Mile-long "Stronger than the Storm" blue ribbon on the Ocean City Boardwalk. (Picture by Lori Hoffman)

The organization Stronger Than the Storm organized a shore wide ribbon-cutting event that took place this morning, Friday, May 24. The ribbons were cut to declare the Jersey Shore open from business. The Today Show broadcast live from  Seaside Heights with Gov. Chris Christie as co-host.

Other ribbon cuttings took place locally in Ocean City (pictured), Brigantine, Avalon, Sea Isle and Stone Harbor with one mile long ribbons. In Seaside Heights, the ribbon was five miles long to break the ribbon cutting record in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Ocean City Mayor Jay A. Gillian does the honors.

UPDATE: Thursday, May 23, 9:05PM: The location for the debut show in this series has been switched to Ocean City. The FOX 29 show will not be broadcasting live from Ocean City instead of Atlantic City on Friday morning, May 24, with segments between the hours of  7-10am.

Atlantic City was born in the minds of Philadelphia dreamers, including Jonathan Pitney, in the late 1800s. And while the resort has had its share of ups and downs over the past 160 years or so — like any city has — 2012 was a rough one to say the least.

Sandy was one of the biggest blows to the Atlantic City and entire Jersey Shore region ever, but there was also the economy dragging its feet at a snail’s pace to recover from the last five years of economic gloom, new outside gaming competition, Revel filing for bankruptcy, blah, blah blah.

Well, Philadelphia’s 19th century pet project — as well as other Jersey Shore towns — is getting a helping hand from the City of Brotherly Love in an effort to get the word out that the Jersey Shore and Atlantic City are open for business this long Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the summer season down here.

And it’s not only Philly.

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie made his way down from Trenton to Atlantic City’s newest attraction — Margaritaville, at Resorts (pictured) — on Thursday afternoon to discuss, among other things, the “Jersey Comeback” that he keeps referring to.

(Watch out for video from the Guv’s A.C. appearance at acweekly.com soon.)

Meanwhile, New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno will host a ribbon cutting ceremony in Sea Isle City on Friday (7-9am), part of a coordinated effort by Jersey shore towns up and down the coast — dubbed Stronger Than The Storm —  to usher in the upcoming season, the first since Sandy struck.

Christie will take part in a ceremony in Seaside Heights.

Other local towns joining the Stronger Than the Storm Party are: Brigantine (on the beach), Avalon (30th St. beach), Stone Harbor (95th St. beach), Ocean City (Boardwalk at 8th St.) and Wildwood (behind Convention Center at noon).

Also, starting on Friday and continuing every Friday through Labor Day, FOX-29’s Good Day Philadelphia show will be presenting a series called “The Comeback Down the Shore.” The series will highlight areas along the Jersey Shore that have rebuilt after the tragic Sandy hurricane struck last fall and are ready for the summer.

This Friday, May 24, FOX 29 will be in Atlantic City to feature the White House Sub Shop, Teplitzky’s at The Chelsea, Girasole, The Knife & Fork and Tony Boloney’s.

The show airs from 7-10am.

This summer, if you want to DO AC, do it a few times — there is a lot to do in the historic seaside resort. Come down and you’ll find out. Trust us.

RELATED: WHERE TO PARTY IN ATLANTIC CITY OVER THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, SOUTH JERSEY NIGHTLIFE AT ITS BEST!

(Photo: Craig Billow)

GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, N.J. —  Local singer/songwriter Gina Roche, known for adding a Brazilian flavor to her unique blend of jazz, blues and original compositions, will perform a Mother’s Day Weekend Celebration Concert at 7:30pm Saturday, May 11, in the beautiful concert space at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Jersey Shore.

Gina Roche

The congregation is located at 75 S. Pomona Rd. in Galloway (behind Stockton College).

A composer, jazz vocalist and guitarist, Roche will be joined by Andy Lalasis on acoustic bass and Keith Hollis on drums. This will prove to be an extraordinary evening of music.

Tickets are $15 in advance and $17.50 at the door. For advance ticket sales, call (609) 965-9400 and leave a message. For more information,visit ginaroche.com.

THE WILDWOODS — This Mother’s Day it’s tea for two … or three or more at Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Waterparks, located on the Wildwood’s boardwalk, where moms are invited to celebrate their special day with an unforgettable tea party for the whole family at the beloved Tea Cups ride.

Moms visiting the classic shore side destination on Sunday, May 12, will also ride free from 11am-5pm on Mariner’s Landing and Surfside Pier at Morey’s. With more than 100 rides and attractions to choose from, the entire family can ride on one of the largest Ferris wheels on the east coast, loop upside down on the Great Nor’easter coaster, splash down one of the steepest log flumes, and much more.

From noon-2pm, families can grab a seat in an oversized English tea cup and enjoy complimentary afternoon tea with an assortment of cookies, biscotti’s, and biscuits at the Tea Cups attraction, featuring new awnings that provide guests additional shade.

Kids will have the opportunity to decorate personalized sugar cookies for mom at the cookie decorating station at the Parents Pavilion on Mariner’s Landing Pier. Also available at the Parents Pavilion is a special photo area complete with signs and props for mom and the entire family to take pictures.

ATLANTIC CITY — The famed Steel Pier has a weekend full of fun and special events taking place for the Easter holiday, starting with a Kids Pancake Breakfast and unlimited rides on Saturday, March 30, for $10 per person (children aged 12 and under). Breakfast will be served 11am to 12:30pm followed by unlimited rides until 5pm.

