Saturday, September 23rd 11AM-6PM & Sunday, September 24th 11AM-4PM
The 22nd Annual Margate Fall Funfest by the Bay committee will be cancelling the event for this upcoming weekend, September 23rd & 24th, due to Public Safety concerns surrounding upcoming severe weather. The potential of high winds, heavy rain, and possible coastal flooding during the day and evening Saturday and Sunday, have created a situation where Funfest cannot safely operate. The event historically has over 125 vendors and experiences, rows of tents and inflatable attractions, all of which would be greatly impacted by the forecast conditions.
“We are heartbroken to have to cancel our marquee event”, said Ed Berger, President of the Margate Business Association. “We consulted several local meteorologists, local public safety officials and experts, and although none of us wanted to see this happen, we have to think of the safety of the thousands of people that come enjoy and participate in Funfest every year”.
Margate Fall Funfest on the Bay has only been cancelled once in it’s 22 year history.
Margate’s FREE Fall Funfest by The Bay celebrates the beauty of the bay area and the promenade along the water on Amherst Avenue. Now in its 22nd year, brings fresh and exciting family friendly venues for 2023. Over 20,000 visitors attend Margate Fall Funfest, a true celebration of the season, our beautiful bayfront, and the friendly spirit of the people of Margate!
Margate’s marquee event features over 110 booths and amusements comprised of mouthwatering foods, unique fine arts and crafts, Margate retailers, sponsors, nonprofits, Margate City municipal departments, kid’s activities and… that doesn’t even include all the great FREE stuff like 10 Live bands on the WZXL 100.7 Main Stage, 12 acts on the 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage, Ray Scott’s Dock Wetlands Wonderland, two days of parades featuring Miss New Jersey, costumed characters, the 26th Annual Steve and Cookie’s Dog Show, a beer garden, Saturday Cornhole Tournament, Tito’s Handmade Vodka tent and MUCH MORE!
Now in its 22nd year, always FREE admission, Funfest brings fresh and exciting family friendly venues for 2023. Thousands of visitors attend Margate Fall Funfest to enjoy the breathtaking family friendly venue along the beautiful bayfront and promenade, and the friendly spirit of the people of Margate!
FUNFEST AFTER DARK: DEFINITELY NOT FOR KIDS
Saturday, September 23rd from 7:30PM to 10PM
Funfest After Dark Definitely Not for Kids, on Saturday continues the weekend’s fun into the night of the 23rd, from 7:30pm to 10pm at the Washington Ave. pier with live music by NJ British Invasion and a wine and spirits tasting. Funfest After Dark is a special adults-only event. Admission to the tasting and access to the decorated lounge on the Washington Avenue Pier and the featured Tito’s Handmade Vodka tent is $20 (advance ticket purchase) $25 day of and includes 5 samplings of wine & spirits, finger foods provided by Dino’s Subs and Philly Pretzel Factory. The live music performance and dancing in the streets is free for those who just want to groove to the beat of the NJ British Invasion highlighting some of Britian’s greatest exports: The Beatles, Rolling Stones, The Who and The Clash. New this year: Whispering Angel wines will have a BARBIE booth on site during Funfest and After Dark for visitors to get their picture taken inside the pink world of the hit movie.
FOOD & DRINK
Food vendors from throughout the region will be offering savory food selections like Tony Boloney’s uniquely themed subs, California Frozen Yogurt’s refreshing acai bowls, Vagabond’s tequila shrimp bangers, South Jersey Smokehouse barbeque, Philly Pretzels, RSK mini donuts, Tacocat Cal-Mex fare, The Muffin Top Asian and Vietnamese food, Sherris’ Crabcakes, St. Nicholas Greek food, Tin Cup Soda, Tommy D’s funnel cakes, Mad Dog Morgan, Water Dog barbecue, Betty’s Seafood lobster rolls, shrimp boxes, Aneu Kitchen and Catering, and The Other Lucy doughnuts and much more. A beer garden and Tito’s Bloody Mary tent offer plenty of opportunities to quench anyone’s
thirst
KIDS ACTIVITIES
Funfest is loaded with new entertainment and activities including music, games, back-bay nature tours and educational exhibits. 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage will include games and magicians, performing jaw dropping shows with comedy and audience participation. All of this will be in addition to a cartoon character parade, an appearance by Miss New Jersey, children’s gymnastics and yoga demonstrations and much more.
