Blog

The Bass River Mercantile

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

A Long-Standing Presence in South Yarmouth If you’ve ever spent much time in Yarmouth, Massachusetts, you’ve probably seen the building. Or maybe you’ve missed sight of it, but have driven by countless times, leaving it peripherally in the rearview as you gauge the queue of cars on the Bass River Bridge and count your lucky […]

Read More

2023 Yarmouth Summer Concert Series

Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Join us every Monday night in July and August on Parkers River Beach in South Yarmouth for our Summer Concert Series! Grab a beach blanket and chair and enjoy live music. FREE!

Read More

The Flower Angels Thrift Store: A Must-See for Bargain Hunters in Yarmouth

Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Charming floral arrangements set in a teacup have warmed the spaces and spirits of lonely seniors in residential care homes for nearly a decade. To date, more than 55,684 of these individually handcrafted bouquets utilizing over 104,799 volunteer hours have been assembled and twice weekly delivered by The Flower Angels, a self-funded project of Community […]

Read More

Veteran’s Top Shot Invitational Golf Tournament

Friday, March 17, 2023

Since 2018 the Veteran’s Top Shot Invitational has been raising awareness and funds for local programs that directly support military families and veterans here on Cape. Organized by Devadigm, Cape Gun Works, and Coxswain Media’s Pixy 103, the highly anticipated annual fundraiser consists of a golf tournament in the spring and a shooting competition in […]

Read More

Holiday Shopping: Gifting Outside the Box

Thursday, December 15, 2022

We’ve all been there. As the days draw shorter and colder the autumn begins to slip away from us, and before we know it our pumpkin spice and bright foliage give way to peppermint sticks and frost just when we have begun to recover from our turkey and stuffing comas. As the winter holidays sneakily […]

Read More

Making magick at Ritual

Wednesday, October 26, 2022

Unassumingly tucked away in a small commercial plaza off Rt. 6A lies in wait for a hidden gem- unlikely to be found by accident, and likely just what you didn’t know what you are looking for until you find it. That was true even for owner Holly Lemieux, when she established Ritual in May of […]

Read More

Thacher Hall, A Hidden Gem in Plain Sight

Friday, July 29, 2022

On Old King’s Highway among centennial Yarmouthport buildings such as the Edward Gorey House and Benjamin Thacher Gorham House, sits what architect Sarah Jane Porter calls “the most significant historic public structure of its period on Cape Cod.” Boston architect Samuel Thayer designed the building formerly known as the Church of the New Jerusalem in […]

Read More

Summer is in full swing on Cape Cod

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

The beaches are bustling with locals and visitors alike, and the ice cream shops can hardly scoop fast enough to cool off the queue of sun-kissed patrons in between rounds of mini-golf. But it’s not summer on the Cape, according to die-hard sports fans across the nation, without the excitement of the famously riveting Cape […]

Read More

The 2022 Cape Cod Pirate Festival

Friday, May 27, 2022

Ho! Gather ‘round ye’ and I’ll tell ye a tale. Chris Schultz, his mother called ‘em when he was knee-high to a parrot. That’s the man who had an idea to batten down the hatches and bring pirate life to Cape Cod. After working for a better part of 20 years as a performer, manager, […]

Read More

Doing the Steps: Edward Gorey and the Dance of Art

Wednesday, May 4, 2022

A centuries-old sea captain’s home in Yarmouth Port became the final dwelling place for a quirky, but reclusive artist when he moved from New York in the 80s. It was there that he spent his remaining 14 years of life with his curious assortments of oddities, over 26,000 books, and most importantly his “people” as […]

Read More

Things to Do Over Spring Vacation 2022

Friday, April 8, 2022

April 18th through the 22nd is the official dates for Spring Break in Massachusetts public schools, meaning that in just a few short weeks households on Cape will be teeming with energetic kids and teens chomping at the bit for something fun to do, and well-caffeinated parents who may be underprepared to fill that void. […]

