Beachgoers welcome sun for unofficial end of summer at Jersey Shore, Long Island
JERSEY SHORE, New Jersey (WABC) -- Summer came to its unofficial end on Labor Day, and thousands hit area beaches and boardwalks Monday to celebrate with one last day of fun in the sun.
And that sun was a welcome addition after the holiday weekend got off to a shaky start, weather wise.
Even though it stayed mostly dry on Saturday and Sunday, it wasn't exactly the ideal way many business owners hoped to cap off the season.
At the Jersey Shore, many traded in sunscreen for sweatshirts. But the bad beach days gave way to gorgeous nights on the boards, where revelers enjoyed rides, food, fun -- and a slight breeze.
Still, a hot and humid Monday sent beachgoers flocking to the shore for one last gasp of the season before all the kids head back to school.
On Long Island, officials announced four state beaches -- Jones Beach, Robert Moses, Hither Hills and Sunken Meadow -- will stay open every day until September 16.
Reporter Kristin Thorne spent the holiday at Jones Beach, where no one was complaining about the weather. And just off the shore line, whales could be seen breaching, along with several dolphins.
"The plan today is just enjoy the beach and enjoy my day off of work, because I work a lot," beachgoer Delmar Barry said.
For those would couldn't make it to the beach but were still looking to beat the heat, public pools offered a respite. Meteorologist Jeff Smith was at the McCarren Pool in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where hundreds of swimmers cooled off in more than one million gallons of water.
In South Plainfield, crowds gathered along Maple Avenue for the 61st Labor Day Parade. It is part of the fabric of the community.
Betty Danik was front and center. She's 93 and has been coming to the parade for more than 50 years, and our Kemberly Richardson was there.
Elsewhere, Rutherford held its 43rd Annual Rutherford Labor Day Street Fair, New Jersey's oldest and largest one-day street fair.
The event featured traditional street vendors, food trucks, an antique fair and a costume character musical revue.
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