Events at a Glance
July 2
“Early Avalon” Walking Tour
6-7pm, Avalon History Center
Take a trip to the past while strolling the blocks of Avalon’s north end. Enjoy viewing Victorian architecture and learning the history of landmark early buildings such as the 1892 Wells Memorial Presbyterian Church (still standing!) and the Avalon Hotel. Call the History Center for meeting spot and in case of inclement weather. Guided by Bruce Tell. Also scheduled for July 30. More information: 609-967-0090, avalonhistorycenter.org
July 6
Brendan Borek Low Tide Beach Ride
CONTACT Cape-Atlantic 5 Mile Run and 2-Mile Walk
7am registration, 8am race, 8:05am walk, Avalon Community Hall
CONTACT Cape-Atlantic is a volunteer organization with more than 150 staff members who serve the elderly and disabled with a daily telephone call. The race will award the top three overall winners and within each category. More information: contactcapeatlantic.org
Brendan Borek Low Tide Beach Ride
5:30pm registration, 6pm ride, 9th Street beach
Note, this family-fun event is NOT a race! Just a leisurely bike ride during low tide from 9th Street to the Fishing Pier on 32nd Street and back. Proceeds from the event benefit the Brendan Borek Endowed Fund at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. More information: brendansfund.org
July 7
Stone Harbor Fitness Challenge & 5K
6:45am registration, 8am 5K race, 8:05am Kids 2-Mile, Stone Harbor Recreation Field, 82nd Street and First Avenue
Begin a summer morning with a quick 5K, and for those daring enough, jump into the fitness challenge for nine body challenges (heavy ropes slam, water jug carry, etc.). The 2-Mile Fun Run and Kids Run begin shortly after the 5K begins. Awards for all top finishers in each category. More information: 7milesports.com
July 8
57th Annual Al Cunard Stone Harbor Baby Parade
5:30pm registration, 6pm parade, 6:30pm awards, 364 96th Street parking lot (parade down 96th Street)
Enjoy the cutest annual parade in Stone Harbor with awards in categories including Best Float, Best Walking, Mayor’s Award and more. Register before the parade and practice your pageant waves! Following the parade, enjoy a family-fun night with the Cunard Family Clowns at the Stone Harbor Firehouse. More information: shnj.org
Lecture: New Jersey Water Quality
6pm, Avalon Free Public Library
Kristen Andrada, the AmeriCorps NJWAP Watershed Ambassador for Cape May County, will be speaking about the quality of New Jersey streams and how community members can get involved in protecting them. She will also discuss her various environmental projects and collaborations in the area and how she became a watershed ambassador. More information: avalonfreelibrary.org
July 10
An Evening with Author Amor Towles
7pm, Avalon Free Public Library
Amor Towles’ first book, “Rules of Civility,” published in 2011, was ranked by the Wall Street Journal as one of the best books of 2011. The book was optioned by Lionsgate to be made into a feature film and its French translation received the 2012 Prix Fitzgerald. His second title, “A Gentleman in Moscow,” published in 2016, was also a New York Times bestseller and was ranked as one of the best books of 2016 by the Chicago Tribune, the Miami Herald, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the St. Louis Dispatch, and NPR. Both novels have been translated into more than 15 languages. A book signing will follow the lecture. No tickets are required. More information: avalonfreelibrary.org
July 11
Avalon Historical Society Miniature Golf Competition
6-9pm, Go Fish Mini Golf
Grab the family and friends and enjoy an evening of family fun and mini golf, while supporting the Avalon Historical Society. Prizes will be given to winners, and registration is available ahead of time, or at the event. More information: 609-967-0090, avalonhistorycenter.org
July 12
Motown Concert: Shadows of the ’60s
7pm, Avalon Free Public Library
Enjoy a Motown concert that pays tribute to The Supremes, The Four Tops and The Temptations but also might feature songs by other Motown greats. Enjoy a performance featuring the top hits, costumes, and choreography. More information: avalonfreelibrary.org
July 13
Avalon Flip Flop Walk
8am registration, 8:30am walk, 32nd Street and the Boardwalk
The Parkinson Council and the Storbeck Family will team up for the 12th Annual Flip Flop Walk. Grab your friends and family and walk the Avalon boardwalk for a good cause, plus at the end receive a pair of flip-flops and delicious Springer’s ice cream! More information: theparkinsoncouncil.org
July 16
Lecture: Shipwrecks of the Jersey Shore
6pm, Avalon History Center
Featuring Steven Nagiewicz, marine archaeologist and teacher of underwater science and exploration at Stockton University. Nagiewicz will highlight the unearthed shipwreck at Stone Harbor beach as well as the Mullica River Revolutionary War wrecks. More information: avalonfreelibrary.org
July 17
Author Lecture: Jamie Brenner
6pm, Avalon Free Public Library
Join the Avalon Library for an author talk with USA Today bestselling author Jamie Brenner. Brenner’s novels include “The Husband Hour,” “The Forever Summer” and “The Wedding Sisters,” and her latest release in 2019, “Drawing Home.” A book signing with follow the lecture. No tickets are required. More information: avalonfreelibrary.org
July 19
Crabulous Crab Day
9:30am-3pm, The Wetlands Institute, 1075 Stone Harbor Blvd.
