The Bicentennial was the celebration of the century. A huge flotilla of 113 sailing ships paraded into NY Harbor, including 16 of the largest tall ships still on the seas. The fireworks were over the top, and each town celebrated America’s 200th Birthday of Independence in their own way. Local celebrations were blamed for a slow season at the beach. Some businesses at the shore complained 1975’s summer movie Jaws impacted rentals for 1976.
A renewed celebration of history was kindled, and many Historical Societies were founded. Sea Girt had a parade featuring their new $58,000 firetruck #55 and a renewal of Big Sea Day. Elton John’s Philadelphia Freedom was the summer single, and Rocky punched his way to the top of the box office.
Kids painted fire hydrants all over the county. The Water Companies and the Fire Departments discouraged the practice to no avail
Inflation continued. Howard Johnon’s struggled. Their all-you-can-eat fish fry was held to $1.99, but the clam strip dinner went up to $2.99. The chain, which expanded dramatically in the 1960s, was running out of steam. Howard Johnson died, and his son sold out to private equity for $680 million. They went from 1,000 restaurants to 0. It took until 2021, with the last NJ restaurant closing on the Asbury Boardwalk, but the 28 flavors on Rt. 35 in Wall (Siam Basil) was shut down in 1978.
HoJos postcard notes their specialties ice cream and Ipswich clams
The boardwalk repair had passed a referendum. Engineers for the Federal Government asked that south of Philadelphia, the boardwalk jog westward a few feet more. This excited beachfront homeowners who did not want further encroachment toward their property. The engineers felt that moving the walkway toward the land would save the pilings in a storm. Seven homeowners in the park went to court as they did when the initial boardwalk was proposed in the 1920s.
Others argued that the town should re-utilize the good boards in sections slated for replacement. Matthew Ciricolo and the Independent Party argued that the town should save money where it could, despite the referendum and the bond issuance.
A few weeks before Election Day, a student of SGES wrote a letter to Borough Council, signed by 134 students. It was handwritten by an unidentified 10-year-old and was addressed: "Dear Borough Hall" and stated (with misspellings), "The students of Sea Girt Elementary School think it is not fair to have a curfeu on Halloween. It is a holiday, and we think you should break the curfeu until 9:30."
Borrough Council had no choice but to accommodate the request.
Sweaty plastic masks were common