THIS WEEKEND: Music, Festivals, & More

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out some of the fun going on at the shore!
Cape May’s Annual Spring Festival
April 25th – May 4th
Where: Throughout Cape May
Celebrate the beauty of spring during Cape May’s 19th annual Spring Festival, co-sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) and the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May.
Experience this National Historic Landmark City’s charm and discover its fresh flavors, fascinating history and lively culture during the 10-day springtime celebration from April 25 to May 4. Taste innkeepers’ signature desserts during the Chocolate Championship Tour & Tasting, learn about the fascinating role fire has played in reshaping the city of Cape May in a new exhibit at the Carriage House Gallery, or enjoy lunch or afternoon tea at the newly reopened Carriage House Café & Tearoom. Step inside Cape May’s private residences for special house tours, hear spooky stories on a ghost tour or discover local gardens. You can enjoy a weekend devoted to fun with your girlfriends during Girlfriends Getaway weekend, attend a murder mystery dinner, and much more. For information about MAC’s schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org.
9th Annual Sensational Spring Weekend Celebration
Friday-Saturday, April 25th & 26th
Where: Wildwoods Convention Center and throughout the Wildwoods
The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce presents the 9th Annual Sensational Spring Weekend Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 in the Wildwoods – a two-day celebration paying tribute to 60s and 70s Rock ‘n Roll music.
The fun begins Fri. night, April 25, inside the Wildwoods Convention Center with a Dance Party featuring the David Christopher Band, guaranteed to get everyone moving and grooving to classic oldies from the 60s, 70s and early 80s. The Dance Party takes place from 7 to 11 p.m. and admission is $15 per person.
Sat., April 26 will feature an afternoon of outdoor fun and music during the free Sensational Spring Street Fair at Fox Park, located across from the Wildwoods Convention Center on Ocean Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Street Fair will include live entertainment throughout the day, a classic car show, a Doo-Wop ‘50s Bus Tour and a variety of vendors offering oldies memorabilia, merchandise, many delicious food options and much more.
Sat. evening at 7 p.m., the weekend’s featured event – the Sensational Spring Concert – will take place in the Oceanfront Arena at the Wildwoods Convention Center. The star-studded musical line-up for the night includes Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels (“Devil With the Blue Dress On”, Sock It To Me-Baby”, ” Jenny Take a Ride”, “Good Golly Miss Molly”), Mark Farner formerly of Grand Funk Railroad (We’re An American Band”, “Some Kind Of Wonderful”, “Heartbreaker”, “I’m Your Captain”) and Jefferson Starship celebrating their 40th Anniversary (“Somebody to Love”, “White Rabbit”, “Volunteers”, “Jane”).Ticket prices are $49.50 per person for stadium seating and $65.50 per person for floor seating.
For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.gwcoc.com, 3306 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood or call 609-729-4000. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or 800-745-3000. A limited number of tickets will be available at the Wildwoods Convention Center Box Office the weekend of the event.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
Friends of the Physick Estate present “A Royal-Tea”
Friday, April 25th from 3 to 5 p.m.
Where: Carriage House Cafe & Tearoom – 1048 Washington St, Cape May
Dress for tea and join the Friends of the Physick Estate for an afternoon of all things British, including a trivia contest about British royals, past and present, accompanied by a relaxing afternoon tea at the Carriage House Café & Tearoom, 1048 Washington St., Part of the Girlfriends Getaway Weekend sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities(MAC). For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.
9th Annual Sensational Spring Weekend Celebration
Friday-Saturday, April 25th & 26th
Where: Wildwoods Convention Center – 4501 Boardwalk, Wildwood
The Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce presents the 9th Annual Sensational Spring Weekend Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26 in the Wildwoods – a two-day celebration paying tribute to 60s and 70s Rock ‘n Roll music.
For additional information or to purchase tickets, visit www.gwcoc.com, 3306 Pacific Avenue, Wildwood or call 609-729-4000. Tickets are also available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations or 800-745-3000. A limited number of tickets will be available at the Wildwoods Convention Center Box Office the weekend of the event.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
Step into Spring 5K/Run Walk
Saturday, April 26th from 7 to 11 a.m.
Where: Music Pier – Moorlyn Terrace and Boardwalk, Ocean City
Registration begins at 7 a.m. in front of the Music Pier. The Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m. Proceeds benefit the Betsy Young Memorial Foundation & Abramson Cancer Center of Philadelphia. To register online, visit http://www.active.com/ocean-city-nj/running/races/step-into-spring-5k-2014 or for more information call 609-233-9020.
