THIS WEEKEND: Hydroplane Racing, Italian Festival

This weekend, Cape May County comes alive with the sweet sounds and spicy smell of Italian cuisine and music and the high horsepower roar of hydroplanes.
Sunset Lake in Wildwood Crest, located at Rambler Road and New Jersey Avenue, is the location for a weekend of high-speed, pulse-pounding action featuring powerboats reaching speeds up to 140 mph during the New Jersey Governor’s Cup Hydrofest – Sat, Oct. 1 and Sunday, Oct. 2.
The Wildwoods’ Hydrofest features hydroplane and flat-bottom race boats taking to the water for a series of high-speed races along the bay at Sunset Lake with boats reaching a gut-wrenching 80 to 140 mph. Each race is comprised of four laps over a one-mile oval course, presenting a challenge of driving skill and timing for the racers and their sleek, high powered vessels.
The Wildwoods’ Hydrofest is sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association and the Canadian Boating Federation. This year’s event will feature over 70 powerboat teams from both the United States and Canada competing for national and international honors.
The stakes are even higher at this year’s Hydrofest as the event is now home to the New Jersey Governor’s Cup and this year’s North American Championship – two prestigious titles all powerboat racing teams strive to hold.
High-speed powerboat races begin at 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Wildwoods’ Hydrofest will also offer a six-block marketplace featuring powerboat racing merchandise, craft vendors and food vendors from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on both days. The event is free for spectators.
Special pit passes for Hydrofest are available for $10 and allow pass-holders access to the pit area to meet the racers and to get an up-close look at the powerboats. VIP tickets can be purchased for $30, which allows access to the VIP tent, giving fans a prime viewing area with seating, access to the pits, and refreshments.
For additional information about the Wildwoods New Jersey Governor’s Cup Hydrofest, visit www.WildwoodsHydrofest.com or call 609-886-8156.
In Wildwood, the Sons of Italy bring back the feeling of “Olde World Italy” with the 6th annual Wildwood Olde Time Italian Festival Fri., Sept. 30 and Sat., Oct. 1 in Fox Park, located on Ocean Avenue between Burk and Montgomery Avenues across from the Wildwoods Convention Center.
The free two-day festival celebrates Italian culture with contests, crafts, rides and games for the little ones, authentic Italian cuisine and continuous free live entertainment.
Take in the mouth-watering smells and tastes of an olde world Italian Market plus Italian made goods, crafts and merchandise as vendors of all kinds fill Fox Park, including those selling Italian food favorites including pastas, sausages, chicken cutlets, clams & spaghetti, tiramisu, cannolis and more.
The Olde Time Italian Festival will kick off on Fri., Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. with the Procession of Saints Mass. free live music will begin Friday night at 6 p.m. featuring Idea 71, The Accords, 45 RPM and Emil Stuccio, and The Classics.
Saturday’s free live entertainment will feature Wayne & Jamie and The Aquanets, Idea 71, FM Band, Tre Bella, Tommy Mara and The Crest, and The Duprees. Saturday’s festivities will also include a hands-free spaghetti eating contest set to begin at 5 p.m.
For additional information about this event please call 609-374-0016 or visit www.soiwildwoods.com.