NEW entertainment this year on the 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage will include cool magic and mentalism in the Street Sorcery Show and the Wild Thrill Stunt Extravaganza featuring, juggling with knives, object balancing, fire eating and plenty of audience participation. A cartoon character parade, starring Buzz Lightyear, Minion, Stormtrooper and Cinderella will join Miss New Jersey Victoria Mozitis, in a procession down Amherst Ave.
The excitement continues with performances by the talented students of Suzie Neustadter and Blake’s Gymnastics. Back this year is a pumpkin decorating contest; purchase a pumpkin at Funfest for $2 and send a picture of your decorated pumpkin to info@margatehasmore.com. Winners will be posted on the Margate Has More Facebook page.
Ray Scott’s Dock ‘Wetland Wonderland’ will be hosting a myriad of activities including the annual Terrapin Turtle Release, call 609-822-6819 to reserve a boat seat. Jacques Cousteau Estuary Research, the Marine Mammal Standing Center and Sustainable Downbeach will have a variety of displays featuring ocean and bay life. Plus, a native butterfly display!! New to Funfest and offering some fun and unique activities is Carefree Boat Club of South Jersey.
VENDORS & CRAFTERS
Crafts from over 65 juried artisans offering a wide variety of handmade crafts including: wood designs, pottery, fall décor, culinary artisan products and unique jewelry. Funfest is known for its highly touted crafters and artisans. Dozens of juried artists offering a wide variety of handmade crafts including pottery, photography, fall décor, culinary artisans, handmade candles, wood working, soaps, and unique jewelry will be at Funfest.
FUNFEST CORNHOLE
Saturday features the return of the Funfest Cornhole Tournament presented by Haven Marketing with a cash prize and open to all ages. Register online below or day of on Washington Ave. from 10AM – noon, tournament begins at 1pm. The event is hosted by Colmar True Value Home Center Sunday is free Cornhole recreational play.
STEVE AND COOKIES 26TH ANNUAL DOG SHOW
On Sunday visitors will also enjoy Steve and Cookie’s 26th Annual Dog Show, with featured guests and exciting contest categories starring the most handsome and adorable dogs. For more information visit their facebook.
LIVE MUSIC
Talented musical bands and performers will be featured on the main stage, playing everything from rock, blues, country and Broadway. Saturday’s line-up features Teddi Fusco, the No Clue Trio, Viv Luff, Swing that Cat, Poor Mouth Henry and Bluestreet Band. Sunday will be rocking with The Company, Dan Barry, Mas Tequila Orchestra and Cubicle Shamans.
FREE ACTIVITES & GIVEAWAYS
Sponsor tents will feature exciting FREE activities and giveaways. New this year! Tomberlin Golf Carts provided by South Jersey Electric Vehicles will be on site at Washington and Amherst Avenues. Visit their booth and test drive their awesome street legal golf carts! Get behind the wheel and see if a golf cart fits your active lifestyle. Must be 21 or older. Whispering Angel wines will have a BARBIE booth on site during Funfest and After Dark for visitors to get their picture taken inside the pink world of the hit movie. WAWA will be randomly handing out product coupons; Atlantic County Utilities Authority’s environmental giveaways, waste disposal information, and participants of all ages are invited spin to the environmental trivia question wheel and be on the lookout for Supercan mascot; Renewal by Andersen, Hartman Home Team Berkshire Hathaway Fox & Roach Realtors interactive activities and South Jersey Electric Vehicles golf cart display. Novelli Team, Compass Real Estate will offer wonderful activities and information. Visitors will enjoy shopping at local businesses for early holiday gift buying or picking up something for themselves! For unique clothing items visit Christina’s Boutique and Lilly’s. Shoppers can get all the cool surfing apparel and more at
Heritage Surf & Sport and the hottest designer fish logo’d shirts and hats and decals at Steelfin.
The Margate Fall Funfest By The Bay, was started in 1998 by Margate Business Association founder and president Joseph Tozzi. The event held annually on Amherst Avenue, grew and realized crowds of 20,000 people from throughout the tri-state area all coming to enjoy the spectacular flavors, crafts and entertainment in Margate. The event is designed to give a boost to local businesses in the shoulder season and to showcase so many of Margate’s natural attributes.
Free jitney shuttle service is available all along Ventnor and Amherst Avenues and from the parking lot at the Eugene Tighe School on 7804 Amherst Avenue. Just look for the FREE FUNFEST JITNEY sign in the jitney window or download the Jitney Surfer app o track your jitney!
Schedules and events subject to change or cancellation.
