WILDWOOD, NJ (CBS) — Despite everyone wearing jackets and sweatshirts, the crowded boardwalk in Wildwood this weekend looked like a summer Saturday.
“I will say that Remembrance Weekend came quickly, so we love it. It’s wonderful,” said Isabelle Betancourt, who attended a campaign rally organized by the Washington Post. Former President Donald Trump In the city on 11 May.
“I almost couldn’t get here because there was too much traffic to walk from North Wildwood to here,” said Dennis Keegan, traveling from National Park, New Jersey.
People who did not have tickets for Saturday’s rally tried to catch a glimpse of Trump on the beach through a fence erected on the boardwalk.
The crowd gathered at Captain Jack also. The beach balcony of the bar and restaurant overlooks the stage where Trump was speaking.
“It’s like the Fourth of July, Labor Day weekend and Memorial Day weekend all packed into one,” said owner Shawn Dougherty.
According to Dougherty, a typical Saturday in May is usually slow, and he closes early, but the influx of people was a welcome boost to his bottom line.
“It’s an incentive to start paying the bills, pay my Cisco bill, my food and my liquor bills. It was a big help,” Dougherty said.
The same can be said for Salty Anchor. Colder than normal weather forced many people out of their homes.
“It was very windy yesterday too, so everyone gets sweatshirts, sweatpants and things like that,” Assar Ahmed said.
Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano, Jr. said he would have official numbers in a few days, but expected the economic impact to be in the millions.
Businesses are now hoping for good weather over Memorial Day weekend, which is two weeks away.
Ryan Hughes
