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!
2023 Yarmouth Summer Concert Series
Category: Entertainment
Veteran’s Top Shot Invitational Golf Tournament
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 September. This year the two charities chosen as beneficiaries are Heroes in Transition and the Nicholas G. Xiarhos Fund.
Justin Moose, a World Class Long Drive competitor is back at it again in 2023 to hit the longest drive. New to the event this year is Yarmouth’s own Jim Hallet, a pro golfer who played the PGA Tour. Having cut his teeth playing on the Bass River Golf Course, he joins Top Shot this year to hit closest to the pin.
Registration is open for the 5th Annual Golf Tournament on May 19th. This 22-hole scramble-style tournament with be held at Yarmouth Golf Club’s own beautiful Bayberry Hills, a premier championship golf course located at 635 West Yarmouth Road in West Yarmouth. Known for its uniquely challenging formidable bunkers, waste areas, and undulations, Bayberry Hills Golf Course boasts big greens and scenic Cape Cod views. The Links at Bayberry Hills is an old-fashioned styled 9-hole course with shorter pars. Golfers in the Top Shot Invitational Golf Tournament will get to experience both courses. Each registered team is allotted two golf carts and an invitation to the Pig Roast Luncheon preceding the event. The Opening Ceremony begins at 11:30 am followed by the Shotgun Start to the competition at noon. Raffles, auctions, and the Winner Prize Presentation will take place at the conclusion of the tournament, and will be sponsored by many local small businesses from in and around Yarmouth.
To volunteer with the Veteran’s Top Shot Invitational, you can fill out this online form on their website. Don’t have time to volunteer this year but you’d still like to be involved? Find out how you can be a sponsor, or you can easily donate to the cause. 100% of donations are given to charities to support vets on Cape!
Heroes In Transition: Serving Cape Cod Veterans and Military Families
In the fall of 2009, Capt. Eric A. Jones was a young marine helicopter pilot in Afghanistan. “He flew helicopters to be close to the troops on the ground and be there to help them when they needed it most,” shares his mother, Cyndy Jones. Tragically, her son’s life would be cut too short that October 26th when his helicopter crashed during a combat mission. Soon after this unimaginable loss, Cyndy and her husband Ken were moved to carry on Eric’s name and his mission for supporting troops on the ground, and founded Heroes in Transition, (HIT) in his honor.
Sgt. John Alexander, a military police Sgt. for the US Army, and Kristen, his wife of nearly 32 years, joined HIT in 2016 as Group Facilitators and created a monthly Military Couples Group. John and Lorrie Moran run HIT’s Veteran’s Group, and Kristen leads HIT’s Spouses group. Kristen also took on the role of HIT’s Program and Volunteer Manager last year.
Kristin speaks thoughtfully of utilizing her experiences as a military spouse making “every struggle, hardship, and lesson learned worth it!… Seeing the friendships formed through our monthly group events and our couples retreat weekends feeds my soul and fills my heart. It reassures us that what we are doing is much needed, and we are doing exactly what we are meant to do!”
Heroes In Transition offers programs at no cost to military families, spouses, and veterans. Upcoming events in April include a Spring Couples Retreat, a Family Overnight Getaway, the HIT Veteran’s Cornhole Challenge, and the Veteran Equine Warrior Weekend. Scheduled events and programs are posted on HIT’s website.
Groups, activities, and events offered for free to military families and veterans are entirely funded by community partners and sponsors, as well as donations, and proceeds from the merch shop. Fundraising is a huge undertaking of combined efforts between HIT, the community, and droves of volunteers and hard work. Some of the biggest annual fundraisers to date are the Fall Gala which is coming on its 14th year, and the Ruck4HIT which celebrates its 8th anniversary in May.
To stay up to date on HIT news and current events, email contact@heroesintransition.org to subscribe to the newsletter!
For more information about how you can get involved with Heroes In Transition as a volunteer, email volunteers@heroesintransition.org.
For more information about HIT programs you can email:
veterans@heroesintransition.org
couples@heroesintransition.org
spouses@heroesintransition.org
families@heroesintransition.org
(Britt Skinner is a freelance writer.)
This blog is funded through the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund.
