Endless Events in the ‘Locals’ Summer’
Ashley and Sofia Magnavita enjoying Avalon’s End-of-Summer Shop Hop.
For this issue, I’m going to let you in on a major secret. Summer may “officially” be over as Labor Day weekend passes by, but guess what? For those lucky enough to enjoy time at the shore in the fall, summer isn’t actually over! Fall on the Seven Mile Beach is one of our best-kept secrets. Consider it the “locals’ summer.” After three crazy months of busy shops and stores, we often take a morning and sneak to the beach, or maybe an afternoon and sneak to the closest happy hour. This is fall, and I love every second of it. Did you hear that? Me neither. That was the peaceful sound of a September afternoon biking through town. The temperatures stay warm, the stores and restaurants stay open and the beach stays beautiful. Consider staying yourself, and while you’re here, enjoy one or all of these great events!
September starts with romance and love in Stone Harbor with an art exhibit at Ocean Galleries featuring Hessam Abrishami. “Colors of Romance” will feature Hessam’s latest in paintings, drawings and sketches through Labor Day weekend with special artist appearances on Sept. 2 and 3 from 7-10pm. The Persian artist has traveled the world with art influenced from art masters including Cezanne and Picasso, with colorful paintings filled with love, laughter, music and dance. “Colors of Romance” will be on display at the Stone Harbor Ocean Galleries from Friday, Sept. 1 through Wednesday, Sept. 6. For more information, go to oceangalleries.com.
On Saturday, Sept. 9, grab your beach cruisers and mountain bikes, your strollers or even just your sneakers and join in on the Get In Gear Bike/Stroll, hosted by Burke Motor Group, Harbor Bike & Beach Shop and the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Register in advance, plan your route and get going! Bike to the beach, bike to breakfast, bike to shop! Just remember to dedicate this day to two-wheeled or two-footed transportation. Lunch is included and participants are encouraged to bike as far as they can, and enjoy the Jersey Shore while helping to raise funds. Proceeds from participating in this healthy event go to local scholarships distributed by Burke Motor Group and the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce. Be sure to stop by the Stone Harbor Chamber office on 96th Street for great giveaways and a listing of specials from shops, restaurants and local businesses throughout the county! For more information and to register, go to burkemotorgroup.com.
Nothing beats a good sale, and Avalon shops are open and ready to bargain! Be sure to join in the frenzy of Avalon’s End-of-Summer Shop Hop on Sept. 9 and 10. More than 30 participating stores join in on this annual event and feature major discounts on clothing, accessories, home décor, gifts, furniture and so much more! Don’t miss out on great discounts and featured inventory as you travel along Avalon’s shopping district. And when your tired feet need a break, be sure to stop by Bobby Dee’s Rock’n Chair for a great menu of cocktails and appetizer specials to refuel. Grab a pamphlet at participating stores or go to visitavalonnj.com for a full list of stores, discounts, hospitality and more!
The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children is a unique spot for visually impaired children, ages 7-15, to enjoy a full-week vacation at the shore. The three-story home hosts campers throughout the summer and features daily activities including trips to the zoo, amusement parks, boating trips, concerts and, of course, the beach. The cost to send one camper for one week is approximately $1,500. However, through funds raised from events and sponsorships, campers are invited to attend for free. The Barefoot Ball is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9
from 5-9pm at the Windrift Hotel Resort. This annual fundraiser is a great way to support the home while enjoying an oceanfront view from the Windrift’s Level 2 Restaurant, live music, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and a live auction. New for this year is a performance by camper Cole Moran and his father, who have a band, Blind Wind. Cole was born blind and enjoyed the Diller Home this summer. He is looking forward to entertaining attendees at this year’s Barefoot Ball with his amazing harmonica skills. Sponsorships and tickets are available by emailing acoskey@dillerblindhome.org.
For more information and how you can support the home, go to dillerblindhome.org.
