CAPE MAY – Cape May County will host a three-day community festival Friday, May 8 through Sunday, May 10 to honor U.S. Coast Guard personnel and their families for the extraordinary role they play in our nation and community, as well as to celebrate Cape May County’s new designation as a “Coast Guard Community.’
The festival kicks off with a Proclamation Ceremony, where U.S Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul Zukunft will officially present the “Coast Guard Community” designation to the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders and Mayors from the county’s 16 municipalities.
The events schedule is as follows. The public is invited to attend all events, unless a ticketing requirement is noted.
Friday, May 8
Official Proclamation Ceremony ~ Military Parade ~ Flyover
5:30 p.m. – U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May (“TRACEN”) (1 Munro Avenue, Cape May)
Proclamation Ceremony with Military Parade and Flyover.
7 p.m. – Harborview Club at TRACEN
Celebratory Dinner (ticketed event).
Saturday, May 9
Community Festival ~ Ship, Base and Harbor Tours ~ BBQ ~ Live Music ~ Search and Rescue Demos ~ Exhibits and displays ~ Evening Movie and Mixer
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. – U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May (“TRACEN”)
Walking tours of U.S. Coast Guard Ships and trolley tours of the extensive TRACEN base will be available, along with live music, a wide variety of children’s activities and interactive displays, exhibits by cultural and historical groups, non-profits, and the U.S. Coast Guard, and additional vendors. In the afternoon, attendees also may enjoy a BBQ with ales from Cape May Brewery.
Noon – 5 p.m. – Corinthian Yacht Club (1819 Delaware Avenue, Cape May, adjacent to TRACEN)
Tours of Cape May Harbor and commercial fishing facilities via boat will be available.
8 p.m. – Downtown Cape May
The film ‘The Guardian’ will be shown on the beach.
Mingle, and enjoy a concert and local food products at Convention Hall.
Sunday, May 10
Community Festival ~ The last day of the Festival will honor Mother’s Day, our U.S Coast Guard and support personnel.
9 a.m. – Noon – Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal (1200 Lincoln Boulevard, North Cape May, NJ)
Enjoy a special Mother’s Day Kegs ‘n Eggs Sunday Breakfast Buffet for the public and Coast Guard personnel. Call Ferry Terminal Guest Services for prices and reservations at 1-800-643-3779.
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. – Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal Free public outdoor interactive marine exhibits, kids’ activities, Cape May Brewery Beer on tap, on-site paintings, floral displays and more. Includes special support personnel honors, historic exhibits, ferry tours, Coast Guard vessel displays, and maritime non-profit cultural interactive displays on the Ferry Green.
*Events may change and details will be added; check www.CoastGuardCommunity.org for updates.
Cape May County is one of only two counties in the nation that have been awarded the designation “Coast Guard Community.” (Fifteen cities in the nation have earned the designation of “Coast Guard City.”) This designation was sought by the community through a rigorous application process, and was awarded after approval from the United States Coast Guard and United States Congress.
Training Center Cape May (TRACEN), the U.S. Coast Guard’s fifth largest base, is the only venue in the county where Coast Guard recruits receive their basic training. It also includes commands that engage in missions such as vessel support, participation in air/sea rescue, investigative services, communications and homeland security services.
For more information about the Coast Guard Community Festival, visit www.CoastGuardCommunity.org or call Nina Ranalli, Coast Guard Community Festival Director at (609) 425-7650.
Cape May – Governor Murphy says he doesn't know anything about the drones and doesn't know what they are doing but he does know that they are not dangerous. Does anyone feel better now?
