Families head to the Jersey shore for Memorial Day weekend
With the turn of a giant key in the sand, the ocean was unlocked for the season.
OCEAN CITY, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Memorial Day weekend is in full swing at the Jersey shore.
It may be on the chilly side, but the Ocean City boardwalk was packed with crowds on Friday night.
Earlier in the day, a turn of a giant key in the sand officially unlocked the beach for the fun season ahead.
The Business Persons Plunge followed, sending people - many in costume - into the chilly water to mark the unofficial start to summer.
"I love the summer. It's two weeks until my birthday and I just felt like being crazy today. So here we are," said Jenny Rudan of Conshohocken, Pa. moments after plunging into the ocean.
For shore businesses, it means the start of their busy season.
"It means we welcome back our seasonal visitors and they're the people that make our economy grow," said Pat Logue of the Anchor Group, Berkshire Hathaway, who was dressed as King Triton. "That's why all the local businesspeople are out here."
"It rained every weekend coming up," said Doug Jewell, owner of Air Circus toy shop. "We had a couple good days. Easter was good, Mother's Day. Now the summer's started. Beach is open!"
In Sea Isle City, it may be breezy along the promenade and the beach, but that's not stopping families from making a splash in the water or enjoying time with one another.
"It's a little chilly but it's nice, the suns out," said Laura Tartaglio, of Downingtown.
For the folks who got an early start to the weekend, they made sure to take some time for a quick snooze on the beach. But a sunny day at the shore definitely calls for some ice cream at Springer's in Stone Harbor.
And some kids are already looking forward to Saturday.
"So we're going fishing. I'm trying to catch the flounder and I'm trying to catch a big shark," said Tommy Kuchera, of Fort Washington.
