Beachgoers packed the Jersey Shore on Labor Day, soaking up warm weather for one final holiday weekend outing before the unofficial end of summer.
Ocean City drew visitors from across the region, with families and friends crowding the sand and surf throughout the day.
Perfect Weather Draws Crowds
Emily Lopez-Navas of Washington Township said the conditions made the trip more than worthwhile.
“I’m not gonna lie, the weather is honestly so amazing. The water is so warm, it feels so good. He’s having a blast with the sand,” Lopez-Navas said.
Others made last-minute day trips after spotting the favorable forecast.
“I was off today, and I looked at the weather, and it was gorgeous, so we decided to come on down,” said Brooke Bivona of Gloucester City, who visited with her daughter, Auri.
A Fitting End to Summer
For frequent visitors, the holiday delivered a memorable close to the season.
“Having my children down here with me. It’s been great,” said Lauren Vanaman of Wallingford when asked about her summer highlight.
Not everyone spent their final hours on the beach. Some visitors started heading home early, making one last stop at Manco and Manco’s before driving out.
“This is a yearly thing for us, a couple times a year even. The best part was probably just relaxing with the family. Life is so busy, so it was so nice to just unplug and be here for the weekend,” said Emily Schmidt of Harrisburg.
Holiday Traffic Expected
The gorgeous beach weather could create headaches for travelers later in the day. Anyone who waits until after dinner to begin their drive home should brace for heavier-than-usual traffic on the roads.