Final Goodbye to Historic Jersey Shore Landmark
It’s all over. An iconic New Jersey Amusement park is shutting down all of its rides and games for the final time. We’ve known for a while, but that doesn’t make it any easier than what was and is a family tradition and institution that will no longer be in operation.
Jersey Shore Landmark Closes
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier on the Ocean City New Jersey boardwalk is shut down for good. It is hard to believe. Ocean City is one of the most popular vacation spots not only in New Jersey but throughout the world.
Ocean City prides itself, among other things, on being a family-friendly dry town. No alcohol is sold within the city which helps it making it a wholesome place where parents want to take their children and families. So it’s inexplicable why such a popular and welcoming town can’t support such a family and kid-friendly amusement park.
When I was a kid we went to Atlantic City for our summer vacations. This was before the casino and gambling invasion of the nineteen seventies. The rare times I visit Atlantic City now for a show, it’s rather depressing. My memory of Atlantic City back then is sort of a combination of Wildwood and Ocean City. It had all the games and rides and was family-friendly enough that I could walk the boardwalk at eight or nine years old without my parents concerned about my safety.
Gillian’s Wonderland Pier on the Ocean City New Jersey boardwalk has been a popular attraction since it opened nearly a hundred years ago. The amusement pier was founded in 1965 by former Ocean City Mayor Roy Gillian. Mr. Gillian passed away only two months ago at the age of 94. No doubt he was happy to see his amusement park remain open all these years. However, that doesn’t make it any easier for those who grew up with the historical pier and have continued to enjoy it with their children and grandchildren through the years.
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It brings you to tears seeing all the photo memories and thank you posts that have been shared on Gillian’s Facebook page. Posts like “Thank you for the most magical spot on the ocean city boardwalk! I thoroughly enjoyed it in my childhood, and so did my children” fill the page. Gillian’s heartfelt responses include, “We are incredibly overwhelmed by all the love and support from our loyal guests.”
A letter on their website written by Jay Gillian, son of Roy and current Ocean City Mayor reads “After 47 years working on the Ocean City Boardwalk, I have little choice but to retire and close Gillian’s Wonderland Pier and 6th Street Pizza and Grill, embarking on a new chapter in my life. The memories I’ve made with my family and the joy of meeting so many wonderful team members and guests will always hold a special place in my heart.” He continues, “The 94 years of tradition at Gillian’s amusements on the Boardwalk have been cherished by so many people, none more than me. It’s been my life, my legacy, and my family. It’s sad to let go.”
The “final rides” are being enjoyed today, and Gillian’s Wonderland Pier closes at 6 pm this evening, October 13, 2024.
I wonder if I will live to see the day when other historic and legendary attractions like Morey’s Pier in Wildwood or Jenkinson’s in Point Pleasant Beach close their doors, I hope not.
Just like the now-defunct Atlantic City Steel Pier from my childhood, Gillian’s will now be closed forever. However, many are hopeful that it will one day open again for all to enjoy again.
New Study Ranks New Jersey's Most Popular NFL Snacks
12. Mozzarella Sticks
Delicious breaded mozzarella cheese sticks with marinara dipping sauce.
Starting off the list are Mozzarella Sticks, returning an average search volume of 620. Trust me, that count is pretty low, you’ll see as we go further down the list. Were most of you upset like I was? Mozzarella sticks are a SOLID #5, and CERTAINLY better than the #9 spot, but we will get to that…
11. Hot Dog
Delicious chili hot dogs with cheddar cheese and diced onions next to hot dogs grilling on a flaming hot barbecue
Probably one of the most versatile on the 12 on this list, you can put almost anything on a hot dog and it will taste good. We don’t even really know what it’s made of, but we don’t care! Grilled, fried, even MICROWAVED, it all tastes good! Unfortunately, it did not “cut the mustard”, only returning a search volume of 1,010.
