By the Sea
By Brianne Harrison
Summer is fast drawing to a close, so if you still want to hit the beach, you’d better do it soon. Those looking for a bit more activity than just lounging in the sand might want to check out this Saturday’s Ruth Newman Shapiro Cancer and Heart Fund’s 5K Run/Walk in Ocean City. The event, which promises a day of fun and prizes for the top finishers, will raise money to help provide facilities and equipment for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and heart disease.
The 5K run will start at 8 a.m. and takes racers through the Ocean City Gardens along the Atlantic. An accompanying 5K walk will begin immediately after, and a kids’ one-mile fun run will begin at 9 a.m. Top three male and female finishers in categories including Cancer Survivors, Masters, Juniors (under age 14), and all age ranges will receive prizes after the run, along with the top three finishers in the kids’ fun run and the top fundraisers. Registration will begin at 6:30 a.m. at the Sports & Civic Center Building at 5th Street and the Boardwalk in Ocean City. Registration is $25 per runner and can be done online at rnscancernandheartfund.org.
After the race, hit the beach and catch the Eastern Surfing Association’s Surf Contest, or take in a showing of The Magic of Broadway at the Music Pier. You can also head to nearby Atlantic City for some beach time (the beaches are free!), concerts, shopping, fine dining, and, of course, gaming. Down in Cape May, Historic Cold Spring Village is hosting a Seafarer’s Weekend, with pirate fights and performances, living history encampments, sea chanties, antique boats, and more. Visitors are encouraged to come in costume, and a kids’ pirate costume contest will be held at 2 p.m. but Saturday and Sunday.
If you want to put your feet to more good use, Sunday is the Grape Stomping Festival and Craft Show at Renault Winery in Egg Harbor City. Enjoy barbeque food, browse crafters’ creations, stomp some grapes, and take home the fruits of your labor!