Sea Isle’s Skimmer Festival is a Father’s Day Weekend Favorite

The Skimmer Festival Weekend --  a Sea Isle City favorite since the 1960s -- happens this weekend, featuring family fun, rides, live music, food, vendors, and a Father's Day antique car show.

The Skimmer Festival Saturday Lineup

Saturday's day of family fun at the Skimmer Festival includes the craft market along the Promenade from 9:00 am to  4:00 pm, a food court, free rides in Excursion Park, a photo booth, face painting, an art bar, sand art, and balloon art.

The typically large, festive crowd will get to enjoy live music from the Brass Pocket Band.

Father's Day Fun at the Skimmer Festival

Sunday at Sea Isle's Skimmer Festival is highlighted by the Antique Auto Show along the Promenade, showcasing classic cars from 9 am to 1 pm.

Enjoy live tunes from the Snake Brothers from 10 am 'til noon.

At 1 pm, Sea Isle Mayor Lenny Desiderio will announce the auto show winners, followed by the Skimmer Antique Auto Parade down Landis Avenue at 1:30 pm.

The History of the Skimmer Festival

The first Skimmer Festival took place in 1963, the year after a huge storm pummeled the Jersey Shore, as Sea Isle looked for a way to attract visitors back to town.

Here's the question I've always wanted an answer to about the Skimmer Festival. What's the significance of that name? Was it started by a guy named Skimmer?

No.

Back in the Gatsby days of the late 1800s to the 1920s, Skimmer Hats or boater hats --  striped-band wheat straw hats -- were popular semi-formal summer hats for men.

In the 1960s, someone decided that the image of a Skimmer Hat fit with having a fun time in Sea Isle City.

Ok, that explanation works for me.