Inaugural “Unlock the Ocean” Ceremony Held in Ocean County to Welcome Summer!
On Wednesday, May 22, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners with its Division of Business Development and Tourism hosted their inaugural “Unlock the Ocean” ceremony in Lavallette. The event was…
(Left to Right) Deputy Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Gary Quinn, Ocean County Commissioner Frank Sadeghi, Lavallette Mayor Walter LaCicero, Division Director Of Business Development and Tourism at County of Ocean Sandra Lazzaro, and Jersey Shore BlueClaws mascot, Buster, “unlocking” the ocean!
Megan MoritzOn Wednesday, May 22, the Ocean County Board of Commissioners with its Division of Business Development and Tourism hosted their inaugural “Unlock the Ocean” ceremony in Lavallette. The event was organized as an honorary start to the summer tourism season.
Lavallette Mayor, Walter LaCicero, opened the event by thanking the Ocean County Board of Commissioners for choosing Lavallette as the first location for this inaugural event. He then gave the microphone to Commissioner Frank Sadeghi, who noted the perfect sunny weather for a morning at the beach, hoping that it’s a good omen for the rest of the season.
Megan MoritzMayor LaCicero opening the ceremony.
The US Navy had representatives at the event with 12 sailors looking on the add to the festivities.
Megan MoritzU.S. Navy and Air Force from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.
The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem were both performed before students from Lavallette Elementary School took the spotlight. They sang the song “How Far I’ll Go” from the Disney movie Moana, as well as signed the lyrics in American Sign Language. I thought this was a fantastic song choice being that the movie is based around the beach and ocean (in Hawaii).
Megan MoritzLavallette Elementary School students singing and signing!
After their performance, the Mayor and Commissioner brought the large “Ocean County Key” to the entrance of the beach to officially unlock the ocean.
Megan MoritzThe crowd walking to the beach entrance for the unlocking
Megan MoritzThe moment the key was turned to welcome the 2024 tourism season!
Jersey Shore BlueClaws’s mascot, Buster, also aided in the ceremonial “unlocking”. The elementary students were excited to see Buster, as you could hear the gasps and chants for his name over the microphone as he arrived. The students gathered for a group photo with him.
Megan MoritzThe students gathering for a picture with Buster!
Guests were welcome to take some gifts and refreshments available at the event's end. These items included Ocean County Tourism frisbees and sand buckets, crumb cake from the local coffee shop, Lava Java, and also some nautical themed cookies made by students of the culinary arts program at the Ocean County Vocational Technical School.
Megan MoritzGuests were encouraged to take home some summer essentials and refreshments.
Megan MoritzFresh baked cookies from OCTVS students!
Additional event photos can be found here!
You couldn't have asked for a more beautiful morning in Lavallette to "unlock the ocean" and officially start the summer season at the Jersey Shore ahead of Memorial Day Weekend!
