Swifts Beach Races end summer on a competitive note

Sep 4, 2017

The decades-old Labor Day weekend tradition continued in the Swifts Beach community, bringing residents of all ages to compete in field day games on Monday.

The Swifts Beach Annual Labor Day Races usually have a couple hundred people taking part in foot races, a kangaroo race, an egg toss, a one-mile marathon and even a dog race.

Janet Pilleri, the event coordinator, said her favorite thing about the event every year is watching the kids get excited about each event and the prizes they receive.

Grandparents, little kids and dogs stood in a big circle in Joe Conway Memorial Park, surrounding competitors and cheering them on.

“It’s just about families,” Pilleri said. “It brings everybody out, it ends the season well.”

Claire Demeo, who brought her kids to the event, agreed.

“The kids enjoy racing even if they don’t win,” Demeo said. Demeo has been attending the Swifts Beach Races for 15 years and said she sees a lot of the same faces at the event each Labor Day, giving the neighborhood a greater sense of community.

Local businesses donated prizes and snacks for participants so every participant received a small reward for taking part.

“The businesses really stepped up,” Pilleri said. “It’s because of their donating that this happens.”