Surfers regularly pray for waves and sun, and they get a little extra help in that department for the Nuns’ Beach Surf Contest. Many know “Nuns’ Beach” (111th Street in Stone Harbor) as a surfers’ haven. More than 75 years ago, an order of nuns built Villa Maria by-the-Sea, and when the group of nuns wasn’t using the beach, they allowed surfers rare access. In an effort to thank the nuns for their continued kindness, the Nuns’ Beach Surf Content was created and it is now in its 22nd year. On Saturday, Sept. 16, starting as early as 7am, hundreds of surfers will pack the beach for this annual competition. All levels and all ages are invited to attend and participate, and while you’re there, be sure to grab one of the event’s collectible T-shirts that each year portrays a surfing nun. So “pray for surf,” grab the board and head on over for a great day of surfing and good causes. For more information, call 609-368-5290.
Also on Sept. 16, join in the fun when the Avalon Elementary School hosts the second annual My School Color Run starting at 9am. Participants can join in and walk, run, jog or stroll through a designated course set throughout Avalon. Along the way, enjoy designated color splash zones and you’ll end the course doused in multiple colors. Check in and registration begins at 9am, with the race starting at 10am. Proceeds from the event go toward Avalon’s eighth-grade trip and student activities throughout the year. Register early at Eventbrite.com and search for Avalon Elementary My School Color Run!
We may have mentioned this earlier, but fall on the island is one of our best-kept secrets and as temperatures turn toward winter, we find ourselves savoring the warm summer weather that stays with us through September. The Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce has announced the sixth annual Savor September Wine, Beer and Food Festival for Saturday, Sept. 23 from noon to 9pm. Stroll along 96th Street and enjoy a wine and craft beer tasting tent featuring more than 10 local wineries and breweries, as well as a number of local restaurants, displays with original art by local artists, live music, children’s activities and, of course, the sixth annual Grape Stomping Competition. Who will stomp their way home with this year’s trophy? Stop by, grab a glass of wine and savor this enjoyable weekend, or jump in and stomp those grapes! For more information, go to stoneharborbeach.com.
The Cape May Peninsula is listed among the top birding destinations in the world, due to its unique location and the diversity of species that migrate along the Atlantic Flyway. The Wetlands Institute celebrates this time of year with the annual Fall Migration Festival set for Saturday, Sept. 23, 9:30am to 4:30pm. Fall is one of the best times to experience the migration of raptors, warblers, waterfowl and more, so the event falls on the perfect timeline for nature lovers to enjoy. Attendees will enjoy live monarch butterfly presentations and tagging, guided nature walks, back-bay boat and kayak tours, a terrapin release, animal demos, plant tours and more! This family-fun event is a great way to learn about the wetlands and nature that surround the Seven Mile Beach, and catch the spectacle of migrating birds and butterflies as they head south for the season. For tickets and a full schedule of events, go to wetlandsinstitute.org.
There’s nothing better than a fall afternoon spent on the green with family and friends, especially if it’s for a great cause. On Friday, Sept. 29 join the Play With Jack Foundation for its annual Golf Outing at the Avalon Golf Club. Practice on the driving range before registration and lunch at Noon, and a shotgun start at 1pm. Participants will enjoy a day on an award-winning course, with beverages, snacks and an awards ceremony to close the event. The Play With Jack Foundation was established in 2000 in honor of the late Jack Cremin. The Foundation raises funds through annual events including the fall Golf Tournament and a spring fashion show and offers financial assistance to those battling life threatening illnesses. So be sure to FORE for a good cause, and register now, this event fills up quickly! For more information and to pre-register go to playwithjackfoundation.com.
Get your dancing shoes on, and get your tickets now. Jerry Blavat, the “Geater with the Heater,” is hosting an oldies dance party on Saturday, Sept. 30,
8pm at the Avalon Community Hall. The iconic DJ and performer will keep your toes tapping and your fingers snapping. But seriously, get your tickets now as this event, hosted by the Avalon Performing Arts Council will surely sell out fast. Doors open at 6:30pm, music and dancing starts at 7pm, and the main performance from the “Boss with the Hot Sauce” starts at 8pm. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food and beverage and call 609-967-3066 for advance tickets and seating reservations. For more information, go to avalonperformingarts.org.