On Sunday, the Steel Pier’s Easter Celebration continues with a best-dressed contest at 2pm (registration is from noon-1:30pm). Categories will includes all ages from birth-to-3 years, 4-7, 8-11 and 12-15 years. There will also be a Best Dressed Family category.

Each winner will be awarded great prizes, and the Easter Bunny will be handing out free goodie bags (while supplies last) to contestants.

Another fan favorite also returns, as Jim “The Singing Lifeguard” Craine (above) and the Atlantic City All-Star Band will be performing from 1-3pm.

The celebration is sponsored by Atlantic City Special Events and The Steel Pier. For more information, call (609) 345-4893.

ATLANTIC CITY — Revel is gearing up for spring with an Eggcellent Egg Hunt Weekend. This fun event will take place Friday, March 29, through Sunday, March 31.

The Egg Hunt will have prizes ranging from an overnight stay at Revel to dining certificates and free slot play. During the property-wide Eggcellent Egg Hunt Weekend, participants are encouraged to visit various venues within Revel to receive stamps for eggs containing prizes. Each stamp collected will also earn participants an entry into the grand prize drawing.

The winner will receive the “Spring Renewal” package at Bask salon and spa valued at $1,000. Participants who visit all venues will be given an egg containing a prize of a minimum $50 value. These prizes include a Luke’s Kitchen & Marketplace gift basket, Bask day passes, restaurant dining certificates, reward dollars and more. To redeem Egg Hunt stamps, visit the Revel Card Center.

Participants must be 21 or older and be a Revel Card holder. Those interested in participating must register at the Revel Card Center and pick up their complete list of participating venues. Visit revelresorts.com for more.

— Christina Rodriguez

ATLANTIC CITY- The Atlantic City Aquarium has a Breakfast With The Easter Bunny event scheduled for Saturday, March 23, from 8:30-10am.

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny includes a full-day admission to the Atlantic City Aquarium and a pancake breakfast with bagels, fresh fruit, juice, milk and coffee. Each child age 12 and under can participate in an Easter Egg Hunt and will receive a complimentary gift from the Easter Bunny and Seaweed Logger, the aquarium’s mascot. In addition, guests can enjoy the interactive Live Diver Feeding Show scheduled for 11am. Visitors can watch and interact with a diver as he or she hand-feeds the stingrays and sharks inside the 25,000-gallon tank.

To capture the memories the Easter Bunny and Seaweed will be available to pose for photos. Prices are $17.95 for adults and $14.95 for children ages 2-12,  $5 for ages one and under. Members receive a $3 discount per ticket. No discount coupons will be accepted for this event. Advanced reservations and a non-refundable 50-percent deposit is required due to limited space.

If you would like to have a fun family breakfast with the Easter Bunny RSVP to michelle@acaquarium.com or call in your reservation to (609) 348-2880, ext. 25 by Saturday, March 16.

— Christina Rodriguez

Looking for something fun to do this President’s Day? Why not go swimming and enjoy a live performance.  Sean Anderson also known as Big Sean will be performing live at The Harrah’s Pool After Dark Sunday, Feb.17.

Big Sean is an American Rapper signed to Kanye West’s G.O.O.D Music in 2007. He then signed to Island Def Jam Recordings a year later. He returns to Atlantic City for another amazing performance since his last concert at the House of Blues in Showboat. Along with his dynamic rhymes and beats, Sean gave a speech in the middle of his performance to talk to the audience about his life, his struggles, and how he became Big Sean.

Here is a short video on Big Sean’s Live  Performance at the House of Blues last year.

The fun begins at 9pm when the doors open. Must be 21 or older to attend. Dress to impress, dress code is strictly enforced. For bottle service, cabana and table reservations, call 441-5585.
The tickets are on pre sale online for $20, and $30 for general admission. To purchase tickets online visit wantickets.com

—–By Christina Rodriguez

If you park valet at Bally’s today and tomorrow (Friday, Dec. 21 and Saturday, Dec. 22) or stroll through the the casino’s Port Co-Chere, you’ll be delighted to see a variety of holiday-themed ice sculptures.

Created by Bally’s Executive Chef David Utley (The Reserve, Arturo’s, 6ix a Bistro), the ice sculptures depict angels, Santa Claus, reindeer and other holiday icons.

According to a Bally’s spokesperson, the “idea is to transform Bally’s valet area into a winter wonderland, where guests can literally drive up to or even through and witness the spectacular creations of David Utley.”

The ice will eventually melt, so you only have two days to check them out in person.

Click here for information about all current Atlantic City casino promotions.

This New Year’s Eve, Atlantic City is the place to be for EDM lovers as it hosts some of the hottest names in electro house music to celebrate the start of 2013.

Along with Bader Field’s Life in Color, which features the likes of Steve Aoki and David Solano, Revel’s HQ nightclub has enlisted a stellar cast of DJs sure to make the last of 2012 memorable.

Kicking off the countdown to 2013 is Swedish sensation, Sebastian Ingrosso, whose chart-topping singles such as “Don’t You Worry Child” will set the tone for the wild weekend to come.

Ingrosso invades HQ Nightclub Thursday, Dec. 27 with tickets priced at $30.

Following Ingrosso on Friday, Dec. 28 is his fellow Swedish House Mafia member, internationally famed Axwell, $40 for ladies, $60 for guys. Sold out shows Alesso and Otto Knows, Saturday, Dec. 29, and the iconic Kaskade, Sunday, Dec. 30 will only intensify the hype for the big night with unforgettable performances.

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