Ocean unlocked in Wildwood and Ocean City
OCEAN CITY, N.J. (WPVI) -- You can't start the summer season without unlocking the ocean, of course!
The New Jersey shore towns of Wildwood and Ocean City both held ceremonies on Friday morning to kick off the unofficial start of summer.
In Wildwood, more than 300 elementary school students were there to help turn the giant key.
Some Philadelphia history was also present, as Ben Franklin himself was there to 'light up' the ceremony, with key and kite in hand.
Meanwhile, in Ocean City, the beach was unlocked along the 9th Street Beach.
O.C. is also celebrating being named the Best Beach in America by Coastal Living Magazine!
The event culminated with the Business Person's Plunge, with folks jumping into the still-frigid water with their works clothes on!
Plenty of beach-goers there to help celebrate, kicking off their summer a little bit early.
"We always go down to Ocean City, that's kind of our go-to beach and it's close by, so we jumped on our opportunity for the first nice day to enjoy the sunshine," said Erin Briggs of Vineland.
"We came down yesterday to beat the crowds coming in, we're going to stay until probably late Sunday," said Gary Smith of Gettysburg.
And when it comes to the shore - everyone has their favorite treat.
"I like fried pickles, fried Oreos," said Luis Ruiz of Pilesgrove.
"You can't come to the shore without getting Manco and Manco pizza or Johnson's popcorn," said Dave Koerner of Glassboro.
Whatever your vice may be, businesses on Ocean City's Boardwalk are banking on folks getting their fix this holiday weekend... at least on Saturday and Sunday!
"It's all about the weather. If it's raining people are not going to come out and walk the boardwalk. But that's not going to be the case this weekend!" said Joanne Quinn of The Original Fudge Kitchen.
If you're in Ocean City for the whole weekend, the city's official Memorial Day observance will be held Monday at 11am at Veterans Memorial Park.