Read More

Another Cape Cod Spring Has Arrived

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Finally. At long last the lingering, biting Cape Cod winter is breaking into Spring. The final crests of snow have melted away to reveal the stretch and yawn of the first crocuses, and the impatient shoots of eager daffodils. The Spring Peepers can be heard in the bogs and marshes, the Ospreys have returned to […]

Read More

Lights Bring Holiday Glow to Streets of Yarmouth

Wednesday, December 22, 2021

They start before Thanksgiving — taking inventory, checking extension cords, and restocking their supply of blinking LEDs, light-up candy canes, and remote-controlled inflatables. Then, when it’s turkey sandwich time, the work begins in earnest — stringing icicle lights, wrapping strands of white-and-crimson LEDs around tree trunks, and wiring outdoor speakers to fill the darkness with […]

Read More

Pumpkin carvings bring ‘relief’ to Yarmouth residents

Thursday, October 28, 2021

Just as the town’s celebrated sand sculptures are being cleared for winter, new artistic displays have popped up in Yarmouth. Giant carved pumpkins, complete with cornstalks, bales of hay, and other autumnal adornments, are part of a test promotion this year by the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Yarmouth. There’s a continuity […]

Read More

Fall Festivals in Yarmouth

Wednesday, October 6, 2021

Forget the foliage in New Hampshire. Cape Cod has it all in the fall — especially in Yarmouth this weekend. Where else can you find fireworks, a beachside bonfire, kayak and canoe racing, sand sculptures, a craft fair, painted pumpkins, hay wagon rides, apple cider donut holes, free live music, friendly farm animals, a pie-eating […]

Read More

September’s St. Patrick’s Parade to honor frontline workers

Wednesday, September 15, 2021

In a year marked by rising and falling cycles of COVID-19, it seems fitting to honor the people who have pressed on through hardships — heading to work each day throughout the pandemic, providing essential services for others, and helping to keep the economy chugging along. That’s why organizers of this weekend’s Cape Cod St. […]

Read More

Still time for fun in the sun before summer fades away

Wednesday, September 8, 2021

Wait, was that really Labor Day weekend fading away in my rear-view mirror? Sadly, yes. And while September begins the inexorable march toward winter, summer won’t truly be gone until 3:20 p.m. on Sept. 22. That leaves another two weeks to binge on fun things to do before we all start wearing sweaters and counting […]

Read More

Exotic adventures await mini-golf fans in Yarmouth

Tuesday, August 31, 2021

The Taylor brothers would be proud. New York mini golf developers Joseph and Robert Taylor are credited with the zany idea of placing windmills, wishing wells, and other elaborate obstacles into their courses. Who knew the trend they started in 1938 would evolve to such extremes? Thanks to the brothers’ Taylor, today’s mini golf courses […]

Read More

Artists mark 10 years of sand sculpting, with more to come

Monday, June 14, 2021

We’ve witnessed starfish and sailing ships, motorcycles and mermaids, cartoon characters and even a country western singer – all in the name of ephemeral artwork carved from mountains of sand. The specialists at Fitzysnowman Studios – aka Sean Fitzpatrick and his wife, Tracey – have stacked, packed and carved thousands of tons of sand during […]

Read More

Y-D Red Sox and Cape Cod League returning to action

Friday, June 11, 2021

After the pandemic forced Cape Codders to endure a summer without their favorite baseball games last year, the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox are ready to play ball in 2021. Earlier this month, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced that the state is lifting all remaining COVID-19 restrictions as of May 29. Also, the state of emergency in […]

Read More

Ferry service moving closer to full steam ahead in 2021

Friday, May 14, 2021

After a devastating pandemic that resulted in the lowest ridership in 13 years, the Woods Hole, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Steamship Authority is banking on a strong rebound this summer, with a return to normal business by fall. There’s a pent-up demand for travel, said Steamship Authority Marketing Director Kimberlee McHugh, who added that the […]

Read More

‘Hapless Children’ and dark treasures at Edward Gorey House

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Little children don’t enjoy many happily-ever-after moments in Mr. Gorey’s Neighborhood. In fact, they almost always meet a dark and unexpected demise. Take young Ernest, who choked on a peach, or his book-mate Fanny, who was eerily “sucked dry by a leach”. The unfortunate children are two of 26 characters in one of Edward Gorey’s […]

