Memorial Day weekend: Beaches unlocked in Ocean City; AccuWeather forecast looking good
OCEAN CITY, New Jersey (WPVI) -- The Memorial Day weekend fun is in full swing.
At the Music Pier in Ocean City, officials held a ceremony to officially unlock the ocean. Then people marched into the chilly ocean in all sorts of creative outfits to mark the beginning of summer, many of them from local businesses.
"I love it. This is just a great event to welcome back our seasonal visitors," said Pat Logue of Berkshire Hathaway.
WATCH: Ocean City officially unlocks ocean for Memorial Day weekend
Up on the boardwalk, workers are preparing for a busy weekend.
"It's really busy, you're going back and forth getting orders and stuff," said Estephanie De La Cruz of Frenchy's Fries.
Visitors say they've been waiting for this.
"I feel so excited. This is my favorite time of the year," said Helen Patricia Sloan, of Sicklerville, NJ.
In Sea Isle City, visitors had different reasons for heading down the shore for the long holiday weekend.
"This is like our tradition of getting back together with high school friends. We do this every Memorial Day weekend. We really look forward to it," said one woman.
"I am here with my son and five of his friends and we are celebrating 8th grade graduation and my son's birthday," said Karen Swope, of Skippack, Pa.
But everyone is planning on having a good time.
"We're gonna be at the beach every day and we're going on a boat tomorrow," said Dan Toebar, of Center City Philadelphia.
READ MORE: Here's what's happening down at the Jersey shore this weekend
Holiday travel rush
AAA projects 38.4 million people will travel by car over Memorial Day weekend, the highest number for that holiday since AAA began tracking in 2000.
In our area, AAA estimates about 465,000 people will travel by car to a weekend destination. That's up 4% from last year.
Gas prices are on par with what they were last year, with no surprises at the pump.
And you shouldn't be surprised when you encounter brake lights either.
READ MORE: Jersey Shore ready for beach season | What to know before you go
Experts say 38,000 people are expected to fly this holiday weekend, which is also up 4% from 2023.
The best time to travel, according to AAA, is after 8 p.m. Friday.
If you are leaving Saturday, head out before 1 p.m. or after 6 p.m.
And on Monday, hit the road after 7 p.m. if you can.
Get real-time traffic updates at 6abc.com/traffic
Weekend forecast
Our holiday weekend is looking pretty good with mostly dry conditions until we get to Monday.
SATURDAY: Some early fog then turning partly sunny. Most of the day is dry with an isolated storm later in the evening mainly north and west, high 86.
READ MORE: AccuWeather: Mostly dry for Memorial Day weekend in the Philadelphia area
SUNDAY: It's more humid with partly to mostly sunny skies and a spotty shower possible, especially north and west of the city, high 85.
MONDAY (MEMORIAL DAY): It's the most active day of the holiday weekend with the chance for a few downpours and thunderstorms. A few gusty thunderstorms can't be ruled out, high 78.
Read more on the AccuWeather forecast at: 6abc.com/weather/
Staying in the city? Check out these weekend events
If you aren't headed to the shore the weekend, there are still plenty of things to do.
From beer gardens to Memorial Day festivities, we have compiled a full list of fun. Check it out here.
Along the Delaware River, Spruce Street Harbor Park opened for the season on Friday.
Some arrived early to dance and drink, while others indulged in the sweet and savory food like Bacon on a Stick.
READ MORE: Spruce Street Harbor Park kicks off the summer season with new food and fun on the waterfront
New this year is Little Fish, a restaurant that offers fine seafood dining in Queen Village, but now they're bringing a casual menu to the harbor like a fried fish Banh Mi sandwich and raw oysters.
And Somerset Splits is an ice cream shop from Port Richmond that makes fancy sundaes topped off with marshmallow fluff literally on fire.
The biggest addition this year is the free summer concert series, which features several live musical acts and performers. We caught up with Cosmic Rhythms about the day parties they're throwing every other Saturday.
You can catch Cosmic Rhythms at the park every other Saturday evening starting June 15. The park is also hosting Family Fun Day every Sunday, with crafts and outdoor movies for kids of all ages to enjoy.
The waterfront is open through September 19.
