THIS WEEKEND: Festival, Air Show, Sidewalk Sale & More!

Looking for something to do this weekend? Check out some of the fun going on at the shore!

Annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention
Thursday-Saturday, September 11th through 13th
Where: Wildwood

The Annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention takes place from Sept. 11 through Sept. 13, attracting thousands of firemen and their families to the five-mile island for meetings, seminars, exhibits and other events.

Fall Sidewalk Sale
Thursday-Sunday, September 11th through 14th
Where: Washington Street Mall – 300-500 Washington St, Cape May

Check out the sales and deals at stores throughout the Mall!

Firefighters’ Weekend Craft Show
Friday-Saturday, September 12th & 13th
Where: Sunrise Park – Rambler Rd and Ocean Ave, Wildwood Crest

A variety of craft vendors will be at Sunrise Park at Rambler Road and Ocean Avenue in Wildwood Crest. Hours are Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call (609) 523-0202 or visit http://www.VisitWildwoodCrest.com.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Celebration
Friday, September 12th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Lower Cape Library – 2600 Bayshore Rd, Villas

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at the Lower Cape Library! Design whipple-scrumptious new treats, create your own Willy Wonka top hat, and many more activities. This is an all day event, come by the Children’s Area anytime between 9-5 p.m. to join in the fun.

Registration is not required for this event. For additional information please contact the Children’s Room at (609) 463-6354 or visit online at www.cmclibrary.org.

Mutt Strut
Saturday, September 13th from 8 a.m. to noon
Where: On the Cape May Promenade, Convention Hall Area – 714 Beach Avenue

Celebrate the end of the dog days of summer! Dogs and their owners are invited to stroll Cape May’s Beachfront Promenade on Saturday, September 13 for the 8th annual Mutt Strut. Walkers support a worthwhile cause, with half the event’s proceeds to purchase K-9 protective vests for the Cape May

Owners can strut with their dogs anytime between 8 a.m. and noon, for a requested donation of $1 per leg ($2 per person, $4 per dog). Registration is required to allow dogs on the Promenade and is held near Convention Hall on Beach Avenue near Gurney Street. The rain date is Sunday, September 14.

For more information, email cmcdotc@comcast.net or call 609-513-4770. For more information on the Sheriff’s K-9 Unit, visit www.cmcsheriff.net.

18th Annual Cape May Food & Wine Celebration
Saturday-Sunday, September 13th through 21st
Where: Throughout Cape May

Indulge in the “restaurant capital of New Jersey.” Events for those who love good food and wine; events may be attended separately. Enjoy winery tours, tastings, demonstrations, Chefs’ Dine-arounds, dinners and much more! For more information, call 609-884-5404 or 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.

The Wildwoods Hydrofest
Saturday-Sunday, September 13th & 14th
Where: Rambler Rd on New Jersey Ave, Wildwood Crest

The Wildwoods Hydrofest is an exciting international powerboat racing event, coupled with a 6-block festival of craft, merchandise and food vendors, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. daily. Races begin at 10 a.m. daily. Inboard powered hydroplanes and flatbottoms will compete on a one-mile oval course in full view of the spectator area. Race boats range in size from 12 to 23 feet and will reach speeds between 80 and 140 mph! Race teams will compete for American Power Boat Association national points as well as the prestigious NJ Governor’s Cup (an award for outstanding performance by a boat racing team). FREE for spectators! For fans who want to see the race boats up close and talk to the drivers and crews, pit passes can be purchased at the event for $10. For more information call (609) 889-9181, (609) 886-8156 or visit http://www.WildwoodsHydrofest.org.

Fall Family Festival
Saturday, September 13th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: The Promenade – JFK Boulevard, Sea Isle City

Sea Isle City’s Division of Tourism will host the resort’s 25th Annual Fall Family Festival on Sat. and Sun., Sept. 13-14. The popular two-day event will feature a variety of free family activities, a huge vendors market, great food, live music and other entertainment.

On Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the festival’s Seaside Market will take place along the Promenade, where 400 craft and specialty vendors will offer an array of merchandise – ranging from toys, jewelry and fishing gear to home goods, artwork and fashion apparel. There will also be live music and free family activities at nearby Excursion Park, where face-painters, a photo booth, moon bounces, a “Waxy Hands” station and other enjoyment will be offered. When festival-goers get hungry, they can enjoy the festival’s Food Court on JFK Boulevard, which will feature a variety of local delicacies.

For more information about Sea Isle City’s 2014 Fall Family Festival, phone (609) 263-8687 or go to www.VisitSICNJ.com for a complete list of activities.

Civil War Weekend
Saturday-Sunday, September 13th & 14th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Historic Cold Spring Village – 720 Rte 9, Cold Spring

The Civil War comes to life at Historic Cold Spring Village’s annual Civil War Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14, from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitors can tour Union and Confederate camps and meet authentically clad and equipped military and civilian reenactors who will discuss the everyday lives of Civil War soldiers and the roles civilians played in supporting them. Historian Mike Kochan, who played a vital role in the recovery of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley in 2000, will have a display of Civil War-era naval and telegraph technology- what he refers to as “nineteenth century text messaging.” Educator and weapons expert Jack Meyers will be in the Village Welcome Center with a large display of Civil War-era firearms. Stirring battle reenactments will occur both days at 2 pm, and vendors of reproduction period merchandise will be found on “Sutler’s Row.” The Village, which re-creates a rural community in the 1800s, serves as the perfect backdrop in presenting this event to the public, which is generously sponsored by The CapeBank Foundation.

Ocean City Airport Festival
Saturday, September 13th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Municipal Airport – 26th and Bay Ave, Ocean City

The festival’s features include a ground display of unusual airplanes ranging from World War II planes to classics and Warbirds. Meet the performers for the next day’s Aerobatic Air Show. For more information, call (609) 525-9300.

Firemen’s Parade
Saturday, September 13th from 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Along New Jersey Ave, Wildwood

The Annual New Jersey State Firemen’s Convention Parade is run by the local host organization in conjunction with the Firemen’s Convention. The parade will be starting at 1 p.m. sharp. The approximate 2 and 1/2 mile Parade starts at Crocus Road in Wildwood Crest and travels on New Jersey Avenue ending at Eighth Avenue in North Wildwood. The Parade is generally four hours long and features over 300 pieces of apparatus by over 200 individual companies from four states. In addition bands will perform on the Parade route. Viewing stand is at 17th and New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood. After the Parade is over awarding of prizes will take place at the Wildwoods Convention Center at 8 p.m.

Rusty Nail Doggie Pageant
Saturday, September 13th from 2 to 5 p.m.
Where: Rusty Nail – 205 Beach Ave, Cape May

Beach Shack, Cape May’s foremost laid-back beachside hotel, presents the second annual Rusty Nail, with celebrity judges – including Countess LuAnn De Lesseps! After receiving hundreds of entries on The Rusty Nail’s Facebook submission form, the final 10 have been selected through the Rusty Nail’s Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/rustynailnj.

Each of these four-legged finalists will walk the “doggie-pageant runway” for a chance at the title of “The Official Rusty Nail Dog Mascot 2015”. The winning pooch will have their photo on the official Rusty Nail Doggie Ale (beer for dogs), and their owners will take home a $250 Beach Shack/Rusty Nail gift certificate.

Boardwalk Aerobatic Airshow
Sunday, September 14th from 1 to 3 p.m.
Where: The Boardwalk – 6-14th Streets, Ocean City

Thrill to some of the best stunt pilots and aerobatic champions in the world plus military demonstrations. For more information, call (609) 525-9300.

For more information about these, and other community events, see the Herald’s online calendar.

Be sure to visit DoTheShore.com for more information about dining, shopping, activities, entertainment happenings and nightlife.