Read More

Find your best intentions for the New Year

Thursday, January 7, 2021

After the exhausting year that we all endured, maybe the goal for 2021 should be nothing more than finding new activities to bring us peace of mind. Of course, it wouldn’t hurt to shed a few pounds, expand our minds and get more exercise. But this year especially, there may be the need to make […]

Read More

Yarmouth residents light up the winter skies

Sunday, December 27, 2020

The great conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter isn’t the only light show in town this Christmas. Residents across Yarmouth, and presumably Cape Cod and beyond, have gone to extremes in making their properties merry and bright — with the emphasis on BRIGHT! Thoroughfares, side streets and cul-de-sacs are ablaze with the colorful glow of lawn […]

Read More

Great holiday gift ideas from Yarmouth shops

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

So you want to do the right thing and shop locally to support small businesses. But without the Yarmouth Port Stroll or another big holiday event on the calendar this year, you might be searching for a place to begin. And time is getting tight. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. With some pre-shopping research, […]

Read More

Shop Local this Holiday Season

Monday, November 23, 2020

Yarmouth is the perfect place to do your holiday shopping! Here is a list of local retailers you can support during the holiday season: Adrene Jewelers Affordable Mattress Agway Anchor Ace Hardware Barfields Baskins Ace Hardware Bass River Mercantile Beef Jerky Outlet Bike Zone Cape Cod Brass Cape Cod Toy Chest Cathy’s Place Christmas Joy […]

Read More

What’s Open in Yarmouth

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Arts and Culture Cape Cod Children’s Museum Cape Cod Maritime Museum Cape Cod Museum of Natural History Cultural Center of Cape Cod Edward Gorey House Massachusetts Air and Space Museum Plimoth Plantation Whydah Pirate Museum Zion Union Heritage Museum Restaurants 99 Restaurant Alberto’s Ristorante Ann and Fran’s Kitchen Bagels and Beyond Bashful Tarte Bakery Black […]

Read More

Halloween Fun by the Carload

Wednesday, October 14, 2020

Looking for a way to give your children a treat this Halloween — without putting their health and safety at risk? Check out the Yarmouth Halloween Spooktacular event — a collaboration between the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce, Yarmouth Recreation and the Yarmouth Drive-In. The event — set for the afternoon and early evening of Halloween […]

Read More

Think outside the bogs for cranberry culture

Monday, September 28, 2020

Autumn is cranberry-picking season in Yarmouth and much of Cape Cod, as the tart-flavored berries ripen to brilliant hues of scarlet and burgundy. If you enjoy colorful photos, think of the bright red berries floating en masse on blue water that reflects the even bluer October sky. Spectacular! Unfortunately, local cranberry festivals have all but […]

Read More

Fall is Prime Time for Fishing in Yarmouth

Friday, September 11, 2020

The summer sun may be fading, but the saltwater fishing is still heating up. Early autumn is a sublime time for fishing around Yarmouth and much of Cape Cod, with stripers and bluefish feeding in schools before heading southward to warmer waters. There’s also plenty of action on the bottom, if you want scup, tautog, […]

Read More

Yarmouth ice cream shops offer sweet escape

Wednesday, August 19, 2020

In a summer marked by face masks and social distancing, local ice cream shop owners remind us that ice cream is still ice cream – a quintessential summertime treat that can melt your troubles away. The 2020 season began in May for most Yarmouth shops with reduced hours, emergency workflow changes and fears about the […]

Read More

New Yarmouth Drive-In Set to go ‘Live’

Friday, July 24, 2020

After successfully opening with popular movies, operators of the Yarmouth Drive-In are now launching live performances at the Route 28 venue. Comedian Iliza Shlesinger will kick off the drive-in’s outdoor shows on July 31, followed by folk singer Livingston Taylor and other music and comedy acts during August and September. An Aug. 18 show with […]