Holiday Shopping: Gifting Outside the Box
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 but steadily approach, our calendars fill up with family get-togethers and end-of-year celebrations with friends and colleagues. Our children begin their wish lists of newly advertised games and gadgets, (that will inevitably wind up at the bottom of the toy box by the new year), and they remind us of the gifts they need for their teachers, friends, and bus driver. Our Great-Aunt has decided on a last-minute Yankee Swap. Our parents, notoriously hard to shop for, tell us not to worry about them and that they don’t need a thing. Seemingly in cahoots with St. Nicholas, Father Time does his work and the second week of December hurries upon us when we aren’t looking.
Black Friday deals have come and gone, and as what is arguably the most shopped holiday of the year draws near, parking lots become scarce. Storefronts that brim with holy and fir garlands of bells and lights accommodate patrons who fill the aisles, busily surveying for the best deal. While the festive tunes and snowy afternoons may put us in the mood for spiced egg nog and gift-wrapping by the fire, we don’t always have the perfect gift in mind, and we don’t always have the time or luck to drive all over to look for the very perfect thing. What if our favorite people are minimalists? What if our kids just don’t have the space on their shelves for another football or Lego set? What do you get that special someone who has it all? What is a Secret Santa to do?
Gift Baskets can be thoughtfully personalized in countless ways to surprise your giftee, and on any budget. Selecting the “basket” is the first step. Make sure your gift-holding vessel of choice is big enough for cushioning material on the bottom, (tissue, shredded paper, confetti- the possibilities are endless!), and 5-7 items for a robust and visually attractive presentation. For a more customized gift choose a basket and filler that can be used as part of the gift. To finish, wrap the basket in a coordinating color of cellophane and ribbon. Want to support local businesses? Here are some gift ideas that you won’t need to leave the Yarmouth area for!
Gift Ideas from Local Yarmouth Businesses
Wicked Thrift and Pop Rock Vintage, in South Yarmouth, was Cape Cod’s best of the best winner for 2022, boasting new arrivals daily, all year-round. Featuring vintage and designer clothing, shoes, jewelry, and accessories, Wicked Thrift is an exhilarating shop to peruse the racks for that rare find. Or you can shop online for local pickup or discount shipping! A vintage handbag containing jewelry and a gift card will certainly put a smile on the faces of your fashionista friends. Can’t narrow down your choices for that special someone? Electronic and traditional gift cards are available for online and in-store use. You can visit Wicked Thrift Thursday through Saturday 10 am- 6 pm, and Sundays 11 am- 4 pm. Wicked Thrift, 1094 Route 28, South Yarmouth MA 02664. Phone: 508-648-5902
Old King’s Coffeehouse, established in 2019 is open 7 am – 3 pm year-round 7 days a week. A coffee mug containing a t-shirt and gift will energize the coffee lover in your life. Old King’s Coffeehouse, 44 Route 28, West Yarmouth, MA 02673. Phone: 774-470-5808
Ritual is your one-stop shop for the spiritual soul in your life. A small cast iron cauldron can be stuffed with an assortment of crystals, incense cones, talismans, and oracles. Gift cards are available to your pal to register for a workshop, or pick the goodies that speak to their soul. Ritual Cape Cod, 939 MA-6A Unit B, Yarmouth Port, MA 02675. Phone: 774-994-8358
Gift an Experience in Cape Cod
Experiences are a hot gift-giving trend this year, for recipients of all ages! Prolonging the excitement of the season with the promise of a fun experience can be even more valuable than the trinkets and consumables that are more traditionally chosen as gifts. It’s the perfect treat for the loved one in your life that has it all! You don’t have to travel far and wide to gift an experience, nor does your giftee!
