Memorial Day weekend begins

OCEAN CITY - May 23, 2008 You've got a great forecast and an extra day off – it makes a perfect formula for a great weekend at the shore.

The mood here is pretty upbeat as the unofficial start to summer kicks off.

The boardwalk is finally filled after what seems like months of hibernation. Summer may not be officially here yet, but it sure feels like its made a grand entrance.

So what is it about the shore and the lights of the boardwalk that makes this such a great summer escape?

"You feel safe here and it's nice and clean," Vince Grisafi of Berwyn, Pa. said.

The late evening boardwalk crowd wasn't the first sign that the shore season has started; there were potential Wings recruits at a local park pleased to be out of the classroom for a few days.

Businesses are enjoying the weather as much as the visitors.

They will be enjoying this long weekend because the forecast is expected to be great, as will be the mood.