America's birthday weekend began with a bang, with spectators dressed in red, white and blue gathering for a pre-fireworks concert in Stone Harbor. Jim Bannach and the BLT Orchestra performed.
Angela Shaw of Ocean City and Bannach's girlfriend said the patriotic atmosphere moved her.
"It's heartwarming. I was raised in a very patriotic family - veterans, my dad was a veteran. It just brings tears to your eyes," she said.
For Nancy Stutzman, who shares a birthday with the nation, the holiday has long been a special tradition. And for her husband, Tom Stutzman of Williamsport, it allows for an easy birthday gift!
"I always got her the fireworks and the band," he said.
Nancy Stutzman recalled celebrating the country's bicentennial decades ago.
"It's great, I remember years ago when we celebrated 200 in Williamsport - there was a huge parade and we had just gotten married," she said.
In Wildwood, the boardwalk's nostalgic pull brought back longtime visitors. Angie DeRolf of Mullica Hill returned for the first time in 60 years.
"It's changed a lot for the good," she said.
Despite the heat, crowds continued to grow through the afternoon. David Fessler of Wildwood said he expects the holiday to get even busier.
"It's gonna be a crazy weekend. Got fireworks going off all over the place tonight, tomorrow. Parking, oh my God, we had to park I don't even know how many blocks," he said.
For one couple, July 3 turned out to be especially memorable. Moments after getting engaged on the Wildwood boardwalk, Gary Bennett and Alicia Galat of Broomall reflected on the significance of the place.
"We both have been going to Wildwood ever since we were kids, even before we met," Galat said.
Fireworks are planned across nearly every shore town on July 4, and with another hot day expected, beaches are likely to be crowded again as celebrations continue.