Read More

Yarmouth retailers learn from COVID-19 hardships

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Online ordering, curbside pickup, virtual merchandising, and personally reaching out to loyal customers are some of the creative strategies used by Yarmouth retailers to buoy their sagging bottom lines during the COVID-19 shutdown. And now that Massachusetts businesses are reopening, some local merchants say they will retain the strategies into summer and beyond. First-year trial […]

Read More

Cape Cod’s Sand Sculpture Trail is back again

Tuesday, June 23, 2020

Yarmouth’s popular Sand Sculpture Trail is back again this summer, with an assortment of new creations by world-famous street artist and sand sculptor Sean and Tracy Fitzpatrick of Fitzysnowman Studios. This year’s project was scaled back to 17 sculptures, due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. But the attractions are all located outdoors, making them safe […]

Read More

Find fresh shellfish in Yarmouth’s coastal waters

Tuesday, May 26, 2020

Thinking of making your own creamy clam chowder, savory clams casino, or chilled littlenecks served on the half-shell? Here’s some good news. All those dishes can begin the same way – with fresh quahogs plucked from Yarmouth’s coastal waterways. Hard-shell clams or quahogs (pronounced KO-hogs), are found throughout the town’s saltwater bays and estuaries. To […]

Read More

Stay safe while kayaking Yarmouth’s waterways

Friday, May 15, 2020

Need some outdoor exercise but still want to practice social distancing? Go paddle a kayak. Flatwater kayaking on Yarmouth’s coastal waterways offers a welcome break from the home office – complete with the aroma of salty air and a chance to spot egrets, osprey and great blue herons. Best of all, you can do it […]

Read More

The Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Students can now explore ancient shipwrecks, study marine science, dive into America’s maritime history and relive the Golden Age of Piracy – all without leaving their homes. The Center for Historic Shipwreck Preservation (Shipwreck Center for short) launched a new online learning program in April, using the expertise and archaeological treasures of the Whydah Pirate […]

Read More

Take online classes during COVID-19 crisis

Monday, April 27, 2020

How do you make the most of your time while sheltered at home due to social distancing? The options may surprise you. Online workshops, webinars, podcasts and videos can help out-of-work employees gain new skills for career advancement. Arts and cooking classes offer personal enrichment – along with immediate benefits in the kitchen. And free […]

Read More

Culinary Creations at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Ten eager students squirm on their bar stools inside the Cultural Center of Cape Cod’s commercial kitchen, oohing and aah-ing over the dishes taking shape before them. Tonight’s first course is grilled mustard greens with burrata, roasted peppers, white anchovies, olives and wild boar sausage. Across the table, Chef Joseph Cizynski (aka Chef Joe) plates […]

Read More

Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade

Tuesday, February 18, 2020

In addition to celebrating all things Irish, this year’s Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade will offer the emotional opportunity to honor some living heroes from World War II. The special tribute to America’s Greatest Generation has been a long time coming, said Parade Committee Chairman Desmond Keogh. “We always wanted to honor our veterans in […]

Read More

Valentine’s Day in Yarmouth

Thursday, January 30, 2020

You have no excuses. Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, creating the perfect date night. And you’ve been amply warned about the convenient calendar alignment right here in this blog space – a full two weeks ahead of time. There’s also no shortage of gift ideas. We did some pre-Valentine’s Day exploration and […]

Read More

Snowshoeing in Yarmouth

Wednesday, January 22, 2020

You don’t have to drive to the hills of New Hampshire for wintertime adventure. Snowshoeing along Yarmouth’s conservation trails is a terrific way to enjoy the outdoors, without traveling off Cape or spending a mountain of money. Of course you do need snow. Cape Cod’s winters are milder than most of New England because the […]

Read More

Kick Start Your New Year’s Resolutions

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

New Year’s health resolutions don’t have to disappear like the snow in a mid-winter thaw. There are ways to make them stick for the whole year – and maybe for a lifetime. Start by making realistic resolutions – minor lifestyle changes that can have major influences on how you feel, advises Deb Mareb, owner and […]

