Cool start to Labor Day weekend means plenty of room at the beach on the Jersey Shore
BELMAR, New Jersey (WABC) -- Many people in our area are already taking advantage of the long Labor Day weekend before kids go back to school and summer unofficially wraps up.
The good news is that this year's getaway is cheaper if you're driving. AAA says average gas prices are hovering around $3.35 a gallon, the lowest since 2021.
Gas is the cheapest in New Jersey at $3.23 a gallon, Connecticut's average is $3.38 a gallon, and New York is the most expensive at $3.48 a gallon.
The one thing that makes the Jersey Shore attractive is the great weather.
Friday was a jacket day for visitors and that meant there was plenty of open space on the beach in Belmar.
The Labor Day weekend comes with a cool breeze off the ocean as only the brave and determined venture out onto the sandy shores, the gray skies keeping the crowds down as we begin the last big blast of summer 2024.
Those who were not deterred found a lot of open beach to choose from.
"We just thought it was the last Friday before the end of the summer, get one more beach day in before school starts and we go back," Beachgoer Jamie Fox said.
"It's a beautiful day out in Belmar no matter what the weather is," said Maria Leo, a Belmar resident.
This weekend begins the unofficial start to what is called "local summer," as the large crowds dissipate, and area residents get out to enjoy life at the shore.
"You know what, it's nice. Most people have been here. It's pretty nice to not have people in town at least one of the three days," said Don Brown, a Belmar resident.
Local business owners said that rain forecasts through midsummer kept most people away.
"I've been here 19 years, this was the first year I ever did better in June than I did in July. June it was way hotter and nicer than it was normally in June," said Jerome Beckman, owner of Beckman Shirts.
Traffic heading down the parkway was light, not your typical rush that we have seen on the long Labor Day weekends in the past.
Still, it has been a hot summer so businesses have done fairly well even though there have been some rainy weekends.
Things are expected to improve by Sunday, so crowds may be waiting until the sun comes out.
Those who live there are enjoying the break from the rush of beach visitors and getting out to enjoy nature.
Some pretty strong waves were spotted rolling ashore. There are not many swimmers in the water but lifeguards are on duty.
There is also plenty of parking, so if you just enjoy looking at the ocean, this is not the worst day.
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