Events at a Glance
Meet the Artist Reception: David Wight
May 23-24
Meet the Artist Reception
6-9pm, Ocean Galleries, 9618 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, oceangalleries.com
Meet world-renowned glass wave sculptor David Wight at Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor. RSVP is preferred by going online or calling 609-368-7777. Walk-ins welcome. David Wight’s exclusive glass sculpture exhibit will be showcased during gallery hours (10am-9pm) on Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24.
May 24
Beach Opening Ceremony & Color Fun Run
9-11am, 96th Street Beach, stoneharbornj.org
Kick off summer at Stone Harbor’s free Memorial Day Weekend Beach Opening Ceremony and Color Fun Run. Registration starts at 9am, run begins at 10am. Get ready for a colorful, family-friendly beach celebration!
May 25
Turtle Trot 5K/2-Mile Fun Walk
8am, 96th Street & First Avenue, stoneharborchamber.com
Join the fun at the 24th annual Stone Harbor Turtle Trot 5K and 2-Mile Fun Walk, a Memorial Day weekend tradition. Inspired by the town’s nesting diamondback terrapins, the event supports The Wetlands Institute’s Terrapin Program. Hosted by the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce, come out of your shells and lace up your sneakers!
Strawberry Festival
6-8pm, St. Mary’s Parish Hall, 95th Street & Third Avenue, stmarystoneharbor.org
Calling all dessert lovers! St. Mary’s Church is once again holding its annual Strawberry Festival. The tables will be full of sweet strawberry desserts to choose from. If you want to top those desserts off with some ice cream, Springer’s will be there for everyone to enjoy.
May 31
Art & Authors On Dune
9am-3pm, Dune Drive, Avalon, visitavalonnj.com
Attention, art enthusiasts and avid readers: You don’t want to miss Avalon’s Art & Authors on Dune. Stroll Dune Drive to explore fine art in various mediums and meet local authors signing their books. Sponsored by the Avalon Chamber of Commerce and Avalon Free Public Library, this creative event is sure to inspire.
Avalon Historical Society Photography Contest Exhibit
10am-4pm, History Center, 215 39th St., avalonhistorycenter.org
Stop by the History Center starting May 31 to view this year’s Avalon Historical Society Photo Contest entries and winners. Photos will be displayed through June 30.
Diller Vacation Blind Home Community Open House
11am-2pm, 127 26th St., Avalon, dillerblindhome.org
The Helen L. Diller Vacation Home for Blind Children invites you to the annual Community Open House. The event will be a celebration and a thank you to the community for its constant support. Expect a hot dog cookout, tours of the home, and face painting and balloon art for the kids.
Avalon Lions Club Oldies Dance Party
6:30-10:30pm, Avalon Community Hall, avalonlions.com
Kick off the summer season with the Avalon Lions Club Oldies Dance Party. Enjoy an evening of dancing to your favorite oldies with DJ Joe Martino. This fun-filled night is BYO food and drinks, ice will be provided. Admission is $25 and doors open at 6:30pm.
June 7
Green Thumb Project
9am-1pm, Surfside Park, avalonboro.net
Be a part of the Avalon Environmental Commission’s Green Thumb Project. Each child will receive a free native dogwood or beach plum seedling to plant and nurture at their family’s Avalon property. Plant a tree to qualify for prizes for the most growth after 1 year and receive a Green Thumb Project T-shirt. Rain date: Sunday, June 8.
Avalon Garden Club Flower Show
10am-3pm, Avalon Community Hall, avalongardenclub.org
Don’t miss the Avalon Garden Club’s 41st annual flower show, “Designed by Nature!” Free and open to the public, the show runs from 10am-1pm with “people’s choice” voting. Raffle tickets will be sold for the chance to win a beautiful hanging plant or patio pot. Winners will be announced by Mayor John McCorristin at 2pm. Come enjoy the blooms and cast your vote!
Sand Sculpture Demo
10am, 30th Street Beach, visitavalonnj.com
Watch as artist Brendan Schaffer sculpts sand into a beautiful work of art. Sculpting begins at 10am and will continue until the sculpture is completed. Weather permitting.
Avalon Historical Society Historic Marker Dedication: Avalon Pier
Noon, 29th Street and the Boardwalk, visitavalonnj.com
Join the Avalon Historical Society for the unveiling of a historic marker honoring the iconic Avalon Pier. Established in 1929, the Pier once served as Avalon’s social and entertainment hub – featuring a movie theater, retail shops, a fishing pier, and the beloved Marine Ballroom. Celebrate its legacy during this special ceremony.
AHLOA’s June Jam
6:30-9pm, Avalon Community Hall, visitavalonnj.com
AHLOA’s brand-new social gathering! Bring dinner or snacks; beer and wine will be available for sale. Dance to the music of South Jersey band Loose Ends from 7 to 9pm. Entrance tickets are free, however advance registration or ticket pick-up is required.
