Photos by BROOKE FELDMAN/Mother and daughter duo Emari DiGiorgio and Syra Wolf enjoyed all the day’s festivities.
By BROOKE FELDMAN
VENTNOR – Residents and visitors gathered on a gorgeous spring day for Ventnor’s annual Block Party.
Although it was planned each year, the city-run event was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19 and in 2022 as a result of poor weather. The community was eager to attend this year.
Vendors lined Ventnor Avenue between Troy and Portland avenues Saturday afternoon to sell local food, clothing, accessories and artwork.
“I love being out here with all of these people from our town, and I love these little shops,” Ventnor resident Stacy Heyman said. “I think this is really important for the local businesses to get exposure.”
Some of the local Downbeach vendors included Tacocat, Salty Paws and PJ Buckets.
Nucky’s Kitchen & Speakeasy provided a cocktail bar for the older visitors while younger ones had their pick at various children’s activities, ranging from a racetrack to bounce houses.
Wristbands for these activities sold for $20. The proceeds will be divided among the Ventnor Home and School Association and Ventnor City Special Events.
“We raise money for field trips, busing, dances for the children and all of the fun things that they get to do all year long,” association President Michele Salvato said.
Emari DiGiorgio, whose daughter Syra attends Ventnor Elementary School, addressed the financial impact of the event.
“We are excited that there is a program like this to help offset the cost of all of the fun things they [the students] do, from the dances to the field days, and even the programs they run for the teachers to really build community,” DiGiorgio said. “So, we are happy that we have this kind of event on a beautiful spring day.”
DiGiorgio and her daughter were enjoying everything the block party had to offer, including the entertainment.
Music filled the air every step of the way. 100.7 WZXL and 95.1 WAYV hosted entertainers such as Fuse Box on the Portland Avenue stage. The Kilted Rogues travelled along the avenue performing up-tempo Scottish and Irish music complete with bag pipes and drums.
“It’s extra special for us,” Kilted Rogues member Jeff Tuthill said. “For me personally, I have a big Irish heritage, and the other members are very Celtic influenced through our families, so it is nice to pass on the tradition, meaning and history.”
But the day would not be complete without an Elvis Presley impersonator. Ventnor resident Ricky Stevens gladly fulfilled this duty.
“It means a lot to me because of the fact that I live here and am friends with a lot of the business owners and residents,” Stevens said. “I have really been embraced so I can’t imagine leaving this city because it feels like home to me.”
That seemed to be the theme of the day. Ventnor holds a special place in the community’s heart.
“I love living here because it is an awesome place,” Heyman said. “It is a happy place.”
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