CAPE MAY — High tourism season may be winding down, but Cape May still has a full slate of events happening, many of them free, to celebrate the remainder of its “trifecta” year as fall draws near.
This has been a summer to remember across the country with the nation celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
For Cape May, a city defined by its unique seaside history, the milestone has been even more extraordinary. In addition to the semiquincentennial, Cape May has been celebrating the 175th anniversary of its founding and 50 years since being declared the country’s first and only National Historic Landmark City. The combined milestones have been dubbed “Cape May 2026: A Trifecta of Anniversaries.”
In January, at its annual reorganization meeting, Cape May City Council formed a 2026 Anniversary Task Force to plan how to commemorate this special year. The task force, which included city officials, Cape May MAC (Museums + Arts + Culture) and a cross-section of community groups, businesses and civic-minded people, came up with an extensive calendar of events for 2026.
It included a summer concert series. Mac McAnally, The Stylistics, Joan Osborne, The Spinners, A.J. Croce, The Legendary Wailers and Blue Öyster Cult all performed at Cape Convention Hall.
Other events included fireworks, a drone show, educational programming, branded merchandise and promotional opportunities for local businesses. Many of the events have been free.
A dedicated website, capemayfirstandonly.com, was created to help the public stay engaged with the growing trifecta calendar.
“It’s a hub for the businesses, nonprofits and the city to all come together and provide as much information as possible to the public about their events and programs,” said Kacie Rattigan, director of civic affairs, tourism and marketing for the city of Cape May and a task force member.
Two ongoing free exhibits provide visitors and residents the Cape May story.
According to Susan Krysiak, director of media relations for Cape May MAC, walking through the “Cape May First and Only” exhibit, open in the Carroll Gallery at the Emlen Physick Estate, allows guests to trace how the nation’s first seaside resort has “grown and changed over time.” It’s open through Nov. 2.
Meanwhile an exhibit at the Cape May Welcome Center, open through Dec. 31, presents “Revolutionary Cape May,” exploring the “lesser-known but fascinating tales” of the region’s role in the birth of our nation.
Krysiak said bringing these displays together gives visitors “a rare opportunity to appreciate all at once what many people find so special about Cape May.”
At capemayfirstandonly.com, the 250th, 175th and 50th anniversaries are explained. Events are organized, allowing users to sort them in various ways such as special and continuous, tours, kid-oriented and food and drink. Many events, including murder mystery dinners, boat cruises and guided home tours, cost money, but it also lists free events. A partial list is provided here:
— Lunch & Learn – A Chain of Rebels: Architecture lecture on Frank Furness, Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright noon Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Cape May Lutheran Church. Bring your own lunch.
— Hawaiian Luau: Polynesian music, dance and fire performers at Congress Hall on Thursday, Sept. 3. Arrive at 6 p.m. for complimentary samples and activities. The main performance begins at 7:30 p.m. All are welcome.
— Make Cape May ‘the Merriest Town’: Cape May is a finalist in the Hallmark Channel’s Merriest Christmas Town Contest as included in a list of 25 in the national competition. See merriestchristmastownscontes.hallmarkchannel.com to vote by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Sept 4.
— Rich Reinhart Junior Clamshell Pitching Tournament: Youth competition on Windsor Avenue Beach noon Friday, Sept. 4.
— Bocce Ball Kickoff: Opening of the new courts at Wise-Anderson Park 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5. Open to all ages.
— Car, Truck & Cycle Show: About 200 cool and classic cars are expected at Burke Volkswagen’s annual show 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 5, Stone Harbor Boulevard, Cape May Court House. All proceeds benefit veterans causes.
— Summer Send Off: Live music by Fat Mezz 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, followed by a beach screening of “Endless Summer” on Convention Hall Beach. The American flag will be lowered to mark the end of the summer season.
— Patriot Day 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony: Commemoration hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Cape May and the city honoring victims of the 2001 attacks 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, at Cove Beach on Beach Avenue.
— Colonial House Garden Party: Outdoor celebration with garden refreshments on the Greater Cape May Historical Society Colonial House grounds, 653½ Washington St., 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12. Event marks the inaugural Carolyn Pitts Day honoring her lasting contributions to historic preservation.
— Annual Froth Blowing Competition: A fun contest to see who can blow the foam off a freshly poured beverage at The Ugly Mug noon Sunday, Sept. 13.
— Beyond the Beaches: The Fishing Industry of Cape May: Mark Allen discusses how important fishing is to Cape May, the second-largest commercial fishing port on the East Coast and home to the MidAtlantic Marlin and Tuna tournament, noon Wednesday, Sept. 16. Bring a bag lunch.
— Locals’ Summer Bike Ride: Cyclists are encouraged to tour the city on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Registration opens at 5 p.m.; ride begins at 5:30 p.m. at the Cape May Community Center, 110 Ocean St. Rain date Sept. 17.
— Antique Auto Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the public parking lot next to Collier’s Liquor Store on Jackson Street. Displays of as many as 40 antique and vintage vehicles. Presented by the Jersey Cape Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America.
— Anniversary Scavenger Hunt (Ongoing): If you want to catch the full flavor of trifecta fun, try out the self-guided Anniversary Scavenger Hunt that challenges participants to submit as many as 20 themed photos taken throughout the city. You might win a prize. Visit capemayfirstandonly.com/scavengerhunt.
Just remember that there’s no need to feel left out of the trifecta fun just because your budget is tight or you’ve been too busy this summer. Yes lots of outstanding paid tours and shows are still coming up, but so are plenty of inclusive-to-all free events.
– By JAMES FITZPATRICK/For the Cape May Star and Wave
