Pirates Invade Historic Cold Spring Village on Seafarers’ Weekend

Ahoy, matey! Historic Cold Spring Village invites you to celebrate the maritime culture and history of the Jersey Cape at Seafarers’ Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, August 22-23, from 10am-4:30pm. The event will feature pirates, music, family fun, and a variety of displays and demonstrations of all things nautical. The Village buildings will also be open, featuring historical interpreters in period clothing who demonstrate the trades, crafts and lifestyles of Early America. “There is such a rich heritage related to the sea in and around Cape May County,” said HCSV Executive Director Anne Salvatore, “It’s important we celebrate that and present the history to our visitors.”

Valhalla’s Pirates will join the event, bringing thrilling fight scenes both days at 12pm and 3pm. Captain Black and his crew will also meet with guests throughout the day to take pictures and tell tales of the sea. The Sea Dogs, an authentic maritime reenactment crew, will perform sea chanties on both Saturday and Sunday at the Village Gazebo. New Jersey historian, Lee Ireland, will offer a talk on his book, American Pirates and Their Hidden Treasures, at 1pm in the Welcome Center on both Saturday and Sunday. The Friends of HCSV will host a traditional South Jersey corn roast at the Village Pavilion from 11am-4pm. And visitors should be on the lookout for gold coins hidden throughout the Village that can be redeemed for cool prizes! This event is generously sponsored by Exit Zero Publishing.

While celebrating the seafaring history of the Jersey Cape, what could be better than to dine on a full seafood buffet? The Village is hosting the 2nd Annual Seafood Feast at the Cold Spring Grange Restaurant on Saturday, August 22nd from 5pm to 7pm. The Cold Spring Grange Restaurant’s own chef Vincent Buchter will cater the event, bringing a unique combination of locally produced, farm-to-table delicacies and comfort foods to the full seafood buffet. Proceeds from the Seafood Feast will benefit the restoration of the c. 1804 Stillwell and Elizabeth Corson Barn. Tickets are $45.00 per person. Advance purchase is required. Please call (609) 898-2300 ext. 10 to purchase tickets.

Historic Cold Spring Village is a non-profit, open-air living history museum that portrays the daily life of a rural South Jersey community of the Early American period. It features 26 restored historic structures on a 30-acre site. Tuesday through Sunday, from late June to early September, interpreters and artisans in period clothing preserve the trades, crafts and heritage of “the age of homespun.” Fun and educational activities for children are featured Tuesday through Sunday, with special events every weekend through September.

The Village is located on Route 9, three miles north of Victorian Cape May and a mile and a half west of the southern terminus of the Garden State Parkway. Admission during the season is $12 for adults and $10 for children ages 3 to 12. Children under 3 are admitted free. Unlimited free admission is available with Village membership. The Village Nature Trail at Bradner’s Run is open to the public for free self-guided tours. Visit the Country Store, Bakery, Ice Cream Parlor and Cold Spring Grange Restaurant. For more information on events, membership, volunteering, or booking private affairs, please call (609) 898-2300, ext. 10, or visit the Village website at www.hcsv.org.