'Project X' Pop-Up Party Causes Alarm At Jersey Shore

WILDWOOD, NJ — Another unsanctioned "pop-up" party is being planned for Wildwood this summer, but authorities vow they won't let it happen.

A screenshot of a TikTok post saying that "Project X in Wildwood" would be held July 12, the same weekend as the annual Jeep Invasion. The original TikTok post appears to have since been deleted and the original poster, "projectx.ac," made a new post saying that the party is canceled.

Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey Sutherland and Wildwood Police Chief Joseph Murphy issued a joint statement acknowledging the plans and noted that it was not sanctioned or authorized by any local authorities.

"We are fully aware of the risks that these unsanctioned ‘Pop-Up’ parties pose to public safety, including crowd control issues, the potential for violence, and the strain they place on our law enforcement resources," Sutherland said. "We are actively working to identify the individuals behind the promotion of this event and will pursue every legal avenue to prevent it from taking place."

It was in 2022 that an unsanctioned car rally in Wildwood turned deadly. Hundreds of cars came to Wildwood after being kicked out of Ocean City, Maryland for the Sept. 24, 2022 unsanctioned H2oi rally. It ended with numerous injuries and two people dead. Read more: Driver Who Hit Family In Golf Cart In Wildwood Rally Avoids Jail

The TikTok post used the poster for the 2012 movie "Project X," which follows a group of teenagers who throw a party that grows out of control.

Both the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office and Wildwood Police Department urge anyone with information about the event or the individuals responsible for promoting it to come forward. Tips can be reported anonymously to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office or the Wildwood Police Department.

"We will not tolerate any illegal gatherings that disrupt the safety and well-being of the residents of Cape May County, visitors, and law enforcement personnel," Sutherland said.