Memorial Day Weekend is here and the Jersey Shore is in full swing for the summer season. Covid-19 restrictions in New Jersey will end on Friday, May 28. Masks will no longer be required indoors for fully vaccinated people and social distancing rules will end for casinos, retail stores, restaurants and bars.
Atlantic City’s nine casinos are open and ready for business, eager to make up the financial setbacks due to the pandemic.
• Annual Unlocking of the Ocean: Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. will perform the annual “unlocking of the ocean” ceremony on the Boardwalk in front of Resorts Casino Hotel at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 28. Small will be joined by Steve Downey, Atlantic City Beach Patrol chief and Mark Giannantonio, president and CEO of Resorts.
ATLANTIC CITY CASINOS
Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino
Events: Bally’s Beach Bar will open at 11 a.m. Friday. Beginning in June, the Beach Bar will be open daily at 11 with live music every day. New this year is the Beach Barbecue, serving chicken, burgers, hot dogs, sausage and more.
Promos: Win a 2021 Ford F-150 by earning entries through Monday. Someone will win a 2021 Ford F-150 at 3 p.m. May 31. Earn entries through 2:45 p.m. To be eligible players must swipe at a promotional kiosk between noon and 2:45 p.m. that day to activate entries. Complete rules and regulations are available at the Players Club.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Events: Borgata Comedy Club is open with shows Friday through Monday. The Water Club hotel tower is now open for weekend bookings. Borgata’s outdoor pool is open starting Friday, weekends only.
• Borgata Beer Garden, featuring a full-service canopied bar serving more than 15 domestic and craft beers along with snacks, is open noon to 10 p.m. Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday; and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday.
Promos: Borgata is giving away three BMW X5s, one every three hours at 3, 6 and 9 p.m. – on May 29. In addition, Borgata is giving away 5,000 Bonus Slot Dollars every 30 minutes from noon to 7 p.m. on May 31. Details at the M life Rewards Desk.
Caesars Entertainment Atlantic City Casinos (Caesars, Harrah’s & Tropicana)
Events: Tropicana Atlantic City will continue it’s annual Free Fireworks display at 10 p.m. on Saturdays from May 29 to Sept. 10, excluding July 3. Be sure to check it out. Harrah’s will double the size of The Lobby Bar, located in the center of the property, offering music and drink specials for the holiday weekend. Harrah’s Pool After Dark is slated to reopen in June.
Promos: Through Saturday, every time you hit a jackpot over $1,200 at Harrah’s, Caesars or Tropicana, you will qualify for one free electronic entry into their $25,000 jackpot drawings. Be 1 of 45 winners to walk away with a share of $25,000 in free slot play with a top prize of $1,000.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Events: The Golden Nugget is back with Live Entertainment at The Deck. Food service is offered from 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays, noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Here’s the musical lineup.
• Friday: No Pressure, 7:30 p.m.
• Saturday: The Deck Band, 2:30 p.m., Don’t Call Me Francis, 8 p.m.
• Sunday: The Exceptions, 2:30 p.m., Cheers the Band, 8 p.m.
• Monday: Bobby & Mike, noon
• For those who qualify, the Chairman’s Club at Golden Nugget is now open seven days a week: Monday through Thursday, 1 to 8 p.m.; Fridays, 1 to 11 p.m.; Saturdays, noon to 11 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 8 p.m.
Promos: Golden Nugget is giving away a 2021 Jeep Rubicon at 6 p.m. on May 30. In addition, the Grand Finale of Golden Nugget’s $100,000 Stars & Stripes Sweepstakes takes place from noon to 4 p.m. on May 31–10 winners every 30 minutes.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Events: Hard Rock’s Beach Bar will open Memorial Day weekend. Andrew Santino will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. Sunday at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena. Tickets are available at HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com, Ticketmaster.com and 800-745-3000.
Promos: Five Wild Card Rewards cardholders can win $1,000 in Bonus Free Play every 30 minutes from 2 to 8 p.m. on May 31. At 8 p.m., 20 players could win $2,000 in Bonus Free Play.
Ocean Casino Resort
Events: HQ2 Beachclub will open with a three-day celebration beginning Saturday. The DJ lineup includes Cash Cash on Saturday, followed by Meduza on Sunday and Fergie DJ and PS1 on Monday.
• The Cabanas at Ocean will open Friday. Call the Reservations Department 609-783-8000 to reserve.
Promos: $300,000 Memorial Day Weekend Sweepstakes 2 to 11 p.m. Saturday through Monday. Ten winners every 30 minutes will win up to $500 Free Play. Grand prize drawings totaling $25,000 cash at 11 p.m.
Resorts Casino Hotel
Events: Due to COVID-19, Resorts Annual Beach Ball Drop will be streamed live throughout the casino at 5 p.m. May 28. Strolling entertainers from 4 to 8 p.m. throughout the casino. Live entertainment at LandShark Bar & Grill and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville seven days a week starting Friday through Labor Day. The new Dougherty’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar will open for dinner seven days a week.