Ryan Amusements has locations on Cape and beyond for bowling and games. The South Yarmouth location offers bowling, cornhole, and for those over 18 years old- axe throwing! Special offers are available at select locations, and of course, gift cards are perfect for stocking stuffers for the whole family! Ryan Amusements, 1067 Route 28, S. Yarmouth, MA 02664. Phone: 508-394-5644
Cape Cod Gymnastics offers classes for kids of all skill levels in various sessions throughout the year. Register your child for 2022 Holiday Vacation Mini Flips Tuesday, Dec 27th through Friday, Dec 30th, and keep them busy during vacation! Cape Cod Gymnastics, 5 Corporation Rd – Yarmouth Port, MA 02675. Phone: (508) 744-7751
Whydah Pirate Museum is hosting children’s events during the last week in December and Saturdays in January and is included with admission. Gift certificates and cards are available for ticket purchase and the gift store. Take a look at the calendar and plan a visit! Whydah Pirate Museum, 674 MA-28, West Yarmouth, MA 02673. Phone: 508-534-9571
Cultural Center of Cape Cod’s mission is “to serve the entire Cape community and visitors to the area by offering instruction, entertainment, and exhibition in the visual, literary, and performing arts.” Buy tickets for the Winter Magic Antiques Show, or treat someone special to an upcoming class for them to discover a new hobby, or learn techniques for an existing favorite! Upcoming classes include Pastel Painting: Still Life and Interiors-Painting the familiar with Betsy Payne Cook, Introduction to Wheelthrowing, with Holly Heaslip, and “The Art Spirit” with Susan Overstreet. Winter Magic: A Quality Antiques Show on Sunday, January 1, 2023, from 10 AM – 3 PM. Cultural Center of Cape Cod, 307 Old Main St, South Yarmouth, MA 02664. Phone: 508-394-7100
Happy Shopping and Happy Holidays!
This blog is funded through the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund.
Photo credit: Britt Skinner
(Britt Skinner is a freelance writer.)
Making magick at Ritual
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 2021 after selling her popular boutique in Hyannis in pursuit of new endeavors. Having planned to take some time off to regroup in between projects, the universe- as it sometimes does- delivered just the right set of circumstances, and within a month Ritual found its home in Yarmouth Port.
Natural wooden shelving displays a wide variety of USDA, FDA-certified organic, and ethically wildcrafted dried herbs.
A string of bells jingle as two women enter the shop, and Holly is summoned from the firepit out back where she had been chatting with Meghan Hamilton, a Tarot reader and medium who does readings and Spell Consultations by appointment and walk-in on Fridays. Holly greets and invites her guests to browse to their spirit’s content through the ethereal collection of pewter and ceramic bowls brimming with skeleton keys and polished rings of hematite. Books of spellcasting and potions, meditations, and prayers span the rooms, intermingled with a wide array of oracle cards and idols, incense cones, and bottled bones. A full corner of the shop hosts shelves upon shelves of glass bottles of various dried resins and dried herbs, including some that are harder to source, and used for magical purposes- like Blue, White, Red, and Sacred Lotus.
“We are open to all practices and paths. We try to have material, books or ephemera to everybody who walks through our door.” -Holly, Owner of Ritual
Perhaps surprisingly, is Holly’s down to Earth approach to the otherworldy. “I like being able to change people’s conception of things,” describing how people unfamiliar with metaphysical things can perceive them as scary. “Either way we are all making meatloaf. Just using a different recipe,” she explains, and as such, she advises her patrons to let their individual intuition be the guide for which crystal, deck, or talisman to select. One woman approaches the counter with a handblown glass wand, an opaline bracelet, and a shiny piece of black tourmaline. Her friend, unable to choose between her narrowed-down selection of beaded gemstone bracelets, decides to go with all four; black onyx, rainbow fluorite, clear and rose quartz, and a bag of loose white sage. They talk amongst each other about scheduling a card reading as they exit the way they came in, past the one item in the store that is not for sale. A huge amethyst geode made to resemble a shark with its large googly eyes, aptly named Bruce.
Handmade and Artisan Products in Cape Cod
Ritual proudly offers handmade and artisan products crafted by local artists and practitioners on Cape Cod and nearby communities and is hosting its 2nd annual Salty Witches Samhain Market on October 30th.
Other upcoming events can be found on the website, including Psychic Readings with Kris on Tuesdays, Tarot, and Oracle on Wednesdays, and Energy Healing on Thursdays with Molly. Register for Conscious Creation, a 4 Week Intuitive Writing Workshop beginning November 4th. Jerry Marchand will share his knowledge of rare crystal and mineral specimens on November 12th, with 5% of the proceeds of his sales to benefit the Dakin Humane Society. Be sure to check the website and Facebook for updates and new events, including big news at the end of December!
Ritual is located at 939 Rt. 6A, Unit B
Yarmouth Port, MA 02675.