Read More

Beat Winter’s Chill with Hot Deals at Yarmouth’s Inns and Hotels

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Need a break from the shopping, the housework or just the daily grind? Yarmouth’s inns and hotels are ready to accommodate you. When the beach crowds fade each fall, innkeepers and hotel managers look for new ways to fill their rooms – often cutting prices and partnering with other businesses for creative promotions. That means […]

Read More

Yarmouth Port Christmas Stroll

Monday, December 9, 2019

Where can you get a four-hour infusion of holiday spirit just 10 days before Christmas – and nibble on free food, sip hot cocoa or cider, and listen to live music? The answer, of course, is the Yarmouth Port Christmas Stroll, a 1.5 mile jaunt along Route 6A, with more than two-dozen local businesses offering […]

Read More

Shop local for holiday gifts

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Had it up to Saint Nick’s bearded chin with crowded shopping malls, jam-packed parking lots and impossibly long check-out lines? Then go local. Buying your holiday gifts from small, hometown shopkeepers invites a more personal experience, without the commercial chaos. Yarmouth has scores of stores offering terrific gifts for the holidays. And when you buy […]

Read More

Winter Birding on Yarmouth’s Conservation Trails

Friday, November 15, 2019

Fall and winter hikes through Yarmouth’s conservation areas provide an underappreciated view of the town’s natural beauty. The trails are quieter, marsh grasses turn to shades of gold, and fallen leaves rustle underfoot. The quiet season is also a sublime time to view winter migratory birds, which leave the frozen, snow-covered terrain in Canada to […]

Read More

Lunch dates await, now that the kids are back in school

Monday, October 21, 2019

Let’s hear it for autumn. The summer swelter has headed south, traffic is easing up, and the kids are back at school. This can only mean one thing – it’s time to relax. Suddenly you have an open schedule to take care of your own pursuits – visiting places you meant to see during the […]

Read More

Jump into fall with Yarmouth family festivals

Wednesday, October 9, 2019

By Andy Tomolonis Call it a last blast, fall fling, or one more chance to hang out with friends before the weather turns chilly and everyone starts disappearing indoors. Or just call it the Yarmouth Seaside Festival. Whatever your title, the town’s annual Columbus Day weekend bash boasts a flurry of outdoor activities during mid-October, […]

Read More

Trolley Tour Taste of Yarmouth

Friday, September 27, 2019

Would you believe the hottest ticket in town is a Saturday afternoon trolley ride? More specifically, it’s the Sixth Annual Trolley Tour Taste of Yarmouth – a gastronomical adventure carrying 200 riders on a four-hour mobile feast that covers more than a dozen Yarmouth restaurants. Like tapas on wheels, diners stop at destinations along the […]

Read More

Cultural Center Gears Up for Vintage Motorcycle Show

Thursday, September 12, 2019

You may not find that mythical tomato-can carburetor, but if legendary Harley-Davidson craftsmanship gets your engines revved, then take a ride to South Yarmouth this fall. The Exhibit The Cultural Center of Cape Cod is hosting “Art on Two Wheels,” a major exhibit of vintage motorcycles and artwork from the collection of David McGraw, who […]

Read More

Top 5 Summer Activities

Thursday, August 29, 2019

By Andy Tomolonis We’ve compiled this “sand-bucket list” of five fun things to do in and near Yarmouth – from beach walks to bike rides to meals on railroad wheels. Start your summer vacation with a few of these ideas, and the sizzling memories will keep you warm until next summer. Shore delights: Yarmouth’s beautiful […]

Read More

Sand Sculpture Trail 2019

Friday, May 31, 2019

Are you a fan of 15-ton rock-and-mineral-particle based art? Of course, you are. So, you’ll want to pay attention to this post about Yarmouth’s 2019 Sand Sculpture Trail, the longest trail in the U.S. The Sand Sculpture Trail has been a sightseeing staple, and people come from all over to see sand swept into art. […]

Read More

Your Guide to Arts & Culture in Yarmouth, MA

Thursday, May 30, 2019

Cape Cod, Massachusetts is so much more than a beautiful vacation spot with picturesque beaches and scenic nature trails. Whether you are visiting the Cape for a day or a week, you will find plenty of opportunities to explore the region’s rich arts, culture, and history. Start your exploration in Yarmouth, where sea captains anchored […]