A fall weekend just isn’t complete without some chowder and Oktoberfest beer, right? Join the Avalon Chamber of Commerce for its annual Seafood Festival, Oct. 7 and 8, from 10am to 5pm at the 30th Street parking lot. The event is jam-packed with fun events and activities, plus shopping from more than 30 vendors displaying art, clothing, jewelry, home décor and more. Hit the food tent for a lineup of fresh seafood from a variety of local restaurants all while enjoying live music. And don’t fret – Sound Advice returns with its popular Sound Advice Lounge streaming live football games on big-screen televisions, both days. Kids and families will enjoy a variety of activities including face painting, balloons, art and craft projects, games and more! And be sure to return on Sunday at 1pm for the famous Chowder Cookoff featuring local restaurants vying for the trophy of best chowder on the island for 2017. Will The Watering Hull successfully defend its title? We shall see! Admission to the event is free! For a full schedule of events, performers and activities, head to visitavalonnj.com. Rain date is the following weekend.
You have a unique opportunity to travel to Italy, yet stay within the island’s confines. Close your eyes and breath in the aroma of an authentic Italian dinner and enjoy “perfecto” pasta, without even packing a bag. The Avalon Lions Club hosts its annual Pasta Night fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 5-8pm at the Windrift Hotel Resort. Attendees will enjoy a meal of salad, spaghetti and meatballs and a variety of homemade Italian desserts accompanied by ice cream courtesy of Sundae Best! In addition to tableside service from the members of the Avalon Lions, you can also keep your toes tapping with live music and the return of the popular silent auction featuring a number of unique baskets including golf, travel, dining and more. Is your mouth watering? Don’t fret, tickets are on sale now! Adults are $17 and children, ages 12 and under are $8. Purchase tickets at Pudgie Pelican Café (3258 Dune Drive), or Long & Foster Real Estate (30th Street and Dune Drive). Tickets and takeout are also available that evening, so be there and Buon Appetito! For more information, call Jim Lutz at 609-254-2763.
Ghouls and ghosts, pirates and princesses – all are invited to dress their best and enjoy a day of trick-or-treating through Stone Harbor’s downtown shopping district for Stone Harbor’s Kid’s Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 28.
Grab some delicious sweet treats, along with crafts and fun entertainers along the way. This is the perfect way to kick off Halloween week and get some extra tricks and treats! For more information, go to stoneharborbeach.com.
And then … ghouls and ghosts, pirates and princesses … return! Save your costume from Stone Harbor’s Harvest Fest and join Avalon that evening, Oct. 28, for the annual Trunk-or-Treat. The event will take place at the 29th Street parking lot and all cars must be parked in spots no later than 4:30pm. Trunk-or-treating will run from 5-7pm with additional beachside hayrides, carnival games and sweet treats. Cars are encouraged to enter the competition for best decorations by calling the Avalon Recreation Department at 609-967-3066.
And just like that we are into November. Thoughts of trimming the turkey, and the tree of course dance around like sugar plums! And to get into the holiday spirit be sure to step into an Olde Fashion Christmas Bazaar hosted by the First United Methodist Church of Avalon. The bazaar, held on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 9am to 2pm, is a true town tradition. Attendees can step into a holiday wonderland featuring beautiful handmade ornaments and Christmas crafts. Not sure how to decorate the house this year? No problem! Browse the “Used Christmas” room for gently used holiday décor items, and on your way there, grab a homemade dessert from the Baked Goods table. And finally, after some festive shopping, grab a seat and enjoy lunch! As I mentioned, this event is a town tradition, one that I can remember enjoying with my grandparents more than 30 years ago. And with events that stand the test of time, they get better every year, so enjoy a festive morning getting into the holiday spirit for a great cause, as proceeds go towards to the Church’s mission work. For more information, go to avalonmethodist.com.
I know, I know. I started this article claiming that the fall is the island’s best kept secret. But the holidays … these are a must-do for Avalon and Stone Harbor. Be sure to save the date for Thanksgiving weekend and head to the shore for a weekend bursting full of family fun festivities. From snow to Santa, rides, crafts, games and more, the holidays on the Seven Mile Beach are not to be missed. Stay tuned.