(774) 994-8358
ritualcapecod@gmail.com
ritualcapecod.com
This blog is funded through the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund.
Photo credit: Britt Skinner
(Britt Skinner is a freelance writer.)
Thacher Hall, A Hidden Gem in Plain Sight
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 1870, constructed by John Hinckley, with towering gothic arches, and stained glass windows. The church was originally the spiritual home to Swedenborgian Christians, (a popular denomination of its time), and was congregated for about a hundred years until the number of parishioners dwindled too low to maintain the edifice, and it fell into devastating disrepair.
In 1998 when Cape Cod community members, who wanted to see the property reinvented as a community center, organized The Yarmouth New Church Preservation Foundation, a local board of volunteer directors purchased the former church building for $1 and began the mission to breathe new life into the old bones of the building and utilize it as a community center. Sorely needed renovations continue to be primarily funded by donations, ticket sales, and the yearly contributions of the Friends of the Yarmouth New Church Preservation Foundation. Since then, the foundation has brought the building up to current fire codes and handicapped accessibility, improved water, and electrical services, and updated the sound and lighting systems.
A Great Place to Visit in Cape Cod
The carefully renovated belltower and belfry preserve the ethereal beauty and soul of the place, and the restored original stained-glass windows and frescoed walls overlook the original tracker pipe organ. Adding to its attention-drawing uniquely exquisite character are pews crafted of American Chestnut, a hardwood that became functionally extinct after a catastrophic blight in the early 20th century.
However, even with all the restorations, a new roof, and a fresh coat of paint to broadcast its readiness to be a part of the community as a whole, the building is still frequently mistaken for a church. A common misconception that was perpetuated by the old name, The New Church. On June 26, 2022, after plans were temporarily halted by the COVID19 pandemic, the building was rebranded as Thacher Hall at a dedication ceremony by the foundation and members of the Cape Cod community.
Yarmouth resident and foundation Event Manager, Victoria Krukowski, explains that while the beautiful building’s allure contains the staples, and ambiance of a gorgeous old church, it no longer holds any religious affiliations, and is the perfect venue for local artists to display galleries of their work in a place that according to her feels like taking a step back in time. Having a career background as a musician with the symphony orchestra, she appreciates how the rustic space carries soulful acoustics, and she deeply admires the historical artifacts and quirky intricacies that Thacher Hall offers a remarkable choice for private and community events.
Previous events have included Open Mic Nights, weddings, memorial services, the Cape Cod Chamber Orchestra, Haunted Octobers, and Christmas Strolls. Since 2020 it has been used as a community art center. Planned Events and availability can be found on the website, and they can be reached by phone at 508-744-7368, and by Email at events@yarmouthportcommon.org.
Thacher Hall invites you to attend a Historic 1870 Organ Demonstration and Concert at 2 pm on Sunday, August 7th, 2022, where you can learn the history of the organ, see how the organ is built, and hear it played by Dr. Mark Lawlor, of the American Guild of Organists of Cape Cod and the islands. This family-friendly event is free to attend.
Thacher Hall is located at 266 Route 6A (Main Street), in Yarmouthport.
This blog is funded through the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund.
Photo credits: Britt Skinner and William DeSousa-Mauk
(Britt Skinner is a freelance writer.)
Yarmouth in the Revolution
In order to recognize the 250th anniversary of the events leading up to, and of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War Commemorative Committee is researching events and filling gaps in our knowledge with an emphasis on primary sources, and the correcting of myths, embellishments, and unsupported generalities passed down over the years. We hope readers will be inspired to share with us family lore, diaries, letters, stories, or documents about the Revolution in “old” Yarmouth.
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Summer is in full swing on Cape Cod
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 Cod Baseball League games played by the most up-and-coming college players with big dreams of making it to the Major Leagues.
Red Wilson Field, named in 1981 for legendary Yarmouth coach, manager, and player Merrill “Red” Wilson, located at D-Y High School, has been home to the Red Sox since 1973. However, it would be another 4 years until the team would be expanded to include the town of Dennis. Over 40 years later, the 2022 Yarmouth-Dennis Red-Sox are off to a great start, currently holding first place in the East Division. The team recently had seven players selected onto the Easts All Star Roster, including two starting fielders, two reserve fielders, and three pitchers.
