"What the hell took you so long to get to Atlantic City?"
That was the first question Mayor Marty Small had for the "Jersey Shore" cast as Atlantic City celebrated the show's first official filming.
Small pointed out the contributions the cast has made to the city, from "DJ Pauly D" DelVecchio's residencies to Vinny Guadagnino's recent performances with the Chippendales.
It's also where Jenni “JWoww” Farley also made "the backhand famous," Small said, referring to the group's Atlantic City visit when Farley smacked Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino.
But this is the first time the MTV show — which returned in 2018 as "Jersey Shore: Family Vacation" — has filmed in what the mayor called "the real city at the Jersey Shore."
Small declared Sept. 22 "Jersey Shore Day" — or "JerzDay" — with copies of proclamations for each of the cast members.
"While others have turned the 'Jersey Shore' cast away, we have always welcomed them to the city of Atlantic City with open arms," Small said, before instructing the crowd gathered on the Boardwalk outside the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino to open their arms.
"In the last 15 years, this group has made New Jersey proud with strength, perseverance, family values, gym, tan, laundry," he said, invoking the show's famous catchphrase.
"And, more importantly, Sam's back," Small added, referring to the return of Sammi "Sweetheart" Giancola, who is one of two cast members from New Jersey.
"Atlantic City's large beautiful free beaches that stand out from all other beaches," the mayor read, mentioning Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi who later repeated her infamous "Where's the beach?" line.
We always dreamt of this day," DelVecchio said. "Now we have our own holiday."
