Category: Events

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 has spent much of his life acquiring and restoring old Harley-Davidson racing bikes.

The exhibit features dozens of rare and unusual machines dating back more than 100 years. How rare and unusual? Try a 1915 K Board Tracker, a 1927 Pea Shooter, and a 1936 EL Knucklehead. If that’s not enough, there’s a 1949 Flat Track, a 2005 Destroyer drag bike, and 38 others – each meticulously restored by McGraw, who scoured swap meets, journeyed to junkyards, and surfed eBay to track down elusive parts.

In total, the “Art on Two Wheels” collection features 43 motorcycles, along with an eclectic mix of motorcycle posters, signs, and artwork.

“We’ve hosted hundreds of amazing exhibits since we opened in 2007, including rare Hollywood memorabilia and costumes, and every kind of art you can imagine,” said Cultural Center Executive Director Robert Nash. “But this one will take the cake.”

The Cultural Center will celebrate the exhibit with “Leather and Lace,” an evening reception on Sept. 20, before the exhibit’s public opening on Sept. 21. The show runs through late November.

Patience, Passion and Style

McGraw says it can take years for him to restore a single motorcycle, although he typically works on four or five bikes simultaneously. His method is painstaking and pursued with the passion of a cross-country ride.

“When I find enough parts, I amass everything I need to assemble the bike,” he said in an interview with the Cultural Center. “But before I restore it, I fit everything, do the body work, then take it all apart, clean it up, paint and polish, plating, and then put it all together again.”

It was a friend who got him started.

McGraw says he restored antique cars for a business, but he always loved motorcycles so he decided to build his own from scratch. The bike came out beautifully, McGraw says, but his friend told him nobody else would appreciate the effort that went into the project, suggesting that he restore old motorcycles instead. So McGraw bought a 1928 Harley “two-cam,” went to work, and got hooked. “That one bit me,” he said.

Although McGraw’s collection is full of unique machines, there is a common thread:

“When I finally decided that I was going to concentrate on bikes for a collection, my father told me, ‘You’ve got to pick one thing and try to be a little distinctive,’ ” McGraw said. “So I picked racing machines, because they have a history and they’re hard to find. Usually they’re thrown away,” he explained. “But I wanted my collection to be the full era – from start until now – of Harley race bikes.”

McGraw prefers a modern Harley for long-distance rides — sometimes from coast to coast and often to Sturgis and other iconic destinations — but he usually travels the Cape on the bikes he’s restored. His heart belongs to the storied machines in his collection, he says.

What’s his favorite bike? “That’s a tough one. I’d say one of my favorites is the Harley two cam,” he told the Cultural Center. “I had a black one that I rode for 15 years. I just loved the look of it … and it was Harley’s racing engine, de-tuned and put into a street bike … so right from the dealer in 1928 it could go 85 miles an hour. And in 10 minutes of tuning you could hit 100. But no road could handle that back then. So it was only on a track situation. But it was very expensive. It was $390 in 1928. You could buy a very nice car for that back then.”

If you Go….

Before you push off, there’s a few key things you should know about the biking laws in Massachusetts. Follow these rules and regulations to keep yourself and others safe from harm:Cyclists are required to obey all local and state traffic laws and regulations

Tickets to “Art on Two Wheels” are $10 for a full day and $50 for the “Leather and Lace” pre-opening reception. They can be purchased at the Cultural Center, 307 Old Main St., South Yarmouth, 508-394-7100. Find more information on the Cultural Center of Cape Cod website: cultural-center.org, and a separate “Art on Two Wheels” website, artontwowheels.org,

“The excitement is building,” Executive Director Nash says, “and we expect to see visitors from around the world who have planned their travel to coincide with this great opportunity to experience something unique and memorable.”

Andy Tomolonis is an author, travel writer, blogger and freelance writer.

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. The trail officially opens Memorial Day and runs through Columbus Day.

This year, visitors will be able to scout 33 original detailed sculptures. The sculptures are scattered throughout the town’s landmarks and mostly along Route 28. You can find a map of the trail here, or pick one up from the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce Visitors Centers located on Route 28 and along Route 6 East or some participating businesses.

What do the sand sculptures look like?

Every year Fitzysnowman Sculpting makes new and original designs by working with the businesses on their vision for the sand sculpture. Past sculptures have included ships, town landmarks, and even starfish-themed movie characters! You’ll have to see them all this year and tell us your favorite!

How are the sand sculptures made?

