OCEAN COUNTY – The summer isn’t technically over and neither is the tourism season. Even after Labor Day weekend.
That is the message Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari and his fellow members of the Board of Freeholders want to get out. With the late summer weather offering water Ocean County’s tourism businesses are welcoming residents and visitors alike.
Vicari said, “Labor Day is not the end of the summer. This year more than ever the season is being extended throughout September and into October.”
The Freeholder Director who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Office of Business Development and Tourism said, “several oceanfront towns have already announced that they will keep their beaches open and guarded into September.”
“Locals have long known that our beaches are the best in September, with warm clean water from Point Pleasant Beach to Holgate,” Vicari added.
Governor Phil Murphy’s decision to reopen restaurants as of September 4 means diners can also experience something that was lacking all summer – an indoor meal.
“Restaurants and businesses are open, the beaches are clean and the extended forecast for September looks great. Summer is still here in Ocean County,” Vicari added.
Vicari urged those heading for a municipal beach check with the town first for updates on the status of lifeguards and whether beach badges are required.
Seaside Heights and the Ortley Beach section of Toms River Township will keep lifeguards and beach badge checkers on duty during September weekends past Labor Day.
Officials from both towns have said they will reevaluate their plans depending on crowd size following the holiday weekend.
Vicari said he expects many tourism businesses to remain open for the month as well.
Area realtors have already said that September rentals are higher than usual and more on par with a typical July or August.
“This is an opportunity for our Mom and Pop businesses to make up some of the money they lost to COVID-19. An extended season benefits everyone,” he added.
Also noted that with the lessening of some COVID-19 restrictions, movie theaters and other indoor entertainment venues are also reopening with limited capacity.
Other traditional summer events, such as the Surf City Farmer’s Market, have already extended their season through September.
Vicari said tourism is a $5 billion industry in Ocean County and the cog of the local economy.
“Tourism helps keep our taxes low and employs our friends and neighbors,” he said.
He also pointed out that a full listing of September and October events is available at oceancountytourism.com.
