Wildwood Celebrates Independence Day with a Weekend of Entertainment and Activities

THE WILDWOODS, NJ – Celebrate the Fourth of July in The Wildwoods with a weekend packed with family-friendly activities and entertainment, highlighted by a fireworks spectacular on the boardwalk. Visitors can enjoy a variety of events, many of which are free, providing non-stop fun throughout the holiday weekend.

Fitness and Wellness Events Kick Off the Celebrations Start the morning with fitness activities at Byrne Plaza in Downtown Wildwood. On Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5, from 8:30-9:30 a.m., fitness enthusiasts can join in for a Total Body Strength and Cardio workout and a Bootcamp Circuit training session for a minimal fee with free parking available. Additionally, daily Yoga on the Beach sessions from July 4 to July 7 offer a tranquil start to each day at 9 a.m. behind the Wildwoods Convention Center.

Parades Adding Patriotic Flair The Independence Day Family Parade on Thursday, July 4, invites participants of all ages to decorate their bikes and wagons and join the procession in North Wildwood. The Patriotic Pooch Parade the same day allows pet owners to showcase their dogs in festive attire, both starting at 9 a.m.

Musical Performances to Entertain All Ages The evening of July 4 will be filled with music across Wildwood. At 7:30 p.m., Kat Rivers will perform at the Sunset Lake Gazebo in Wildwood Crest, and the Juliano Brothers will host a dance party at Byrne Plaza in Downtown Wildwood. The Wildwood Crest Summer Music Series features “Flip Like Wilson” at Centennial Park, followed by the Fireworks Spectacular at 10 p.m.

Craft Shows and Collectibles The Boardwalk Craft Show from July 5 to July 7 offers a range of handmade and boutique items, while the Sports Card, Toys, Comics & Collectibles July Show promises finds for collectors of all types.

Additional Activities for All Interests A special New Moon Movement, Sound, & Meditation session will be held on the beach on Friday, July 5. The Downtown Wildwood Farmers Market on Saturday, July 6, showcases local produce and goods, and a Sidewalk Chalk Competition offers creative fun for families.

Concluding with Fireworks The weekend’s festivities conclude with the Wildwoods Boardwalk Friday Night Fireworks, ensuring the celebration ends with a bang. These events promise a memorable Fourth of July weekend for visitors and residents alike in The Wildwoods.

FREEHOLD, NJ—A Neptune Township man, William A. Herndon, 41, was convicted of armed robbery at a local 7-Eleven, as announced by Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago.

The incident occurred early morning on March 31 last year, when Neptune Township Police responded to an alarm at the convenience store on Route 35 South. The robbery involved Herndon brandishing a sawed-off shotgun and attempting to steal money from the cash register while a store employee was giving change to a customer.

Herndon was arrested on April 18, 2023, and has been held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution since. The evidence presented at trial included physical clues, witness accounts, and video footage, which notably showed Herndon modifying the shotgun used in the robbery.

The jury delivered a guilty verdict this Monday following the trial overseen by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Christie Bevacqua.

CUMBERLAND, MD—On Monday, a Cumberland Police Department officer pulled over a vehicle for multiple traffic violations. During the stop, the driver, alone in the car, failed to produce a driver’s license and gave a name and birthdate.

The officer called for a Police K9 to sniff the vehicle.

The K9 signaled the presence of narcotics, leading to a vehicle search. It was then discovered that the driver’s name was false, which she admitted after being told of the K9’s alert.

Further investigation revealed that the driver, Ashley Marie Decarlo, 37, had a bench warrant from the Circuit Court of Frederick County, Maryland. The search also uncovered drugs and paraphernalia in the vehicle. Decarlo faced additional charges for cocaine possession, obstructing, making false statements, and driving with a suspended license. She was detained and taken to Allegany County Detention Center, where a detainer was placed for her existing warrant.

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA—The Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD) has successfully apprehended Kenneth Pride Jr., a 56-year-old man, linking him to a series of burglaries across the city.

Detectives have pinpointed Pride as the primary suspect in three specific incidents: the first occurring on May 29 in the 100 block of S. Lynnhaven Rd., the second on May 6 in the 700 block of Independence Cir., and the third on March 15 in the 400 block of Viking Dr.

Pride faces 14 felony counts of entering a building at night with intent to commit larceny, three felony counts of possessing burglarious tools, one felony count of credit card larceny, one felony count of monument damage greater than $1000, and three misdemeanor counts of petit larceny.

BURLINGTON COUNTY, NJ – With temperatures forecasted to soar past 90 degrees this week, the Burlington County Office on Aging is distributing free 20-inch box fans to senior citizens at risk of heat-related illnesses. The National Institutes of Health has identified seniors as particularly vulnerable during intense heat periods.

Seniors in need of a fan to help alleviate the risk of heat stress can contact the Office on Aging at 609-265-5069. The staff is ready to assist and ensure the safety and comfort of the elderly community during the hot summer months.

Furthermore, Burlington County Library System libraries across the county are available as cooling centers for all residents seeking relief from the heat.

MURRYSVILLE, PA—Murrysville Police have charged two individuals, Keirstin Trout and Michael Svilar, in connection with an attempted burglary and trespassing incident in the borough.

On May 30, police were alerted to a suspected burglary at a residence on Jackson Court. The homeowner reported damage to a basement window and window on the basement door, with the incident partially captured by the home’s security system. The footage showed a man, later identified as Michael Svilar from Monroeville, attempting to enter through a side door and climbing scaffolding around the house.

Two days before this incident, a red SUV was seen outside the home, from which two females exited and approached the property. One of the women, identified as Keirstin Trout from Pitcairn, was recognized by the homeowner as ‘Kiki’. Trout, seen in the video attempting to pry open a window with a garden stake, was later contacted by undercover officers through an online adult website where she was depicted. She was detained on several active arrest warrants.

Trout is charged with attempted burglary, criminal attempt, criminal trespass, and criminal mischief. Svilar was arrested and arraigned on Tuesday. The public’s assistance was crucial in identifying Svilar from the surveillance video. Both suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty.