Headed Down the Shore? Chickie’s and Pete’s is Paying Everyone’s Tolls and Handing Out Crab Fries For “Free Toll Friday”

Headed down the shore this weekend? Well, Chickie’s & Pete’s wants to help pick up your tab. Toll tab that is.  Once again Chickie’s & Pete’s is is teaming up with the South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) and the Atlantic City Expressway to kick-off the summer by paying travelers tolls Memorial Day Weekend. Chickie’s and Pete’s will be paying tolls (cash and EZ Pass) for all drivers at the Eastbound Egg Harbor, New Jersey Toll Plaza Exit on Free Toll Friday, May 24, from 4:00pm to 5:00pm.

Earlier that afternoon, Chickie’s and Pete’s countdown with family fun from 10:00am to 3:00pm at Farley Plaza – including giving away complimentary orders of their world famous Crabfries®. There will also an outdoor celebration with complimentary food and drink from Hershey’s Ice Cream, Mars, Carlo’s Bakery, Applegreen and Monster Energy Drink. The celebration will also include The Funny Farm rescue sanctuary, dalmatian puppies for puppy meet and greets, New Jersey State Police K9 dog team, Atlantic City International Airport Fire and Rescue Equipment, and dozens of other organizations, vendors, artists and exhibitors.

“Free Toll Friday is one of my favorite summertime traditions,” said Chickie’s & Pete’s Chairman and CEO Pete Ciarrocchi. “It’s a great way to thank all those who have supported us over the years and kick off the summer in a fun way. It also signifies the official start to summer!”

Chickie’s & Pete’s is also joining forces with local charity, The Patriot Fund this Memorial Day Weekend which “works to provide a world where our heroic Veterans can return from duty proactively supported psychologically, emotionally, socially, and financially as they and their families re-engage into civilian life.”  When you order Chickie’s “Patriot Punch” cocktail Memorial Day Weekend, a portion of all proceeds will be donated to The Patriot Fund.

Ciarrocchi chose Memorial Day Weekend to pay the tolls as a way to honor his family’s military tradition. “My Dad and my Uncles were all in the military,” said Ciarrocchi. “In fact, my Uncle George, who was my restaurant mentor, won the Silver Star for bravery. He was quite the guy, and I couldn’t think of a better way to honor him.”

For this annual summer kick-off, there are far more than just free tolls that make up the Chickie’s & Pete’s/ South Jersey Transportation Authority celebration at the Frank S. Farley Plaza. The 100 Days of Summer Party runs from 10:00am to 3:00pm as a lead up to the magic hour. Everyone is invited to stop by and enjoy Crabfries from the Chickie’s & Pete’s Food Truck as well as complimentary food and beverages courtesy of Hershey’s Ice Cream, Mars, Carlo’s Bakery and treats from Applegreen (the food service operator at the Farley Service Plaza right on the Atlantic City Expressway at Milepost 21.3). Monster Energy Drink will also be there with samplings to help refresh and invigorate the crowd.

WlP Sports Radio and WPHT 1210 Talk Radio will be there for live, remote broadcasts with their radio personalities on hand to give out prizes to lucky winners. Applegreen, operator of the Farley Service Plaza, will be ready selling the smells, tastes and temptations of another Jersey summer as well as handing out samples of their delicious goodies sold at the plaza throughout the year.

Ron’s Gardens of Hammonton also returns to the Farley Service Plaza with regular hours during the entire summer offering a wide variety of JERSEY FRESH® produce, fruits and garden plants in season, a favorite among shore-bound travelers, especially those spending vacation time at their summer homes or rentals.

The Atlantic City International Airport Fire Department will display and demonstrate some of its trucks and apparatus used to keep the public safe at the airport and in surrounding communities. And the South Jersey Transportation Authority’s READl (Roadway Environmental Advancement Initiative) will feature its conservation and wildlife programs.

Youngsters will also enjoy the chance to visit ambassadors from the Funny Farm, an animal rescue sanctuary that provides a home for unwanted farm and zoo animals. And added this year is the Sidewalk Chalk Fun Zone where children of all ages can showcase their artistic talents for everyone to see.

Close to 60 businesses, vendors, and artists will be participating including Atlantic Cape Community College, Carmine’s, Comcast, On the Town Food Tours, The Irish Pub, AtlantiCare, Holiday Inn Express, Atlantic County Library System, and dozens of local merchants offering gift items, jewelry, clothing, among others. And new this year is the addition of food trucks to appease any craving, including DonutNV, Mister Softee, CrawDaddy’s Cajun, and TACOS Al Carbon, to name a few.

The Hero Campaign will be showcasing two HERO Patrol Cars. And those who are proud of their classic car are invited to stop by to hang out with other automobile lovers in the designated Cruise Lot area. All cruisers will receive a goodie bag containing a dash plaque, shammy, chip clip, and an insurance card holder. The first 50 registrants will also receive a commemorative road core celebrating the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Atlantic City Expressway this July.

While at the 100 Days of Summer celebration, visitors are encouraged to check out the Farley Plaza’s 9/11 memorial and the 22-foot brass replica of the Battleship New Jersey built on a 1/48 scale. And those with pets are welcome to take a pitstop with their furry friends in the secure fenced-in pet walk area. Travelers will find Farley Plaza nestled between the east and westbound lanes of the Expressway in a parklike setting.

“We’re thrilled to roll out the red carpet for our annual 100 Days of Summer party and invite those visiting Atlantic City and the breathtaking vacation spots along the South Jersey shore to make the most of our service plaza amenities,” said SJTA Executive Director Stephen F. Dougherty. “There’s truly something for all ages from restaurants, car show, health check-ups, artisanal crafts, books, jewelry, and even a petting zoo for the kids.”