Jason Kelce signs autographs during his celebrity bartending appearance at the Ocean Drive’s outdoor bar in 2022.
By DONALD WITTKOWSKI
SEA ISLE CITY – Call it “Kelce Mania” or “Kelce Madness.” They might as well rename Sea Isle City as “Kelceville” on June 26 and June 27 when Jason Kelce returns for the annual Eagles Autism Awareness fundraiser.
Reflecting Kelce’s huge popularity, one Sea Isle official joked that the now-retired Philadelphia Eagle may one day become mayor of the shore town.
Sea Isle is expected to be packed with Kelce fans for a series of special events related to his appearance June 26 and June 27.
For the fourth year in a row, the Ocean Drive bar and sister property O’Donnell’s Pour House on Landis Avenue will be the main venue for Kelce’s appearance and fundraiser benefiting the Eagles Autism Foundation.
Tickets for a VIP event with Kelce at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Pour House reportedly sold out in just 4 minutes. Tickets will be available at $10 each for the general public to see Kelce in his role as celebrity bartender from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Ocean Drive and the Pour House.
“We are getting a lot of people calling us. People have been calling since February wanting to know when this event is, because they plan to take their vacations then,” Kathy Larkin, general manager of the Ocean Drive and Pour House, said of the excitement created by Kelce’s appearance.
Based on the turnout in previous years, hundreds of fans are expected to pack the Pour House’s outdoor Paddy’s Green dining area and the Sandbar and Grill next door at the Ocean Drive.The event has become increasingly popular because Kelce brings along some of the current and former Eagles. Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, Landon Dickerson, Dallas Goedert, Jake Elliot, Connor Barwin, Trent Cole and Todd Herremans were among the current and former players who showed up in 2023.
“We haven’t gotten word yet on who is coming this year, but they told us it’s probably going to be the same guys as last year and a few others,” Larkin said of the players.
Also stopping by in 2023 was Travis Kelce, Jason’s brother and All-Pro and Pro-Bowl tight end with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Travis Kelce has been in the national and international spotlight in recent months because of his relationship with pop music superstar Taylor Swift.
For all those “Swifties” and Travis Kelce fans out there, the couple, unfortunately, isn’t expected to show up Wednesday in Sea Isle.
“I was guaranteed that Travis and Taylor aren’t coming. They’re definitely not coming,” Larkin said in an interview. “If they do show up, it will be a big surprise.”
Larkin said the event raised about $500,000 last year. The fundraiser generated about $50,000 in its first year in 2021 and about $100,000 in 2022.
In addition to ticket sales at the door, the owners and employees of the Ocean Drive and the Pour House are a major source of funding for the autism foundation. The bartenders and wait staff donate their tips for autism awareness. Brothers Ralph and Pat Pasceri, the owners of the Ocean Drive and Pour House, also make a significant donation, Larkin said.
The event not only benefits the Eagles Autism Foundation, but also creates an economic boost for Sea Isle’s downtown business district by drawing customers to the bars, restaurants and retail shops.
“I’ve been told that you can’t even rent a property. They’re sold out,” Larkin said of lodging in Sea Isle.
Before the fundraiser at the Ocean Drive, a family-friendly event will take place courtesy of the Eagles organization, along with the support of the city.
“Obviously, the event has been a big attraction for people of all ages,” Sea Isle Public Information Officer Katherine Custer said of the autism fundraiser. “So earlier this year, when Mrs. Kelce and the Eagles organization approached the city with the request to have a family-friendly event at Excursion Park that same day, Mayor (Leonard) Desiderio immediately said yes, much to the delight of children and their families.”
From family-friendly activities at Excursion Park to celebrity bartending at the Ocean Drive to a second day event at a local yacht club, there will be plenty of opportunities in Sea Isle for fans to enjoy Kelce sightings – among sightings of other famous athletes.
Jim Collins, general manager of the Yacht Club of Sea Isle City, said an event at the yacht club on June 27 will round out two special days with the goal of benefiting autism awareness.
However, the event at the yacht club is already sold out, Collins said.
“We may have some sponsorship opportunities,” he said, adding that it sold out within hours after it was posted on social media by the Eagles organization.
He explained that the Eagles autism organization contacted him about doing a portion of the event at the yacht club since it became so big over the past three years. 
Fans line up outside O’Donnell’s Pour House for the 2023 fundraiser.
Collins said he was more than pleased to oblige.
“Jason Kelce has definitely endeared himself to Sea Isle. I was thinking he could be mayor one day, as soon as Lenny (Desiderio) is done being mayor,” Collins joked.
Kelce, the Eagles All-Pro and Pro-Bowl center, announced his retirement from the NFL in March to close out a 13-year career. He and his wife, Kylie, have a vacation home in Sea Isle.
Collins said he had a “few nice meetings” with the Eagles autism organization to prepare for Kelce’s appearance at the yacht club.
“They are partnering with Sean McNulty of Carefree Boat Club in Avalon and bringing over contestants in a boat parade,” Collins said.
The event is expected to include up to 20 boats arriving at the yacht club around 11 a.m. on Thursday. Kelce and the contestants of a beer bowl at the yacht club and any other Eagles will be in the boat parade, Collins said.
Collins emphasized that he has not been told definitively any names of other famous guests that will be a part of the event.
“They were throwing a wide net out,” he said of the Eagles organization.
Once the attendees are inside the yacht club, the beer bowl games will begin, he said.
“It will definitely be the first game of flip cup played at the yacht club,” he said with a laugh. “It will be a big party and I’m hoping this is an annual thing and we will get it back year after year.”
