Skip to content
Entertainment
Link copied to clipboard

International Kite Festival and other great things to do Down the Shore over Memorial Day weekend

Need something to do this weekend down the shore? We got you covered.

The International Kite Festival takes place Memorial Day weekend in Wildwood
The International Kite Festival takes place Memorial Day weekend in WildwoodRead moreInternal Kite Festival

» READ MORE: Unlocking of the Ocean and Business Persons’ Plunge

Last year, Ocean City survived its first summer in 45 years without public relations director Mark Soifer. This year, America's self-proclaimed "greatest family resort" returns to the signature shenanigans of the beloved octogenarian. It all starts with an invitation to businessfolk to take a half-day Friday and go full-suited into the ocean to the start to the weekend that unofficially starts summer.

Noon Friday, beach at Moorlyn Terrace, Ocean City. Free, oceancityvacation.com.

» READ MORE: International Kite Festival

About 200 handmade kites and their flyers are expected to participate in this kite festival. Now in its 32nd year, the four-day event begins Friday night on the beach with an illuminated "Nite Kite Show." ("Bring your strobes and your spotlights," organizers say.) Spectators will spot six-sided fighting Rokkakus. Novices can glean tips. Sweet teeth can grab candy that falls from the sky in the famous "Candy Drop." On Monday, the World Indoor Kite Competition goes on inside the Wildwood Convention Center, no wind necessary.

9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, beach at Rio Grande Avenue and Wildwoods Convention Center, 4501 Boardwalk. Free, skyfestivals.com.

» READ MORE: Atlantic Brass Band

Brigantine and Cape May have invited this area ensemble — all volunteers — to begin summer with a brassy blast. Atlantic Brass has won a number of national competitions, including the last two North American Brass Band Championship. Under the baton of Salvatore Scarpa, the group will bring patriotic favorites to the stage and rotunda, respectively.

7 p.m. Saturday, Brigantine North School, 301 E. Evans Blvd., Brigantine. Free, brigantinechamber.com. 7 p.m. Sunday, Rotary Bandstand, 400 Lafayette St., Cape May. Free, capemaymac.org.

» READ MORE: KC and the Sunshine Band at the Music Pier

If you'd really like to give Uncle Joe and Aunt Viv a taste of their disco days, you'll spring for tickets for them to see the 1970s masters of funky disco. Founder Harry Wayne Casey still leads the boys in the band — and still keeps the hits coming — because (wait for it) that's the way, uh-huh, uh-huh, we like it.

7:30 p.m. Sunday, Music Pier, Moorlyn Terrace and the Boardwalk, Ocean City. $75, oceancityvacation.com.

» READ MORE: ShopRite LPGA Classic

Since 1986, this tournament has been the reason fewer golf fans enjoy South Jersey's beaches on Memorial Day. They've been watching and/or volunteering at the ShopRite LPGA Classic. Monday and Tuesday will welcome several dozen of the world's top female pros for practice rounds on the par 71 Bay Course at Stockton, designed in 1914  by Merion designer Hugh Wilson. Wednesday and Thursday bring Pro-Am rounds. The competition — look for Anna Nordqvist to attempt a three-peat — is to take place next Friday to Sunday, and that's when tickets cost $15 per day. For this week, however, the sporting event is absolutely free to attend.

Monday-June 4, Stockton Seaview Hotel & Golf Club, 401 S. New York Rd., Galloway. Free, shopritelpgaclassic.com.