Wildwood in the Running for ‘America’s Favorite Small Town’

Wildwood, New Jersey, has reached the final stage of voting in Parade magazine's “America's Favorite Small Town” contest. The Jersey Shore community is one of 40 finalists competing for the national honor.

Timed to the nation's 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the entertainment and lifestyle media company invited towns with populations under 250,000 to compete for recognition.

According to The Patch of Ocean City, New Jersey, the selection of the 40 regional finalists follows months of community voting. Parade's editorial board will select five regional winners — one each from the West, Southwest, Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast — on June 1. The national winner will be named on June 12.

Here's what Parade had to say about the Wildwood community:

“Wildwood stretches along the Jersey Shore with wide, sandy beaches and the colorful boardwalk running parallel to the ocean,” its editors wrote. “The town leans into its summer scene. Arcades, mini-golf, and local eateries draw crowds, while small events like concerts and festivals pop up throughout the season. Outside the peak months, the streets are quieter, but longtime residents keep shops, diners, and the marina active year-round.”

According to Parade, the contest spotlights towns for history, culture, natural beauty, and neighborly spirit.

The national winner of the contest will receive a branded promotional event during the town's Fourth of July festivities, potentially featuring celebrities, sponsor giveaways, and national media coverage.