Cape May Harbor Fest to be Held June 13-14

CAPE MAY – June 14, 2014, the Nature Center of Cape May will again be the focal point of the City’s annual Harbor Fest celebration. Originally conceived as a means to raise the funds necessary to remove derelict vessels from the harbor, Harbor Fest has evolved into an annual celebration of the harbor, its culture, ecology, and the bounty that this precious resource provides to our City and region.
What is being planned by the Nature Center:
• Harbor Fest begins with a Friday evening (June 13th) “Blessing of the Waters” ceremony at the Fisherman’s Memorial. This ecumenical ceremony commemorates the loss of local fishermen while asking for blessings for a safe fishing and boating season. (See attached flyer)
• As usual, Harbor Fest Saturday (June 14th) will be defined by a plethora of special children programs and activities including: arts and crafts, games, and a “Cornhole” tournament all of which will be held on the Nature Center lawn. Other planned activities include: Explore the Shore, featuring seining on the harbor; critter talks in the lab, the always popular, “Coastie Corner,” and even a visit by none other than, Santa Claus!
• This year’s Harbor Fest will feature two very special book signings from 2 to 4. Local reporter Carolyn Miller’s Counting the Fish in the Sea is a non-fiction book for children 8-12 that tells the true story of how researchers are figuring out just how much wildlife is really in the sea. Doug Campbell’s Rescue of the Bounty recounts the true life drama surrounding the loss of Bounty during Hurricane Sandy.
• Sea food will again take center stage at the Nature Center when the world famous Lobster House sets up its raw bar. At 11 and 1 the “Lazy Chef” will demonstrate “no-hassle” cooking methods utilizing “under-utilized” local seafood species.
• Nothing blends purpose and fun better than Paddle for a Purpose (*). Paddle a kayak, canoe or SUP through our local marshes all for the Purpose of raising funds to enable Coast Guard Dependent children to attend summer nature camp. Meet the other paddlers across from the Nature Center at 1:00.
• For the second year, legendary “Philly Bill Culp” of Distinct Events Unlimited, will broadcast his Saturday “Down the Shore with Philly Bill” program on WIBBAGE” radio, 94.3. Additional live music will be provided by Cape May’s own “Singer Song Writers” beginning at 2:00 with Gordon Vincent on the Nature Center deck. The Square follows Gordon at 3:00 and Roy Baker wraps up at 4.
• After “Philly Bill” finishes his live broadcast, a naturalist from the Cape May Bird Observatory will offer a special program featuring our favorite local avian, the Osprey, from the deck of the Nature Center!
• Saturday culminates with a live water rescue demonstration by the Townbank Fire Department. The department will also showcase their new fireboat. After all, Harbor Fest first and foremost showcases Cape May’s harbor as an engine for economic activity and aquatic recreation.
Since its inception as a whaling village in the 17th Century, Cape May’s economy and culture has been linked to the sea. But with the promise comes a challenge. Harbor Fest is intended to heighten awareness and appreciation of this fragile resource. Additional information about Harbor Fest is available on the web: www.capemayharborfestival.com.
(*) “Paddling for a Purpose” sponsorship dollars are earmarked for the Nature Center’s Good Neighbor Fund, which provides summer program scholarships for Coast Guard dependent children.