I’ve always loved life’s contradictions. How ironic is it that I left New England with my family more than 30 years ago because one of the things I was tired of was cold, snowy winters? Now I find myself anxiously wishing for that first snowfall of winter.
At this time of year, I find myself thinking how ironic it is that two things I’m not particularly fond of, summer’s heat and crabs, are at the heart of one of our biggest events here at the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) in Cape May.
On Aug. 8, our annual Craft Beer & Crab Festival rolls around for its fourth season, which means for me a day outdoors here at the Physick Estate with the aroma of crabs in the air.
Obviously, I’m in a minority when it comes to the crabs, because this event is growing in popularity every year. With good reason because, even if you don’t like crabs (I do like king crab, but that won’t be on the menu), there’s just so much about this day that makes it a perfect summer day in Cape May.
The grounds surrounding the 1879 Physick House are perfect for events like this. There’s plenty of room for all sorts of activities, with lots of lawn for strolling or relaxing and enjoying the day. For some people, the annual Craft Beer & Crab Festival is their introduction to the Physick Estate and MAC events here in Cape May, which is another reason we do it.
We’re a diverse organization and try to offer that euphemistic “something for everyone,” up to and including crabs, so sometimes people don’t realize that MAC is behind that fun time they’re having.
The day’s events also include music…lots of music from local and regional groups that are guaranteed to get your toes tapping.
Our friends at Cape May Brewery will be around to introduce you to some of their products. It’s nice to see a local business gaining such popularity and we’re happy to have them as partners. I may stick with the shrimp and leave the crabs for others, but nothing goes better with summer seafood in an outdoor setting than a frosty brew. We’ll have other spirits available, plus even the humble hot dog for those, like me, who just can’t understand the fascination with coaxing bits of crabmeat out of a shell.
There’s lots of family fun, too, with the return of the popular Give & Take Jugglers Little Circus whose performers have been a big hit with the little folks and the big folks.
Leaving the best for last is the real reason for this annual event: It raises funds to support MAC educational outreach programs. Each year, MAC offers free programs to schools county-wide.
Perhaps your kids, or grandkids, have taken a school trip to the Lighthouse or had a classroom visit from one of our museum educators. Proceeds from the Craft Beer & Crab Festival make that possible.
Best of all, this event is “all hands on deck” for MAC staff, and it gives everyone a chance to see what we do best: work together to make sure all of our guests have a good time. You can’t miss us…just look for the bright yellow “event staff” T-shirts.
I’ll be there and I’m saving my crabs for you.
– Barraclough is director of publications & website at MAC
West Cape May – The amount of TV shows airing is getting out of hand. Less movies are being produced today than ever before. Instead, people are glued to watching shows that most people never heard of.