The 24th year of coaching for Scott “Pick” Pickler has seen him break the record for all-time managerial wins in the Cape Cod Baseball League. On June 25th after a 5 to 3 win against the Cotuit Kettleers, Pick earned his 540th win, all with the Y-D Red Sox, earning cheers and accolades from the team and fans. “He is a great coach, a great ambassador for the community, and a great leader of these young men. We couldn’t be prouder of all his accomplishments,” boasts Shane Skinner, Interim President of the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox, who was there for the record-breaking game, and had the honor of presenting Pick with a plaque to commemorate the win. Pick and his team, in doing their part to give back to the community, have been involved by volunteering their time with many local organizations, including Cape Cod Five, Ryan’s Family Amusements, the Red Jacket, and the Dennis Senior Center.
Being involved with the Cape Cod Baseball League has been a blessing for Shane. “I’ve always had a passion for sports,” he explains, “and being able to combine that passion with my experience of running businesses is like a dream come true.” Shane can be found at each and every home game making sure things run smoothly and overseeing all business operations. With the help of ten dedicated baseball fans on the Board of Directors, over 30 Volunteer Interns, and over a dozen Community Volunteers, the Yarmouth-Dennis Red-Sox enthusiastically hosts a fun Game Day experience for families and fans of all ages. At a recent game, a small group of young kids stood up in the balcony next to the press box and sang “Take Me Out To The Ball Game,” a new addition to the festivities this year. “I’d say most nights it’s about 60% giggles and 40% singing which is just great,” Shane laughs. “The kids love it.” Singers have come from all over the state, and some from right here on Cape to sing the National Anthem before games, and set the scene for a family-fun night of good ol’ American baseball.
Upwards of two thousand fans per game don Red-Sox gear, lining the bleachers and dotting the outskirts of the field with beach chairs, for their chance to see superstars in the making. The merchandise booth offers trinkets, hats, and attire for all ages to support their favorite team. Families who come early can observe batting practice and then partake in some of the in-game events. This week on Tuesday 7/19 is Pokémon at the Park Night, hosted by the Cape Cod Toy Chest, and patrons can enter with Pixy 103 to win a baseball autographed by the team. On Thursday 7/21, the players will be available after the game to greet fans and sign baseballs, souvenir bats, and other items. Concessions offer a satisfying assortment of ball-game favorites like sausage subs, hot dogs, burgers, pretzels, and cold drinks. They sell out of hot delicious Paradise Pizza by the 5th inning, so be sure to order early! The 50/50 shed will have raffle tickets on sale, in addition to candy and drinks. The raffle is held at the bottom of the 7th inning. The Y-D Red Sox, and the entire Cape Cod Baseball League, strive to maintain a family-friendly atmosphere. Admission and parking are free, but tax-deductible donations are always welcome. As a not-for-profit establishment, donations keep the team equipped and outfitted, and able to put on a great season year after year.
Baseball Clinics For Kids
Youth Baseball Clinics for ages 5-16 run Monday-Friday from 9-11:30 am and are run by Coach Pickler, the Assistant Coaches, and some of the players. “It’s just a great opportunity. These kids get to go out there and play some baseball and learn some skills from these top players and have a great time each week. The weekly clinics end with a kids vs. family baseball game. I just played against my two sons, and we couldn’t have had a better time.” The last week for the 2022 clinics begins Monday 7/25. Registration can be completed online or at the field.
There’s a saying amongst the team:
When on Cape Cod you must:
- Go the beach
- Eat a lobstah
- Go to a Y-D baseball game
We hope to see you there!
For more info about the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox visit the website, or find them on Instagram and Facebook.
This blog is funded through the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund.
Photo credit: Y-D Red Sox Intern Sadie Parker
(Britt Skinner is a freelance writer.)
Things to Do with Kids in Yarmouth
You planned a vacation in Yarmouth 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.
Check out our list of fun things to do when you are visiting Yarmouth and Cape Cod with children of any age.
Explore the area by land or sea
With water everywhere, you can enjoy a nautical adventure with a sightseeing cruise or a ferry to one of the nearby islands. Or take a drive through quaint towns and villages–an opportunity to encourage younger ones to take a nap while you soak in some of the picturesque views.
