The sun is setting on September 2016. One of the most beautiful months of the year has come and gone, and we’ve officially made a full transition into Fall. The Fall is a polarizing season…but not in a negative way! Many among us are extremely excited for football season while others don’t know or care about the game at all. The same can be said of Halloween; a favorite of many…but for others just a holiday to tolerate (and a good excuse to eat excess candy!). Then there’s the weather; a crispness and clarity that for many is ideal…but of course there are those mourning the loss of blistering beach days and warm, muggy nights. Whatever you think about Fall, one thing safe to say is that it’s a FUN time in Cape May. We welcome October and are excited to tell you about what’s in store this month…so read on to find out more!
Many of Cape May’s September events are perfect for the transitioning of the seasons. However the arrival of October brings a bevy of events tailored to the ultimate autumn lover. This year, October 1st is a Saturday! To celebrate, Cape May is starting the month off right with Oktoberfest on historic Jackson Street. The street will be closed to vehicular traffic and will be transformed into a German promenade! Traditional German food and music will be featured, and artisan crafted goods and collectibles will be available for purchase. There will even be a beer Garden! Jackson Street is THE place to be this Saturday between 10 am and 5 pm, as Oktoberfest is a simply fabulous way to ring in the month. The best part? After spending some time at the festival, just stroll over to the Washington Street Mall or up to the Cape May promenade and continue your weekend wandering. From shopping to dinging to just plain sightseeing…there’s always something to explore.
Despite our excitement about the imminent Oktoberfest, we’re also willing to admit that it does fall into the category of polarizing events that might not be everyone’s “thing”. So if you’re in search of a more subtle afternoon but are still thirsting for some exploring, check out the Cape May Wine Trail. You’ll start the event with lunch at The Carriage House Cafe and Tearoom (located at the Emlen Physick Estate), then it’s all aboard the trolley for stops at Willow Creek Winery, Hawk Haven Vineyard & Winery, and Natali Vineyards. The cost is $75 per person and includes lunch, wine tastings at each location, and a wine tasting glass! Two out of the three wineries to be visited are located offshore, so a perk of this event is that it’s also a chance to see a bit of “off-island” Cape May county…just another way of exploring like a local. We should also mention that while at the Physick Estate, you’ll certainly want to check out the Autumn Festival Crafts and Collectibles show-featuring the works of crafters from throughout the region.
As we move through October we will be met with Victorian weekend on the 8th,
9th, and 10th. This is one of Cape May’s most popular weekends of the year! It’s a celebration of the town’s Victorian roots, and an ideal time to relax and bask in the beauty of fall. Coinciding with Victorian weekend is the venerable West Cape May Lima Bean festival in Wilbraham Park. The
unique festival has long been a favorite of locals and visitors alike. In fact, many enjoy the tradition of escaping to Cape May each year for this one of a kind event. It begins at 9 am and runs until 5 pm. There will be recipes, crafts, and entertainment all centered around the Lima bean! And yes, speaking of polarizing…we’re aware that Lima beans are either loved or loathed. But trust us, even if Lima beans aren’t at all pleasing to your palate, you’ll still enjoy yourself at this lively event-as it’s truly a fun time for all ages. Homestead will be present as well…so please stop by and see us. Look for the Homestead tent!
An additional event that begins on Saturday, October 8th (and continues each week until 11/5) is the Fall Festival at Beach Plum Farm. The lovely Beach Plum Farm (in West Cape may just near the Willow Creek Winery) will feature seasonal fresh foods, craft beer from the Cape May Brewery, hayrides, and much more! You can also just relax and stroll around the breathtaking 62 acre farm-all the while forgetting that the Ocean is mere minutes away. It’s like being in the country and at the beach simultaneously-and nothing much sounds better than that!
While most of Cape May’s major events (including those listed above) take place on weekends from now through the winter season, weekdays in October still find many local establishments open for business. If you’re able to explore Cape May during the week at this time of year, it’s a great time to get acquainted with the local population. Business owners and local employees are often able to entertain general conversation and conduct more personalized, old fashioned service. We recommend a Thursday through Sunday/Monday stay at this time of the year. You’ll experience the tranquil pace of the late week followed by the bustle and buzz of an autumn weekend-truly the best of both worlds here in Cape May.
In addition to long weekend rentals, Homestead is witnessing a continued rental momentum even as we move into October! Numerous homes are nearly booked solid for the 2017 season. If you traditionally wait until after the holidays to book your Cape May vacation, you may want to consider moving the timetable forward a bit. We still expect a sizable rental inventory to be available as we move into the winter…but if you’re very specific about your rental property location and/or features, the time to reserve is NOW! Homestead is open year round from 9 am thru 5 pm everyday except Sunday. Give us a call or stop by and see us. We’d love to help you find your dream rental in Cape May!
We hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and is as excited about October as we are! But even if you’re not, we encourage you to try and find something about the fall season that you love. And if you’re here in Cape May, the search for that something will certainly not prove to be a challenge.