Read More

Simple Tips for Enjoying a Sustainable Beach Vacation

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint and adopt environmentally friendly practices can be a whole lot easier at home than when you’re away. When you are taking a vacation on Cape Cod, there are several simple things you can do to be green and have a more sustainable beach vacation. Pack smart Traveling light […]

Read More

Things to Do with Kids on Cape Cod

Thursday, May 23, 2019

You’re planning a vacation on Cape Cod with the whole family, but other than spending time on the beach, you’re not sure how you’re going to pass the time. Your kids want to stay plugged into their devices. You want to focus on family time and creating memories to last a lifetime. First, book a […]

Read More

Yarmouth is for Nature Lovers

Thursday, May 23, 2019

With over 1800 acres of land dedicated to conservation’s, nature abounds in our cozy corner of Cape Cod. We’re brimming with wildlife, vegetation, forests, marshes, bogs, and like-minded people whose very nature is basking in mother nature. The Trails Yarmouth’s sprawling interconnected trails cover the land. Find sweet serenity as you hike, bike, or walk […]

Read More

Biking in Yarmouth Cap Cod

Thursday, May 23, 2019

What do you ride for? When you put your foot on the pedal, kick up the kickstand, and push off, what do you ride for? Is it the joy of the outdoors? The thrill of exploring new turf? The pleasure of spending quality time? Well, with whatever purpose you ride, you ought to be prepared. […]

Read More

Rainy Days in Yarmouth

Thursday, May 23, 2019

No matter how much time or effort you put into vacation planning, there’s one thing you can’t plan on: the weather. Even if you close your eyes real hard and wish, the clouds may swarm, the rain may hit, and your waterproof sunscreen may wash right off. Though there’s not much you can do to […]

Read More

Golfing in Yarmouth

Thursday, May 23, 2019

Yarmouth’s golf season is in full swing. With four picturesque courses, you can explore Cape Cod’s beauty the way nature intended, 18 holes at a time. Find your course, get your tee time, and swing away. The Courses Yarmouth’s golf scene is comprised of four courses. For all courses, you can reserve your tee time […]

Read More

So You’re Planning a Cape Cod Wedding

Thursday, May 23, 2019

There are lots of decisions to make when planning a wedding, and each decision will inform and influence other choices along the way. By deciding on a Cape Cod wedding, you’ve already taken a big step toward your big day. Here are some important considerations when you’re planning a wedding on Cape Cod. Best Time […]

Read More

Top 5 Best of Yarmouth: Must Stop Photo Ops

Friday, June 29, 2018

The natural beauty of Cape Cod has never been more famous than it is today. Thanks to social media, photos ops of our unique landscapes and lifestyle are shared by the thousands every week, and the Cape Cod hashtag is nearing two million posts on the photo sharing app, Instagram. Whether you are a professional […]

Read More

Top 5 Best of Yarmouth: Foodie Experiences

Friday, June 15, 2018

Yarmouth is a diverse town full of vibrant local businesses, and its restaurants are no exception. Some of our favorites  have been in business for decades, serving Cape Cod classics and new twists on tradition; others are brand new, chef-owned establishments, with modern menus to please even the most discriminating palate. For a full list […]

Read More

5 Romantic Valentine’s Ideas

Friday, December 27, 2013

Whether you’re looking to make a grand gesture or simply celebrate with your special someone, finding the right way to show how much you care can make this Valentine’s Day memorable. Beyond roses – Consult your local florist to create a personalized floral arrangement that reflects your unique relationship. Get away from it all – […]

Read More

Captain’s Mile Walking Tour

Friday, December 27, 2013

Black and gold schooner plaques identify more than 50 sea captains’ homes along a self-guided walk in Yarmouthport. Enjoy an easy stroll around the village past these historic homes which commemorate a pivotal part of Yarmouth’s history. More than 300 sea captains called Yarmouth home during the 18th and 19th centuries. Download your free: Captains’ Mile […]

Read More