 18, starting at noon. The tram car operation will follow the Morey's Piers schedule. The tram cars will offer Memorial Day Weekend service from Thursday, May 22 through Monday, May 26, starting at noon and closing shortly after Morey's Piers close. Beginning on Thursday, May 29, the tram cars will run seven days a week, through Labor Day Weekend, from noon until Morey's Piers close.