Have a crabulous day with all things – crabby! Head over to The Wetlands Institute for a variety of family-fun, crab-themed activities including animal demonstrations, cooking demos, crabbing demos and even special appearances by Crabby Scute the ‘Tute Terrapin. Be sure to trade in your Krabby Dollars for special prizes and awards! More information: wetlandsinstitute.org
July 19-21
Ocean Galleries Hosts Digital Artist Stephen Harlan
Special receptions on Friday and Saturday 7-10pm, and Sunday 1-4pm, Ocean Galleries Stone Harbor
Ocean Galleries welcomes groundbreaking artist Stephen Harlan with his exhibit featuring captivating digital artwork. This will be Harlan’s first appearance in Stone Harbor, and he is best known for his bright and bold artwork, most often featuring coastal waters. Guests can meet Harlan at special receptions held Friday and Saturday. More information: oceangalleries.com
July 20
Avalon Historical Society Annual Clam Shell Pitch Competition
8:30am, 30th Street beach
Try your hand at this fun, horseshoes-like sport, historically played on Avalon’s beaches! No experience necessary. Tournaments for singles and doubles. Register and practice beginning at 8:30am, tournaments starting at 9am. More information: 609-967-0090, avalonhistorycenter.org
July 20
Bay Atlantic Symphony Presents “Friendship and Love”
7pm, Avalon Elementary School
The Bay Atlantic Symphony returns for the summer with two performances, starting with July’s “Friendship and Love” concert. Led by Music Director Jed Gaylin, the concert will highlight Elgar, Borodin and even a tribute to Frank Sinatra. New for 2019, tickets are not required for this event. More information: avalonfreelibrary.org
July 21-26
Santa Visits His Summer Home
Various Stone Harbor locations and times
Santa and Mrs. Claus are trading in winter clothes for shorts on their annual summer vacation in Stone Harbor. Catch the duo throughout the week at a number of businesses and events. Grab a schedule and get your lists together early! More information: stoneharborbeach.com
July 21
Stone Harbor Triathlon
7am, Yacht Club of Stone Harbor
This event is a sight to see as more than 400 athletes swim a quarter-mile in the basin at the Yacht Club of Stone Harbor, bike 11 miles and then run a 5K through Stone Harbor. Cheer on friends and families as they compete for top awards in each category! More information: runsignup.com
15th Annual Avalon Yacht Club Run from the Sun 5K & Kid Sprints
7:30am registration, 8:15am Kid Sprints, 8:30am 5K race, Avalon Community Hall
Celebrate the 15th annual year for this great event, raising funds for The Skin Cancer Foundation. The whole family can enjoy this morning event with Kid Sprints featuring a 1/10-mile run with medals to all finishers, and a 5K race with awards given to the top finishers in all categories. Additional awards are given to the largest and the fastest family teams. More information: raceroster.com
July 24
Author Lecture: Frank Langfitt
6pm, Avalon Free Public Library
London NPR Correspondent Frank Langfitt is the nonfiction author of “The Shanghai Free Taxi: Journeys with the Hustlers and Rebels of the New China.” Langfitt covered Shanghai from 2011-16, and drove a free taxi around the city for a series on a changing China as seen through the eyes of ordinary people. A book signing will follow the lecture. Tickets are not required. More information: avalonfreelibrary.org
July 25
Avalon Christmas in July
10am, Avalon Community Hall
Meet the man himself all the way from the North Pole as he enjoys a day in the sun in Avalon. Attendees will enjoy face painting, photos with Santa Claus. More information: avalonrecreation.org
July 27
Yoga on the Beach for Brendan’s Fund
8am registration, 9am yoga, 30th Street & beach
Namaste to all those who join for the perfect way to start a day with a relaxing yoga class, led by Sol Luna Yoga, with your toes in the sand and the ocean at your back. Proceeds from the class will benefit the Brendan Borek Endowed Fund at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. More information: brendansfund.org
The Wetlands Institute’s Annual Summer Celebration
6-9pm, ICONA Avalon
Join The Wetlands Institute for its largest and most prestigious event, which helps to raise funds for the institute’s mission-based programs. Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, live music, basket raffles, a silent auction, plus a live auction offering experiences, dinners, exclusive wine collections and more. More information: wetlandsinstitute.org
July 28
Tim Kerr Charities Beach Classic Duathlon
7:30am, Avalon Community Hall
Grab the kids for a fun event open to ages 7-15 including a 1K run on the boardwalk, a 5K bike ride and a final 1K run along the boardwalk again. Participants will receive a T-shirt and medal, and awards will be given to the top finishers in each age group. More information: timkerrcharities.org
Tim Kerr Charities Family and Friends Beach Run
9am, Avalon Community Hall
New for 2019, join in for a new event to support the community. Participants chose from either a 2-mile walk or 5K run on the beach. Participants receive a beach bag, and awards are given to the top finishers in each category. Proceeds from this new event are going to those in need through a number of local charities. More information: timkerrcharities.org
July 30
Artist and Friends Art Show for Brendan’s Fund
6-9pm, Avalon Yacht Club
Browse the work of a number of artists in mediums including photography, sculpture, wood carving and jewelry, and painters with original works of art in oil, acrylic and mixed media. This event features artists from up and down the East Coast, and a portion of the proceeds goes toward the Brenan Borek Endowed Fund at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. More information: brendansfund.org
July 31
Author Lecture: Meg Donohue
6pm, Avalon Free Public Library
Meg Donohue is the USA Today bestselling author of “Every Wild Heart,” “All the Summer Girls,” “Dog Crazy,” and “How to Eat a Cupcake.” Donohue’s 2019 title “You, Me, and the Sea,” is a spellbinding and suspenseful tale inspired by “Wuthering Heights” that illuminates the ways in which hope—and even magic—can blossom in the darkest of places. A book signing will follow the lecture. Tickets are not required. More information: avalonfreelibrary.org