Spring Flower Festival
Saturday, April 26th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Rotary Park – Lafayette St between Decatur and Jackson, Cape May
For the 35th year, the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May will transform Cape May’s Rotary Park into an open-air marketplace for the Spring Flower Festival April 26 (rain date April 27). This free outdoor event will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features artisans and crafters displaying and selling accents and accessories for you, your home and your gardens as well as eco-friendly resources to help promote a Green Cape May. Rotary Park is located on Lafayette Street between Decatur and Jackson Streets.
Earth Day Fair
Saturday, April 26th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Cape May County Park and Zoo, Cape May Court House
The Cape May County Earth Day Fair is shaping up to be more than just a day in the park with eco-friendly events and spirited competition at one celebration sponsored by the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders.
Cape May County Park and Zoo located at Rt. 9 and Crest Haven Rd. will host the eco-activities on Saturday, April 26, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees at the Earth Day event will be treated to live music, an interactive drum circle, hands-on educational exhibits, an environmental magic show, craft and food vendors and more.
The day will start off with a 5K Earth Day Race and 1 Mile Fun Run beginning at 8:30 a.m. Prizes will be awarded for the top three finishers in each age group in both male and female divisions. T-shirts will also be provided to the first 150 participants. Registration for the race and fun run will be $15 in advance or $20 on the day of the race. All proceeds from the Earth Day race will benefit the Cape May County Park and Zoo Trust Fund.
To participate in this celebration as a sponsor or a vendor, please visit www.capemaycountygov.net, or call the Cape May County Zoo at (609) 465-5271 for more information.
Annual Spring Boutique & Gold Sale
Saturday, April 26th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Ocean City Masonic Lodge – 10th & Wesley Ave, Ocean City
The Order of the Eastern Star Ocean City #83 will hold its Annual Spring Boutique and Gold Sale on Saturday, April 26. It will be held at the Ocean City Masonic Lodge, 10th and Wesley Avenue in O.C. Unique wares such as women’s accessories, jewelry, make up, handbags teas, chocolate and gently used and new clothing items will be available for purchase. Bring your broken or bent gold or silver, in any condition, and our gold buyer will buy it for cash. A portion of the gold sale will go to the Chapter in support of the various charities with whom the OES #83 is involved. For information call Bonnie 609-398-4272.
Miss Precious Gem Pageant
Sunday, April 27th from 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Middle Township PAC – 212 Bayberry Dr, Cape May Court House
Step aside Miss America. Here comes the Miss Precious Gem Pageant.
Kay Aspell, managing director of The Performing Arts Center of Middle Township, has announced that the PAC will host South Jersey’s first Miss Precious Gem Pageant for special needs girls between the ages of 10 and 18 on April 27, at 4 p.m. Age divisions will be 8-10, 11-14, and 15-18 years. Although it is not being officially presented by the Miss America Pageant, the event is being produced by former winners, directors and others affiliated with that pageant.
Each contestant will be assigned a mentor, a former winner of a Miss America event, who will aid the contestant in the various categories of competition including interviews, personality, talent, casual wear, evening wear and stage presence. Every contestant will receive an award, including a tiara, flowers and a certificate, and the grand prize winners of each age category will also be given a scholarship.
Nature Photography Walk
Sunday, April 27th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Cape May NWR Two Mile Beach Unit – 12001 Pacific Ave, Wildwood Crest
Do you have a natural curiosity as to which plants, insects, and birds inhabit the Cape May National Wildlife Refuge (Two Mile Beach Unit)? Come join Friends of Cape May NWR volunteers Joe Alvarez and Chris Borkowski for a nature photography walk at Cape May NWR (Two Mile Beach Unit) April 27 at 9:00 a.m., starting at the Visitor Contact Station, located at 12001 Pacific Ave., Wildwood Crest. Sponsored by the Friends of Cape May NWR, this walk will explore dune and marsh habitats for songbirds, wading birds, plants, and insects to photograph. This walk is free and open to the public. No pre-registration is required. Bring your camera! The trails are well-maintained and easy to walk but may be wet in spots. Dress for the weather; heavy rain will cancel the event. For more information or directions, call 609-513-9349.
For more information about these, and other community events, see the Herald’s online calendar.
Be sure to visit DoTheShore.com for more information about entertainment happenings and nightlife.