Rain dampens Father’s Day at the Jersey Shore

Seaside Heights, NJ – Fathers Day weekend in Seaside Heights, New Jersey is usually one of the busiest days along the Jersey Shore.  Beaches are usually packed with vacationers from the tri state region and there’s not a parking space to be found from Cape May to Sandy Hook.

This year, so far, such has not been the case as Jersey Shore businesses, already suffering from problems caused by economic downturn are getting hit extremely hard with higher than normal rainfall in June.   Rain has washed out nearly every weekend this summer along the shore.  In fact, it has rained 18 of 22 days so far in June, delivering over 4 inches of rain by the month’s midway point.  The average New Jersey rainfall amounts for June typically average 4 inches.   New Jersey is on track for 6 to 8 inches of rainfall before the month is over.

All along the boardwalk, both the economy and the rain has kept vacationers away.   On Sunday, Father’s Day, the crowds were light as stand employees sat around all day waiting for the visitors  who never came.     Store owners grumbled and complained about the rain the entire length of the boardwalk, but hope that the sun will return and they can make up lost ground in July and August. 

Rides were closed at the Casino Pier and Funtown Pier in Seaside for most of Father’s Day weekend.  The Casino Pier was hoping to lure dad’s with a “Dads ride free” promotion where fathers, accompanied by a paying child can ride all day for free and given a complimentary pass to the Breakwater Beach waterpark, which remained closed for yet another weekend.

The weather didn’t scare away the surfers as the tumultuous storms created wind and wave conditions ideal for the perfect wave, or as perfect as you can get here at the Jersey Shore.

With the first one third of the summer tourism season, which runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day, now in the books, local businesses owners are hoping for a return to normal seasonal weather at the Jersey Shore.   Many businesses have been hit hard this spring as higher than normal rainfall has dealt a financial blow for an industry not on any waiting list for a government sponsored handout.   If the rain continues and the crowds continue to stay away, it could have grave consequences for the Jersey Shore’s economic lifeline.