The New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention includes a large display of fire equipment next to the Wildwoods Convention Center. (Photo courtesy of Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority)
Thousands of firefighters and their families from all 21 New Jersey counties will be in the Wildwoods on Sept. 12-13 for the 140th annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention, including a grand parade of fire trucks.
This year marks the 50th anniversary the convention will be held in the Wildwoods – with events planned in Wildwood, Wildwood Crest and North Wildwood.
The convention will be held on Friday, Sept. 12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 13, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Fire equipment vendors from the East Coast will display the latest fire equipment in the Wildwoods Convention Center parking lots as part of the fire expo.
There will also be vendors of fire-related products – often described as the largest exposition of its kind east of the Mississippi River – in Fox Park across from the convention center.
Another major highlight during the convention weekend will be the N.J. Firefighters Memorial Parade – a grand procession of gleaming fire trucks and apparatus that traditionally serves as a family favorite.
The parade will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 2 p.m. along New Jersey Avenue in Wildwood, from Cresse Avenue in Wildwood Crest, proceeding north to 21st Avenue in North Wildwood.
In addition, the Wildwood Crest Firefighters Weekend Craft Show at Sunrise Park in Wildwood Crest will be held 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13.
For additional information on the craft show, call 609-523-0202 or visit www.WildwoodCrest.org.
On Sunday, Sept. 14, the Wildwood Fire Company Annual Fire Muster will be held in the grassy circle in front of the Wildwoods Convention Center. There will be a large display of antique fire engines dating from the early 1900s. Fire equipment and fire trucks from Pennsylvania and New Jersey and local fire apparatus will be on display. For more information, call 609-675-3595 or visit www.clafaa.org.
Sunday morning will also feature the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at 9 a.m. inside the Wildwoods Convention Center. Participants will climb steps with family members, friends and neighbors to honor the fallen who made the ultimate sacrifice on Sept. 11, 2001.
The Memorial Stair Climb is presented by MudHen Brewing Company and the Firemen’s Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA) Local 50. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, email [email protected] or visit www.wildwoodfmba50.com.
The weekend will begin with three remembrance ceremonies throughout the island on Thursday, Sept. 11, to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
For more information on the New Jersey State Fireman's Convention, call 800-852-0137 or visit NJ State Firemen's Association. For more information on the parade or outside vendor opportunities, visit www.NJFireExpo.com.
