Thousands Of Firefighters To Descend On Jersey Shore For Annual Convention

THE WILDWOODS, NJ — Thousands of firefighters and their families will descend on the Wildwoods during the second week of September for the 140th Annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention.

This year marks 50 years of this event being held in the Wildwoods, according to the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA).

Fire equipment vendors from the East Coast will display the latest Fire Apparatus in the Wildwoods Convention Center parking lots as part of the NJ Fire Expo. In addition to the apparatus, there will be vendors of fire-related products – often described as the largest exposition of its kind east of the Mississippi – in Fox Park, across from the Convention Center. The NJ Fire Expo takes place on Sept. 12 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sept. 13 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

One of the highlights and main attractions during Firemen’s Weekend is the NJ Firefighter’s Memorial Parade – a procession of firetrucks and apparatus/equipment. This year’s parade will be held on Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. along New Jersey Avenue, from Cresse Avenue in Wildwood Crest, proceeding north to 21st Avenue in North Wildwood.

In addition, the Wildwood Crest Firefighters’ Weekend Craft Show at Sunrise Park in Wildwood Crest will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 12, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 13. For additional information on the Craft Show, please call 609-523-0202 or visit www.WildwoodCrest.org.

On Sept. 14, the Wildwood Fire Company Annual Fire Muster will be held in the grassy circle in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center. There will be a large display of old antique fire engines dating from the early 1900s to today. Fire equipment and fire trucks from Pennsylvania and New Jersey and local fire apparatus will be on display. For more information, call 609-675-3595 or visit www.clafaa.org.

Sunday morning will also feature the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at 9 a.m. inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. Participants will climb 110 stories with families, friends, and neighbors to honor the fallen who made the ultimate sacrifice on 9/11/01. Remember the heroes, their legacy, and their family sacrifice with every step. Presented by MudHen Brewing Company and the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA) Local 50. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, email fmba50609@yahoo.com or visit www.wildwoodfmba50.com.

The weekend will begin with three remembrance ceremonies throughout the island on Thursday, Sept. 11, to honor those who lost their lives in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

• North Wildwood’s September 11th Commemoration service will be held at the 15th Street Fire Station, location at 15th and Central Avenues, at 8:40 a.m.
• Downtown Wildwood’s 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony will be held at Byrne Plaza, 3400 Pacific Avenue, at 1 p.m.
• Wildwood Crest’s 9/11 Memorial Service will be held at Alameno Park, New Jersey and Miami Avenues, at 5:30 p.m.

For more information on the New Jersey State Fireman’s Convention, call 800-852-0137 or visit www.njsfa.com. For more information on the parade or outside vendor opportunities, visit www.NJFireExpo.com.

For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.