June 8-15
Stone Harbor Restaurant Week
During Normal Business Hours, Participating Restaurants, stoneharborchamber.com
Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s first sponsored Stone Harbor Restaurant Week will run Sunday, June 8 to Sunday, June 15. Visit the Stone Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s website for participating restaurants and more information.
June 14
American Legion Post 331 Flag Day Ceremony
10am, 117th Street and Second Avenue, Stone Harbor, stephencludlampost331.org
All are invited to join the members of American Legion Post 331 to celebrate Flag Day. There will be the Installation of New Officers ceremony and an open house. You won’t want to miss this patriotic family-friendly event.
Avalon Lions Pancake Breakfast & AHLOA Community Connections
8-11am, Avalon Community Hall, visitavalonnj.com
Start your Father’s Day weekend in Avalon with a morning of good food available from 8-11am at the Avalon Lions Club Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser in the front half of Community Hall. In the back half of the hall, the Avalon Home and Land Owners Community Connections event is being held from 9-10:30am. Meet representatives from Borough departments and local organizations, pick up useful information and giveaways, and chat with AHLOA board members. Bring the whole family—and treat dad to breakfast!
Avalon Historical Society Historic Marker Dedication: Avalon Swing Bridge
Noon, Foot of the 800 Block of 21st Street, Avalon, visitavalonnj.com
Celebrate Avalon’s transportation history with the unveiling of a historic marker at the site of the Avalon Swing Bridge. Completed in 1929, the bridge was the first structure to carry vehicles into town and played a key role in Avalon’s growth. Featuring a hand-cranked swing mechanism for boat passage, it served the community for more than 50 years and is a symbol of Avalon’s early development.
‘Salt Marsh Stories’ Documentary Film
6pm, Avalon Free Public Library, avalonfreelibrary.org
“Salt Marsh Stories” was the brainchild of longtime Stone Harbor resident Bill Dougherty, who grew up playing on the back bay in the 1930s, and put together by local historians Jim Talone and JP Hand. The film shares a brief history of Cape May County’s marshlands, Dougherty’s memories of growing up on the back bay, and insights from The Wetlands Institute on marsh ecology. A discussion and Q&A will follow the screening.
June 20
Avalon Historical Society Olde House Tour
1-4pm, Participating homes throughout Avalon, avalonhistorycenter.org
Step back in time on the Avalon Historical Society’s Olde House Tour – a self-guided, ticketed event showcasing Avalon’s historic homes. Tickets go on sale June 7 at avalonfreelibrary.org and in person at the History Center on June 20 at 10am. For details, call 609-967-0090.
June 21
Avalon Historical Society Historic Marker Dedication: William Tozour Jr.
Noon, 21st & Dune Drive, visitavalonnj.com
Honor the life and legacy of William Tozour Jr., a pioneering builder, developer, and civic leader in Avalon. As the first individual recognized with a marker in his memory, Tozour’s impact includes the development of Avalon Lagoons, the Avalon Elementary School, and more than structures on the island.
Summer Solstice Festival
5-9pm, Surfside Park, visitavalonnj.com
Celebrate the start of summer at Avalon’s Summer Solstice Festival! There will be food vendors, beer and wine, balloon artists, face painting, fairy tinsel hair for people and puppies, and live music by Jimmy and the Parrots at 6pm. Don’t miss this fun-filled celebration of the longest day of the year with family and friends.
June 25
Comeback Story for the Ages: The Osprey in New Jersey
6pm, Surfside Park, visitavalonnj.com
Once endangered, ospreys are now a conservation success story, nesting across New Jersey each spring and summer. This presentation explores their decline, remarkable comeback, and ongoing challenges.
June 28
Islandman Triathlon
7:20am, Avalon Community Hall, timkerrcharities.org
The Islandman Triathlon consists of a quarter-mile ocean swim, a 12-mile bike ride, and a 5K beach run. It is a fun, quality experience that will become a “must do” event on all your summer schedules. Proceeds will benefit the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
SHFD Hoagie Sale
8-10am (or sold out!), Stone Harbor Firehouse, stoneharbornj.org
Don’t miss the Stone Harbor Volunteer Fire Company’s annual Hoagie Sale at the firehouse – come early, because they go fast! The sale starts at 8am and it’s first come, first served until every delicious hoagie is gone.
Islandkids Triathlon
9am, Avalon Community Hall, timkerrcharities.org
Celebrating 19 years of being the largest youth triathlon in the Mid-Atlantic Region, it’s time for the kids to compete at 9am. The race involves a 100-meter ocean swim parallel to the beach, a 5K bike ride, and a 1K beach run. With a focus on safety, fun, and racing for charities, proceeds will benefit the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.