Gov. Christie Opens Jersey Shore for the Summer

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie cut a 5-mile long ribbon to officially reopen the Jersey shore for the summer for the first time since Hurricane Sandy caused widespread damage along the entire state.

Memorial Day marks the unofficial first day of summer and merchants along the shore hope that crowds return to the still rebuilding vacation area, according to the Washington Post.

Christie was joined in Seaside Heights by the cast of MTV's "The Jersey Shore" and the band fun. played a free concert on the beach. Reality star Paul "Pauly D" Del Vecchio talked to the Washington Post about how happy he was to see the area revitalized.

"This is known as a happy place," Del Vecchio said. "Right after the storm it was the exact opposite: dead, silent. To see this place being rebuilt makes me happy."

Gov. Christie has been touring the shore all week as merchants prepare for the first big weekend of the summer. Appearing on the "Today" show Christie talked about how important the shore is to residents of the garden state.

"Anybody who lives in New Jersey, the Jersey shore is in your heart," Christie said. "It means everything to our state."

The Jersey shore has a lot more than just a sentimental meaning to the state. According to the Christian Science Monitor the shore brings in about $19 billion a year in tourism. A profitable summer will help the area in its rebuilding efforts. Mark Tenore, a business man in Seaside Heights, said that they aren't off to a good start thanks to the weather this spring.

"We really need a good summer because our spring business was so far down," Tenore told the Christian Science Monitor.

Kevin Stewart owns JR's Ocean bar & Grill on the boardwalk of Seaside Heights. Stewart was very optimistic that the town had recovered sufficiently to have a successful tourist season.

"If we get good weather, the people will still come here," Stewart told the Washington Post. "Ninety percent of better of this town is rebuilt and ready to go. At the end of the day, this just might work."

Deena Cortese, a cast member on "The Jersey Shore" whose exploits helped make Seaside Heights well known across the country, hopes all of the crowds will return this summer.

"It's kinda like a family on the boardwalk here," Cortese told the Washington Post. "Everybody needs to come this summer, especially for them."

Real Time Analytics