Amazingly, these extremely detailed pieces of art are made with a special quarried sand and tender loving care. It takes a professional artist a full day to build a single sculpture using shovels and hand tools.  When finished, the sand structures are surprisingly strong. The weakest spot is the surface, so the artists apply a mix of Elmer’s glue and water to coat each sculpture and protect it from the elements.[

To keep them around for the whole season so that everyone may enjoy them, we ask that you don’t go inside the roped areas and definitely don’t touch the sculptures.

Take part in our Sand Sculpture Photo Contest!

Every year, we have a photo contest where you can win gift certificates to local businesses. This year, you can submit your photos for three categories: Most Creative, Sand Sculpture Selfies, and Best Location Photo. The contest runs through early September. You can find detailed information about rules and submissions here.

Be sure to follow us on social media. We have a dedicated Facebook page, Yarmouth Sand Sculpture Trail Photo Contest 2019, or find us on Instagram @sandsculpturephotocontest.

The annual Yarmouth Sand Sculpture Trail is sponsored by the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce and participating businesses, with partial funding from the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Revenue Preservation Fund.

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 of Year to Get Married on Cape Cod

If you have your heart set on a specific date or time of year, some of the challenges below will have less of an impact your decisions. But they’re still important to keep in mind when planning your Cape Cod wedding.

Getting married on Cape Cod in the spring or fall tends to be less expensive than in the summer tourist season. Hotels are less likely to require a two-night minimum, giving you more options and flexibility.

You can also expect less traffic than you will experience during the peak vacation months of June, July, and August.

Most businesses will be open from mid to late April through October, but make sure to confirm availability, especially if you decide to get married during the winter months.

Finding a Location for Your Cape Cod Beach Wedding

There are plenty of beaches on Cape Cod where you can get married. Some wedding venues have beachfront property where you can exchange vows.

It may be much less expensive to get married on a public beach, but you will need to check with the specific town regarding availability, restrictions, necessary permits, and any associated fees. Some locations may limit the number of guests, time of day when your wedding and reception can take place, and whether alcohol is permitted.

For example, at Parker’s River Gazebo in Yarmouth overlooking the beach, weddings must be held after 4 pm, while at Bass Hole/Gray’s Beach weddings must conclude by dusk. And the picturesque Judah Baker Windmill can only accommodate 20 people or less.

Available amenities also vary widely. Packet Landing Pavilion along the Bass River has a beautiful pavilion with open air deck and public restrooms. For weddings in any season, Lorusso Lodge at Flax Pond offers 2,000 sq.ft. of indoor event space, as well as outdoor pavilions and a gazebo.

Choosing Accommodations for Your Cape Cod Wedding

If you have a long guest list, you may well find yourself limited in your choice of venues and places to stay, especially during the height of tourist season.

Regardless of where you hold your ceremony, consider staying in Yarmouth, MA where you are more likely to be able to find accommodations for a larger number of people. Its central location makes it convenient for your guests to go just about anywhere on the Cape. In Yarmouth, you will find just about any type of accommodations to suit yourself and your guests, including resorts, hotels, bed & breakfasts, rental cottages, camping, and even pet-friendly options.

Unique Things to Consider for Your Cape Cod Wedding

There are a few unique considerations to keep in mind when planning your Cape Cod wedding.

Make sure to ask about noise ordinances. Some towns have a noise curfew when your musicians will need to unplug. Or you may need to have acoustic music for the entire reception.

Off-Cape vendors may have a surcharge or additional fees for their travel time. Consider hiring local wedding vendors to keep things simple.

Getting a Marriage License for Your Cape Cod Wedding

As mentioned above, there may be permits and fees necessary if you’re getting married on a public beach. Plus, there may be restrictions on whether alcohol can be served.

When you’re making your plans for the big day, don’t overlook the most important piece – your marriage license.

In Massachusetts, you should be able to apply for your marriage license in any town, not just the one where you will be tying the knot. Marriage license requirements vary by town, however, so make sure you have the most up-to-date information about Massachusetts marriage license requirements.

While you do not have to be a state resident to get married in Massachusetts, both you and your future spouse will need to apply for your marriage license in person. You will both have to show a valid government-issued photo ID.

There is a three-day waiting period after you file your intent to wed before you receive your marriage license, so be sure to leave yourself enough time before the wedding. Your marriage license is good for 60 days.

After your wedding, your officiant must sign the license and return it to where it was issued.

Planning Your Perfect Day and Other Celebrations

Whatever your vision for your Cape Cod wedding, with a little preparation you’re sure to have a memorable day. And as you make your wedding plans, consider holding other festivities–like your wedding shower, bachelor or bachelorette parties, honeymoon, and even future anniversary getaways–on Cape Cod.