South Jersey Transportation Authority to kick off 2024 travel season with 100 Days of Summer Party 

The South Jersey Transportation Authority will kick off the 2024 summer season with its annual 100 Days of Summer event at the Farley Service Plaza on the Atlantic City Expressway (Milepost 21.3), from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 24.

Highlighting the day for travelers on the Expressway will be eastbound toll-free passage from 4-5 p.m. at the Egg Harbor Toll Plaza, courtesy of Chickie’s & Pete’s, the Philadelphia-area sports bar and restaurant chain, which is also sending its Crabfries Express food truck to dole out free crab fries throughout the day.

“We’re thrilled to roll out the red carpet for our annual 100 Days of Summer party and invite those visiting Atlantic City and the breathtaking vacation spots along the South Jersey Shore to make the most of our service plaza amenities,” SJTA Executive Director Stephen Dougherty said. “There’s truly something for all ages, from restaurants, a car show, health checkups, artisanal crafts, books, jewelry and even a petting zoo for the kids.”

WlP-FM 94 sports radio and WPHT-AM 1210 talk radio stations will be there for live, remote broadcasts with their radio personalities on hand to give out prizes to lucky winners. Applegreen, operator of the Farley Service Plaza, will be ready selling the smells, tastes and temptations of another Jersey summer, as well as handing out free samples of their delicious goodies sold at the plaza throughout the year.

Ron’s Gardens of Hammonton also returns to the Farley Service Plaza with regular hours during the entire summer offering a wide variety of Jersey Fresh produce, fruits and garden plants in season, a favorite among Shore-bound travelers, especially those spending vacation time at their summer homes or rentals.

The Atlantic City International Airport Fire Department will display and demonstrate some of its trucks and apparatus used to keep the public safe at the airport and in surrounding communities. And the South Jersey Transportation Authority’s READl (Roadway Environmental Advancement Initiative) will feature its conservation and wildlife programs.

Youngsters will also enjoy the chance to visit ambassadors from the Funny Farm, an animal rescue sanctuary that provides a home for unwanted farm and zoo animals. And added this year is the Sidewalk Chalk Fun Zone, where children of all ages can showcase their artistic talents for everyone to see.

Close to 60 businesses, vendors and artists will be participating, including Atlantic Cape Community College, Carmine’s, Comcast, On the Town Food Tours, the Irish Pub, AtlantiCare, Holiday Inn Express, Atlantic County Library System and dozens of local merchants offering gift items, jewelry, clothing among others.

And, new this year is the addition of food trucks to appease any craving, including DonutNV, Mister Softee, CrawDaddy’s Cajun, and TACOS Al Carbon, to name a few.

The Hero Campaign will be showcasing two HERO Patrol Cars. And those who are proud of their classic car are invited to stop by to hang out with other automobile lovers in the designated Cruise Lot area. All cruisers will receive a goodie bag containing a dash plaque, shammy, chip clip and insurance card holder. The first 50 registrants also will receive a commemorative road core celebrating the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Atlantic City Expressway this July.

While at the 100 Days of Summer celebration, visitors are encouraged to check out the Farley Plaza’s 9/11 memorial and the 22-foot brass replica of the Battleship New Jersey built on a 1/48 scale.

And those with pets are welcome to take a pit stop with their furry friends in the secure fenced-in pet walk area. Travelers will find Farley Plaza nestled between the east and westbound lanes of the Expressway in a parklike setting.

The fun starts an hour earlier this year but the excitement will be just the same. Make plans to stop and enjoy another 100 Days of Summer on your way to your favorite vacation destination.