Jersey Shore embraces America 250 with patriotic beach tags for summer 2026

If you’re heading to the Jersey Shore this summer, expect to see plenty of red, white and blue — not just on towels and umbrellas, but on beach tags.

Many shore towns are rolling out new designs celebrating America’s 250th birthday that is part of a growing push tied to the America 250 initiative.

Machines are running and workers are busy assembling the tags as the summer season approaches.

The tags are produced at the Jersey Cape Life Empowerment Hub in Cape May County where production ramps up ahead of Memorial Day weekend.

“This is full speed ahead time,” Autumn O’Feery said. “Everyone went heavy on the American flag in red, white and blue.”

Jersey Cape Life Empowerment Hub is a nonprofit based in Middletown Township that employs people with various disabilities. Workers there say the patriotic theme is bringing added excitement to the job.

“They see a lot of tags each day but I think with the new tags and the new designs, they kind of get excited,” Brittney Guthrie said.

Many of the tags feature artwork highlighting the nation’s milestone anniversary — something workers say resonates personally.

“It salutes America,” said Travis MacLane of Palermo, NJ.

“With the fireworks,” MacLane added. “Makes me excited.”

The trend began months ago, when some shore towns started placing orders for America 250-themed tags.

“It was kind of like this big influence of, oh, well, we want to do that too for this big celebration. So it’s just kind of grown from there,” Guthrie said.

Jersey Cape has been producing beach tags for more than 50 years — a seasonal staple now doubling as a tribute to 250 years of American history.

This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC Philadelphia. AI tools helped convert the story to a digital article, and an NBC Philadelphia journalist edited the article for publication.