Cape May to Celebrate Henry Hudson’s 400th Anniversary

CAPE MAY — Almost 400 years ago, explorer Henry Hudson got his ship, the Half Moon, stuck in a sandbar off Cape May Point in Delaware Bay and in the process discovered Cape May and the surrounding areas.
Depending on which history book you read, Hudson either never left his boat or came ashore to trade with Native Americans. He was searching for a direct route from Europe to Asia by water but North America was blocking his path.
In any case, next year, Cape May will celebrate the 400th Anniversary of Hudson’s sail around the cape with a variety of events and activities. The official anniversary of Hudson’s offshore stop is Aug. 28.
Resident Bob Elwell, co-chair of the 400th Anniversary Committee, stopped by city council’s Oct. 27 meeting and generated a boatload of ideas from the governing body for events. He said the committee has been meeting weekly for the last two months.
Elwell said the celebration would begin with a ball at Congress Hall Feb. 15, 2009. He said the events would be for both visitors and residents.
Cape May held a big celebration 50 years on the 350th anniversary.
“I would say that was probably the biggest parade Cape May ever saw,” said Elwell.
He said the parade featured many bands and floats from a variety of places.
The 400th anniversary parade will be held July 25, 2009.
“We hope it will be as big as it was 50 years ago,” said Elwell.
He asked council for approval to hold a citywide beach party the evening of July 25 with volleyball and a movie shown on the beach. Elwell suggested participants could bring grilles to the beach to cook hamburgers and hot dogs.
Storytellers from the Mid Atlantic Center for the Arts will appear in the 300 block of the Washington Street Mall and take the roles of persons important to Cape May’s history, he said.
Elwell said a committee member would contact a group that owns a replica of the Half Moon in Albany N.Y. to see if the ship could sail to Cape May for tours. The Netherlands consulate has also been contacted to see if a Dutch Naval ship that will be visiting New York next summer could come to the Coast Guard Base in Cape May, he said.
Elwell requested council set aside some funds in the 2009 city budget to help the events. He said the committee hoped to be self-sufficient but may need a little help.
Mayor Edward J. Mahaney suggested baseball games with vintage uniforms and “water ball” with fire department personnel. He also suggested holding races between Cape May Beach Patrol members.
City Manager Bruce MacLeod suggested cross streets on the Washington Street Mal could be closed temporarily to create a bandstand area for a concert. He suggested two or three days of events around Aug. 28 which is the weekend before Labor Day weekend.
Mahaney suggested a clamshell pitching contest, a long time Cape May tradition as part of the beach party.
MacLeod said one of next year’s beach tag designs could portray the 400th anniversary. He also suggested a surfing contest.
Interested persons may attend the 400th anniversary committee meetings each Wednesday at 1 p.m. on the second floor of Cape Island Baptist Church, Columbia and Guerney streets.