Craft Beer & Crab Festival Returns to Emlen Physick Estate

CAPE MAY – You won’t want to miss delicious family fun with steamed crabs, pulled pork, local and regional craft beers and all-day entertainment during this year’s traditional summer feast on the beautiful grounds of the Emlen Physick Estate, at the Craft Beer & Crab Festival Aug. 10, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) with major funding by PNC Bank and Gold Coast Production Management.

Come to the Emlen Physick Estate, 1048 Washington St. and stretch out on your lawn chair or relax under the tent during this all-day festival that celebrates the best of summer in Cape May and was named one of the 5 Best NJ Summer Festivals by CBS NY.

Have fun cracking open freshly steamed crabs and savor the delicious sweetness of this summertime picnic favorite. Choose from other favorite summer foods including crab cake sandwiches and pulled pork sandwiches. Stop by the hot dog stand where you can purchase hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, cookies, soda and freshly squeezed lemonade. Cool off with ice cream and water ice.

Wash down these delicious summertime foods with craft beer from local and regional breweries in the beer garden under a tent on the estate lawn. Purchase and enjoy a variety of local and regional craft beers from the Harrison Beverage 10-tap beer truck, including Victory Brewing, Goose Island, Tuckahoe Brewing, Starr Hill, Blue Point, Duvel, East Coast, Kona, Ithaca, Prism, Sierra Nevada, Flying Fish, and Belfast Bay Brewing Company, with other selections including non-beer beverages.

Relax under the shade of the estate’s mature trees and listen to live music on the stage near Hill House. Bring a lawn chair or spread out your beach blanket for a great afternoon and evening of non-stop musical performers, including The Quixote Project, an upbeat seven-piece folk band, New Pony, playing New Orleans funk, David Landry with acoustic top 40 hits, and The Herb Moore Trio, Cape May’s local jazz trio. In between enjoy live radio broadcasts from WMGM 103.7 FM playing classic rock with special guest appearance by on-air personality Sean Patrick. Cape May’s community radio station, WCFA-LP 101.5 FM, will also be reporting and broadcasting live from the event.

Bring the entire family to enjoy kid-friendly activities including lawn games and a dunk tank. Acrobats from the Give & Take Little Circus will delight and entertain all throughout the day and offer lessons in juggling.

Explore the variety of crafts and food vendors on the estate grounds selling hand-made and vintage items.

Admission to the grounds is free and free parking is available at the Cape May Elementary School, 921 Lafayette St., only a few blocks away from the Emlen Physick Estate. A free trolley shuttle will operate from the Washington Street Mall Information Booth, Washington Street Mall at Ocean Street, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. There will be a charge for crabs, food, beverages and some activities. Commemorative pint glasses, crab hats and T-shirts will be available for purchase. Proceeds of the event benefit MAC’s numerous educational outreach programs.

The Craft Beer & Crab Festival is presented by MAC with funding provided at the “King Crab” level by PNC Bank, Gold Coast Production Management and Nobil Food Services; at the “Horseshoe Crab” level by the Fairthorne Bed & Breakfast, Exit Zero, Atlantic City Electric, DeSatnick Realty and Longport Media/WMGM 103.7; and at the “Hermit Crab” level by the Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cape May.

The Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts & Humanities (MAC) is a multifaceted not-for-profit organization committed to promoting the preservation, interpretation, and cultural enrichment of the Cape May region for its residents and visitors. MAC membership is open to all. For information about MAC’s year-round schedule of tours, festivals, and special events, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278, or visit MAC’s Web site at www.capemaymac.org. For information about historic accommodations, contact Cape May Historic Accommodations at www.capemaylodging.com.