The City of Wildwood's Historic Preservation Commission meeting on July 24, 2025, focused on planning two significant community events: the Back to School Party and Celebrate Wildwood. The discussions highlighted the need for volunteer engagement and innovative ideas to enhance participation and community involvement.

The Back to School Party, scheduled for August 15, aims to serve as a primary youth engagement opportunity. Organizers are excited to reintroduce popular activities such as the Zombie Road beanbag toss and the Lincoln Log Challenge. The commission is also looking to incorporate historic preservation planning into the event, seeking creative ways to engage youth and gather their input.

Celebrate Wildwood is another major event on the horizon, requiring full participation from commission members. Last year’s event faced challenges due to insufficient volunteer support, which hindered the execution of planned activities. This year, the commission is emphasizing the importance of having enough volunteers to ensure all activities can take place smoothly. The event will also serve as a platform for further engagement in the historic preservation planning efforts.

The commission discussed the possibility of a parade during Celebrate Wildwood, considering options for floats and other creative elements. Ideas included incorporating vintage cars and possibly a horse-drawn carriage to enhance the parade's appeal. Members were encouraged to brainstorm and submit suggestions for the parade and overall event planning.

In conclusion, the Historic Preservation Commission is gearing up for a busy season of community engagement through these events. The success of both the Back to School Party and Celebrate Wildwood will depend on active participation from volunteers and innovative planning to foster community spirit and involvement in historic preservation efforts.