Go whale watching
Seeing whales in their natural habitat is awe-inspiring. While there’s no guarantee of how many whales you will see on your excursion, the boat ride alone will take a significant part of your day. Whale-watching trips are generally close to four hours, and you’ll want to leave yourself enough time beforehand for boarding.
Reel them in with some fishing
The variety of water bodies in Yarmouth provides a wide range of fishing options. Search out a lake, pond, or riverside fishing hole, or take to the high seas for a day of trawling on the open waters. Even if you prefer catch-and-release, a day spent fishing teaches patience and persistence. Plus, it can give you time to slow down, relax, and talk with your kids about anything, everything, or nothing at all.
Get out
Burn off some energy with outdoor adventures. Take in the scenery by biking, kayaking, sailing, or taking a trek on the dunes. Let the kids take the wheel on a go-kart track or cool off at the Wicked Waves Water Park.
Play a round or two
On Cape Cod, you’ll find expertly designed golf courses of all sizes. Not only can you take the whole family mini-golfing on a putt-putt course, but you can play 9 or 18 holes with your older children on links with incredible scenic views.
Step back in time
Explore Yarmouth’s rich history and culture at a variety of museums and historical centers. Visit the homes of notable literary figures, check out sites that recreate the region’s legends and lore, and give your children an education without their even realizing it.
Indulge in a sweet treat
Regardless of how else you spend the day taking a break for ice cream makes everything a little sweeter. Treat the kids to an afternoon snack or delicious dessert. Or, for teens who sleep in all morning, surprise them with ice cream for a late breakfast. It’s sure to create memories they’ll hang on to for years to come.
Cheer for the home team
No tickets are needed to turn out to root for your favorite Y-D Red Sox players. Bring the whole family to watch some of the best collegiate players take to the diamond. You never know when you’ll see a future phenom, like former Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox pitcher Chris Sale.
Spend time on the beach
Yes, this one is obvious, but it’s an essential part of a stay in Yarmouth. There are many beautiful beaches with options on both Cape Cod Bay and Nantucket Sound sides. Not only can you go swimming, but you can walk or play along the water’s edge or just listen to the water going in and out. Teaching your children how to unplug and just live in the moment is an essential lesson for the years ahead.
Kids grow from toddlers to teens all too fast. But with our suggestion of ways to entertain your family on the Cape, you’re sure to find plenty of reasons to keep coming back year after year.
This blog is funded through the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund.
The 2022 Cape Cod Pirate Festival
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, developer, agent, and director of the Florida Renaissance Festival, he began motivating businesses to run their work virtually when COVID started taking its toll. Chris started a specialized event planning company, New Latitude Event Solutions, that focused on virtual events for small non-profits and small businesses, noting that many small businesses didn’t have the tools or resources to get the job done. “I kind of jumped in to help out,” he says. As in-person events began to return, friends and family began to encourage him to go back to his roots. “So I decided to launch the Cape Pirate Festival last year with about two months to plan it.” He goes on to say “It was a frenzy. And it was a ton of fun!” To say it was a great success is an understatement. About 2000 people attended the event by the end of the first week, and Chris knew that this was the beginning of an amazing thing. It seems that he was right!
Tickets to the event will shiver your timbers with Swashbuckling Adventures offering family-friendly fun with interactive fairy tale shows, storytelling, and original music calling to our inner Vikings, Celtics, sea-battled pirates, and wenches. Respectively. Each day of the 4-day event has a unique theme inviting guests to get into character and play along for an increasingly immersive experience. Whether you’re a sea-legged old salt or young-blooded landlubber, you are invited to dress and talk like a pirate, be an ambassador representing your own otherworldly realm, or enjoy a 4 Day Season Pass and get exclusive access to after-hours scallywaggin’, VIP booty, and bragging rights. Contests and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, photos, and more! Don’t have a costume? Avast ye! You can look in ye duffle come up with your own, or dig into your coffer to throw down a few doubloons to get yar’self the garb for the occasion. No need to pillage and plunder if you can’t find the perfect piece, as you’re sure to find last-minute costumes, jewelry, accessories, and souvenirs with an assortment of vendors that will be scattered across the grounds. So, pop on your peg leg, grab a parrot and your hearties, and join the fun!
