Shhh, I'm about to tell you a secret; Labor Day ends the frenzied peak tourism season, and locals up and down The Jersey Shore will tell you it's the moment we've waited for all summer as it ends your 'fun season' and starts ours.
The ocean is still warm, and the air is headed back to the mid-80s this week. Most restaurants, bars, boutiques, and amusements aren't yet closed for the season. And dozens of festivals, celebrating everything from beach-plum jam to clowns, are planned along The Jersey Shore.
Most Jersey Shore residents and business owners admit they're relieved to see visitors return in the spring as their presence breathes life into the economy and means a long, cold winter is finally over, but we also relish the fall.
Labor Day used to be closing time for area beach patrols, but only a few towns on The Jersey Shore are still sticking to that schedule, but many other towns were keeping at least a few lifeguard stands on the on LBI on the ready. Ship Bottom doesn't have enough lifeguards or beachgoers to keep all nine of its beaches guarded after Labor Day, but in recent years it has kept at least two up and running until October.
Come September, locals reclaim The Jersey Shore places they haven't been in months - the boardwalk so clogged with humanity they couldn't get in a decent jog, shopping centers so packed with cars there were no spaces. We'll be able to go to our local pub and get a seat at the bar or not have to wait 3 weeks for a reservation at popular restaurants...or un-popular for that matter. We can have friendly chats with our servers and not feel like we're keeping them from doing thier jbs...all and all it's just a more pleasant experience.
But, tourists are discovering the secret locals have known for years: September is a great time to go to the beach on The Jersey Shore, which is often too cold in June and too hot in July and August. Manpower and money seem to be the only limiting factors. A few towns don't want to spend the money to extend the season, but the bigger problem is finding lifeguards. Many lifeguards are teachers or students and schools are opening back up.
In recent years, as September beach crowds have grown, even police officers and EMT's have been taking water-rescue courses sponsored by the New Jersey State Police. A lot of people think this time of the year is the best-kept secret about The Jersey Shore. This is what the local beach patrols have planned:
·Barnegat Light: checking the budget to if there is money to staff beaches on weekends for several more weeks.
·Beach Haven: At least the Center Street Beach will be guarded on weekends through September. There will also be a roving patrol of lifeguards on weekends.
·Harvey Cedars: Guards remain on three beaches through Sept. 12 and then every Friday through Monday the rest of the month. The three beaches are 80th Street, Middlesex Avenue and Atlantic Avenue. Beach hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
·Long Beach Township: At least one beach, 68th Street, guarded weekend of Sept. 12 and 13.
·Ship Bottom: Two beaches, 15th and 20th streets, guarded through September. Eight ocean and one bay beach are guarded in height of summer. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
·Surf City: No beaches guarded after Labor Day
Karl Hess, Barnegat, Your Agent on the Jersey Shore
Homes for Sale Barnegat, Homes for Sale Manahawkin, Homes for Sale LBI
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