MARGATE

Fall Funfest by the Bay offers fun for all ages

MARGATE – The city’s 23rd Fall Funfest by The Bay, presented by Philadelphia Lexus Dealers, is back 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 along the Amherst Avenue Marina District.

Funfest will feature 110 booths of spectacular hand-made fine arts and crafts, amusements, mouthwatering foods, Margate retailers, major commercial sponsors, nonprofit organizations and Margate City municipal departments, and plenty of children’s activities. Eleven live bands and performers entertain on the WZXL 100.7 Main Stage, a dozen acts on the 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage. Scott’s Dock will offer its Wetlands Wonderland, and parades featuring Miss New Jersey and costumed Star Wars characters will be held both days. Adults can enjoy a refreshing beer garden with plenty of ice cold selections, and cocktails at Tito’s Handmade Vodka Bloody Mary Tent.

Tom Briglia/Funfest After Dark

Then as Saturday rolls into evening, Funfest After Dark: Definitely Not for Kids kicks off featuring wine and spirits tasting and lite bites 7:30-10 p.m. at the Washington Avenue pier. The Hook brings the fun of their show and restaurant to the bayfront. Live music by Steve Moore and The MIA Band will light up Washington Avenue with rock classics, dance favorites and country jams. Admission is $20 in advance, $25 on Saturday and includes five samplings of wine and spirits, finger foods provided by Dino’s Subs and Philly Pretzel Factory. To purchase tickets, see margatehasmore.com.

On Sunday, the 27th annual Steve and Cookie’s Dog Show entertains with featured guests and contest categories starring the most handsome/prettiest large and small dogs and a high energy K-9 demonstration. The show benefit NJ Aid for Animals and the Humane Society of Ocean City. Pre-register at www.steveandcookies.com.

Food vendors from throughout the region will be offering savory food selections such as California Frozen Yogurt’s refreshing fresh fruit smoothies, South Jersey Smokehouse’s flavorful brisket and ribs, Tacocat Cal-Mex tacos and seafood, Water Dog BBQ pulled pork, Betty’s Seafood Shack lobster rolls and shrimp boxes, Vagabond and their tequila shrimp bangers, The Muffin Top Asian and Vietnamese spring rolls and beef skewers, Sherri’s famous crabcakes, St. Nicholas Greek Church traditional Greek favorites, Tony Boloney’s, Tin Cup Soda, Tommy T’s funnel cakes, Philly Pretzels and much more.

Funfest is known for its highly touted and immensely talented crafters and artisans. Dozens of juried artists will offer a wide variety of handmade crafts including pottery, photography, fall décor, culinary artisans, handmade candles, wood working, soaps and unique jewelry.

Talented musical bands and performers will be featured on the main stage, playing everything from rock, blues, country and show tunes. Saturday’s line-up features Teddi Fusco performing Broadway showstoppers and the latest hits, the No Clue Trio and their feel good rock hits, Swing that Cat and their “Sonic Cocktail” of blues, swing and cabaret; Poor Mouth Henry jams classic and country rock favorites; 1818 Shakedown Street covers the Grateful Dead like no other and Artese N Toad is an acoustic singer-songwriting duo that will wow with their harmonies. Sunday’s line-up spotlights Dan Barry and his acoustic hits; Friend of a Friend covers everything from the Beatles to Eminem; Sunrise Cries provides an eclectic mix of rock, pop and dance tunes; the Bluestreet Band handles everything blues, country and folk and rounding out Funfest is The Company and a set of timeless classics from every genre.

Entertainment this year on the 95.1 WAYV Kid's Stage will include mind boggling 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 character parade with Cinderella, Buzz Lightyear and Star Wars favorites Chewbacca, Darth Vader, and Stormtrooper, Miss New Jersey Elizabeth Mendel, will lead a procession down Amherst Avenue. The excitement continues with performances by students from Blake's Gymnastics.

The Wetland Wonderland at Scott’s Dock will feature a myriad of activities including salt marsh and shore education, a native butterfly display, terrapin turtles, and Sustainable Downbeach presentations featuring ocean and bay life. Families can book trips aboard the Capt. Robin for Sunday Ecotours and turtle releases at 11 a.m., and 1 and 3 p.m. Call Scott’s Dock at 609-822-6819 or visit www.scottsdock.com to reserve your seat. Admission is $25 adults, $15 for children ages 13 and under.

Free jitney shuttle service is available all along Ventnor and Amherst avenues and from the parking lot at the Eugene Tighe School at 7804 Amherst Avenue.

Schedules and events subject to change or cancellation.