When you’re talking about nostalgia, people get a little nervous when you want to replace the memory they have with a more modern approach, but there was nothing to worry about along the Doo Wop Highway thanks to Watchfire Signs.
Watchfire Signs was selected by The Greater Wildwood Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) to manufacture a large digital sign for The Wildwoods Grand Gateway, a visitor experience that greets the tourist destination’s nine million annual visitors.
The Wildwoods Grand Gateway welcomes visitors to the New Jersey corridor with a Doo Wop nostalgia themed sign in the shape of a surfboard and a second sign in the shape of a large wave holding up the digital sign.
The Gateway also features an artistic mural on a new pump station wall, and dozens of large Wildwoods signature cement beach ball bollards strategically scattered around the sign and along the corridor.
The new gateway is immediately seen by visitors entering the barrier island in southern New Jersey and plays off the area’s famous mid-century modern architecture.
“We had a static billboard located in that area that we updated every two weeks to keep it current,” said Ben Rose, director of marketing and public relations for The Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority. “We can change messages at any time to keep events current and to display public service information.”
Modern Twist at Historic Spot
The digital sign is used primarily to promote the events taking place throughout the island, inside the Convention Center, along the beach and on the area’s three-mile boardwalk.
It has also been helpful in communicating updated COVID-19 messages, such as social distancing and mask requirements, and will be used for public safety messages, such as hurricane evacuation instructions, if needed.
Rose’s team also gives Watchfire high praise for its ease of use, and the ability to create and schedule messages from anywhere Wifi is available. Although the sign faces west, it remains bright and clear even during the late afternoon and evening.
Upon departure, the backs of the two signs bid farewell to visitors with more ’50s themed messages. The back of the Watchfire sign says “See Ya Later, Alligator,” followed by the surfboard sign’s message, “After A While, Crocodile.”