Promos: 10 winners will be chosen to grab a ball that could be worth $5,000 in slot cash at the Beach Ball Drop. Earn entries through 3:45 p.m. Friday to participate. Winners will have 20 seconds to grab a beach ball worth a guaranteed $500 – one ball is worth $5,000. Another guest will start the summer with a 2021 Jeep Gladiator. Guests can enter by playing their favorite slot or table games while using their Star Card through May 30 at 3:55 p.m. The winner will be drawn at 4 p.m. And, from 1 to 7 p.m. on May 31, while supplies last, earn five tier points to receive a Hot Summer Fun long-sleeve t-shirt. Visit the Promotions Booth.
• Hot Summer Fun Prize Patrol will roam the casino floor 5 to 6 p.m.
• 10X cashback on slot play 6 to 9 p.m.
• $500 every 15 minutes in slot cash 9 p.m. to midnight.
Jersey Shore Towns Holding Memorial Day Events
Friday, May 28
ATLANTIC COUNTY VETERANS MEMORIAL PROGRAM: 2 to 3 p.m.; Atlantic County will honor the sacrifice and service of its fallen military veterans; Atlantic County Veterans Cemetery, 109 Route 50, Estell Manor. 609-343-2313 or aclink.org.
SHORE MEDICAL CENTER MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND CEREMONY: noon; honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom; songs will be performed by Shore employees Michael Green and Saundra Stokes; front lawn of Shore Medical Center, Bay Avenue, Somers Point.
Sunday, May 30
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE IN ATLANTIC CITY: 10 a.m., hosted by the Saracini-O’Neill 9/11 Memorial Committee; at Saracini-O’Neill Memorial, Jackson Avenue and the Boardwalk; the Sandpipers Pipes and Drums will open and close the event; Isabella Previti and Suzie Neustadter will sing patriotic songs; emcee Michael Fedorko; unveiling of 40-ton Purple Heart sand sculpture by John and Laura Gowdy; event open to public. Contact Bob Pantalena at 609-226-7912.
Monday, May 31
ABSECON MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 9 to 10 a.m.; down New Jersey Avenue, north to Shore Road then west down Church Street; ceremony to follow in Veterans Park; see Facebook event listing for information.
CAPE-ATLANTIC MARINE CORPS LEAGUE CEREMONY: follows Absecon Memorial Day parade; hosted by Cape-Atlantic Detachment of the Marine Corps League, 731 Great Creek Road, Galloway Township; guest speakers followed by complimentary food and beverage; visit the group’s Facebook page.
CAPE MAY COUNTY MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: 2 p.m., Gerald M. Thornton Veterans Cemetery, 129 Crest Haven Road, Cape May Court House; Cape May County Freeholder Brig. Gen (Ret) Jeffrey L. Pierson will serve as the Master of Ceremonies; speakers include Cape May County Commissioner Director Gerald M. Thornton, Commissioner Vice-Director Leonard Desiderio, Congressman Jeff Van Drew, Assemblyman Erik Simonsen and Captain Sarah “Kathy” Felger, Commanding Officer, USCG TRACEN, Cape May.
HAMMONTON MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: 11 a.m.; 100th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Hammonton World War I Monument; speakers, music, local dignitaries and organizations represented; Veterans Memorial Park, corner of Bellevue Avenue and Vine Street (School House Lane), Hammonton. TownOfHammonton.org.
MARGATE MOTHERS’ ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE: 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; uniformed groups, decorated bikes/strollers encouraged to march; lineup 9:30 a.m. at Winchester and Union avenues in Margate, the parade will travel down Ventnor Avenue and will end at All Wars Memorial at Mansfield Avenue. 609-822-1129 or MargateHasMore.com.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE AT BUENA VISTA TOWNSHIP: 11 a.m. to noon; service to remember local soldiers and thank them for their service; coffee and donuts served; Veterans Memorial Stone in front of Buena Vista Township Municipal Complex, 890 Harding Highway. 856-697-2100 or buenavistanj.com.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE AT OSPREY POINT: 10 to 11 a.m.; James Joyce, Osprey Point resident and U.S. Army veteran, will serve as host; flag honoring and memorializing Robert Henzy, an Osprey Point resident and Army veteran, will be presented to the community; Sgt. William R. Godfrey Memorial Park., 1731 Route 9, Seaville. 609-390-8006.
NORTH WILDWOOD MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 10 to 11 a.m.; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5941 and the City of North Wildwood will honor fallen soldiers from every war; North Wildwood Veterans Monument, Spruce and New York avenues. 609-729-5832.
SEA ISLE CITY MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY: 10 a.m.; wreath laying, patriotic hymns, local dignitaries; Veterans Park, JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue. 609-263-8687 or visitsicnj.com.
SOMERS POINT MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE: 11 a.m., Patriots Park, Bethel Road and First Street.
VFW MEMORIAL DAY SERVICES: 11 a.m. to noon; hosted by Greater Absecon Island Veterans of Foreign Wars; vocalist Donna Innes of Atlantic City, guest speaker Past Commander and Vietnam veteran Thomas Klein; light refreshments to follow; VFW Memorial Post 215, 601 N. Dorset Ave., Ventnor. 609-823-2240 or vfw215.org.