Practice your song and dance, maties, because there’s a song around every corner. This year’s festival is packed full of local and national talent including the war pipes and drums band Cu Dubh, featuring TikTok sensation Ally the Piper, the exclusively assembled pirate-themed rock and roll band The Plankwalkers, and a locally homegrown group of Chauncey singers, the Whydah Washashores. “We have wonderful talent here on Cape,” Chris proudly exclaims. “We’ve got some of the best voices and performers on Cape Cod!”
If you’d like to splice the mainbrace at the pub, you’ll find it staffed by the Harlot Queens, who’ll be pouring and performing in a pirates-meet-coyote-ugly fashion. The 1000 Islands Pirate Society will launch a “stationary pub crawl” consisting of drinking games and traditional games, telling stories as they move from table to table interacting with the crowd. If pub life isn’t your bag, a wide variety of food will also be available from vendors at the festival.
“It’s a blast! It’s great for families. It’s great for young couples and groups of friends who want to go out. There’s a little bit of everything.”
-Chris Shultz, Founder of the Cape Cod Pirate Festival
The 2nd Annual Cape Cod Pirate Fest will occur at the YARMOUTH FAIRGROUNDS located at 669 MA-28 in West Yarmouth for “two roguish weekends” June 4th & 5th and June 11th & 12th from 10:30 am – 6:30 pm.
This event is partially funded through the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund.
This blog is funded through the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund.
(Britt Skinner is a freelance writer.)
Doing the Steps: Edward Gorey and the Dance of Art
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 he endearingly referred to them, his cats. Edward Gorey’s work as an author, illustrator, and designer spanned nearly 50 years, earning him a Tony Award for Best Costume Design for his work on the Broadway revival of Dracula, and a cult following for his exquisitely gothic style of illustration and macabre surrealism.
“I must say, I don’t always understand Ted’s books, but I do like them.” – Edward Gorey’s mother, Helen
In 1953 Edward Gorey self-published his first book, The Unstrung Harp, thus beginning a cascade of literary nonsense with distinctive pen and ink lines depicting the delightfully dreadful in over a hundred more books, and by the time of his death, several more unpublished manuscripts stashed neatly, (and haphazardly), around his home. His work became the inspiration for Lemony Snickett’s Series of Unfortunate Events, Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas, and Neil Gaiman’s Coraline for which Gaiman lamented was written after Edwards’s death, thereby missing its chance for his illustration. Edward himself wrote his books using both his given name and its anagrams, such as Ogdred Weary, Raddory Gewe, and D. Awdrey-Gore. As private as he was popular, Gorey preferred to avoid the spotlight. Very much an animal lover and advocate, he usually had up to 6 cats, the perfect number according to him. Before he died he established The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust to manage his legacy and estate, and to support his favorite animal welfare organizations locally and afar. The upstairs of the house continues to be occupied by cats, keeping the spirit of the home authentically charmed.
Today, 22 years after his death, The Edward Gorey House stands as an archive for his admired collections of rocks, trinkets, books, and the grotesque. Cheese graters are casually displayed with skulls. A preserved Belgian waffle and a mosaic of checks from his favorite dining spot, Jack’s Outback II, are framed together on the kitchen wall. Handmade puppets and dolls adorn the rooms and halls amongst his characters and illustrations. One hapless child’s legs and feet protrude from a rug. A collection of old matches is stacked on the mantle. A bottle of lye on the windowsill.
Past year’s exhibits have included He wrote it all down Zealously: Edward Gorey’s Interesting Lists in 2020, and Hapless Children: Drawings from Mr. Gorey’s Neighborhood in 2021. This year’s Exhibit is Doing the Steps: Edward Gorey and the Dance of Art, which shares with us the influence Edward’s passionate infatuation with the New York City Ballet had on his art and life.
“Gorey once said that he could visualize that progression of ballets in his head, like a movie he could play forward or backward, decades of form and movement and story—literally, at his fingertips.”
The Edward Gorey House is open from early April through the end of December each year.
8 Strawberry Lane • Yarmouth Port, MA 02675
508-362-3909 • edwardgoreyhouse@verizon.net
Click here to see house visiting hours, tour times, and admission info. Reservations are encouraged due to limited capacity. Admission is free for members.
This blog is funded through the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund.
(Britt Skinner is a freelance writer.)