Itâs two days before the season opening of Moreyâs Piers, three boardwalk amusement parks in The Wildwoods, a New Jersey seaside resort about 90 miles outside Philadelphia. On this April afternoon, stands are being stocked with candy and stuffed animals at Moreyâs Surfside Pier, and the famous Curleyâs Fries have drawn the attention of the bird population. A sweet scent on the breeze suggests that the funnel cake fryer is also getting a test run.
At one of the games, seasonal employees are learning what to say and how to respond to customers, whether they win or not. An enthusiastic trainer gives them tips on how to get visitorsâ attention despite the myriad distractions on the pier.