10. Pizza
Slice of pizza with pepperoni, olives and green peppers on a serving utensil. Closeup of a cheese pull
Honestly surprising this ended up so high (or low) on the list. With an average of 3,161 pizza places in the state, NOT including chains, Pizza is a readily available option for New Jersey residents. Maybe that’s the problem..it’s readily available. Why go out of your way to get it every Sunday? Another versatile food option, it only returned an average search count of 1,020 — just 10 more than the hot dog. What’s even more surprising is that pizza ranked LAST among footballs fans on average across the country.
9. Popcorn
A wooden bowl of salted popcorn at the old wooden table. Dark background. selective focus.
Returning an average search count of 1,040, this is controversial (at least for me). THIS should be the #12 spot. It’s a movie food! When the game is on, my first instinct is not “Can’t wait to chow down on some popcorn, and get kernels in my teeth”. With that said, I still endure, and I still eat it when it’s around. Butter, Caramel, Cheddar…it’s all good.
8. Potato Skins
Delicious homemade potato skins with melted cheese, bacon, green onions and sour cream.”n
Now we start seeing pretty big jumps in the search count. This bar classic returned an average search count of 1,420. If you find an arrangement of sauces these make a delicious edition to any Football night snacks arrangement.
7. Chips & Dips
Bag chips doritos pattern top view on blue background
Talk about versatility! How many brands, styles, and flavors of chips are there out in the world? How many brands, styles, and flavors of dip are out there? Are you a Doritos person, or a Lay’s person? Are you the one guy who brought Fritos!? Do you like the punch of a spicy salsa? or the smooth flavor of ranch? Personally, grab a Jar of Tostino’s Queso Blanco and I can dip a piece of cardboard in it. I think it’s THAT good! Others agree chips and dip are a staple in the house, returning an average search count of 1,740.
6. Pretzels
Homemade Soft Pretzels with Salt Ready to Eat
The cousin to the chip, the Pretzel returned with a score of 2,010. Whether you enjoy the hard, bite-sized pretzels from a bag, the big and soft salted pretzels, or even the sticks that are perfect for dipping. Pretzels start off the list of the top 6!
5. BBQ Ribs
Barbecue Ribs With Sauсes Closeup. Man’s Hand With Spareribs. High Resolution
The messiest option, but always savory, BBQ ribs jump FAR ahead of the #6 spot with 2,770 for an average search volume. Just make sure you have a napkin on standby…
4. Chicken Wings
A variety of flavors of jumbo chicken Wings and ranch
Another large jump in average search volume, Chicken Wings are another snack that provides a medley of options. Boneless, or bone-In? And if you like bone-in, do you like flats or sticks?
Do you like Buffalo, BBQ, or Garlic Parmesan? In New Jersey, Chicken Wings had an average search volume of 3,420!3. Meatballs
A platter of delicious sweet and spicy meatballs.
Taking home the bronze medal, meatballs step away from the spaghetti dish and plant themselves in the third-place spot for your Sunday snack lineup! Meatballs returned and an average search volume of 5,450! What’s great about the meatball (other than everything), is when you get tired of using a fork, just plop one of those bad boys on a sub roll and you have yourselves a sandwich!
2. Nachos
Beef and cheese corn nachos served on a big plate ready to eat – Image
The runner-up goes to the reliable nacho! Now, I know what you might be thinking, and no, nachos do not count as “chips and dip”. The reason for that…presentation. Nachos are more than just chips and cheese, it’s chips, cheese, salsa, sour cream, peppers, olives, and occasionally, pork, all blissfully blended in one. Nachos returned an average search volume of 13,130!
1. Sliders
Two homemade beef burgers with mushrooms, micro greens, red onion, fried eggs and beet sauce on wooden cutting board. Side view, close up
New Jersey’s top spot goes to Sliders! Sliders returned the largest average search volume with 17,050! Sliders have gotten more creative through the years. But I’m a big proponent of keeping it simple. A nice medium-rare with cheese, ketchup, and onions, and I’m set!
Overall, sliders were the most popular snack choice for the country!
