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Hear Philly: The Shore Thing: Blues, BBQ and Globetrotters Invade The Wildwood Beaches, Boardwalk

By Andrew Kramer

WILDWOOD, N.J. (CBS) - Things always heat up down the shore in July, and in the Wildwoods there's no exception. Right after July 4th weekend, in fact, is one of their largest events of the summer.

"The Barbecue and Blues Festival has grown into one of our biggest events," says John Siciliano with the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority

He says barbecuers from all over come to town to compete:

"The sights, the sounds and the smells that come out of North wildwood that weekend is pretty awesome, and some really well-known barbecuers, so you get some really good food, and then at the same time the Anglesea Blues Festival is going on, so you've got the blues music happening, the great food -- pulled pork, ribs, brisket, corn on the cob."

The BBQ and Blues Festival takes place July 10-12. The winners get to participate in the national BBQ championships.

Later in the month, it's the Ultimate Beach Frisbee Tournament - one of Wildwoods best kept secrets according to Siciliano:

"This tournament brings mostly college aged Frisbee players, to the tune of about 4,000 of them that come in and compete on the beaches. It's unbelievable; we're just blessed with the ability to do events of this size."

That event soars into Wildwood July 25th and 26th. A few days later on July 28th is one of Wildwoods oldest traditions

"The Baby Parade is exactly what it sounds like," says Siciliano. "Moms and dads and their newborns up to maybe four or five years old, dress the kids up and we have the parade."

Recently added, Siciliano says, is the baby waddle:

"That's for really infants and it's on a canvas mat and they have a race from the outside of the canvas mat to the center. The first baby that crawls in wins, and then, that afternoon, we have the Wildwood Baby Parade."

This year's parade grand marshals...none other than the Harlem Globetrotters, who Siciliano says will stay for several days after, putting on shows at night and roaming the town during the day:

"We've put together a four-night event with them where we have one game at night, and during the day, in the morning, there's basketball clinics that we do in the Convention Center. So you can get your child into the clinics the Harlem Globetrotters put on, then at night, we have the four different nights where we have the Globetrotter's show."

This all takes place July 29th through August 1st.

For more information on all Wildwoods events go to www.wildwoodsnj.com.

Or CLICK HERE to learn more about all events taking place throughout the Jersey Shore this summer.

Listen to podcasts any time at hearphilly.com.

Follow hearPHILLY on Twitter: @hearPHILLYradio.

 

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