Small town fun at Eastham Windmill Weekend

Eastham’s annual Windmill Weekend was this weekend–September 9 through the 11th.  This annual weekend is a real hometown event–a celebration of community, a goodbye to summer and a hello to fall.

All weekend, the town’s historic windmill was surrounded by residents and visitors enjoying fiddling, raffles, hot dogs, kids’ games and fried dough.  The highlight of the weekend is the annual parade, which stepped off a 1 p.m. on Sunday.  Folks of all ages and lots of families with kids gathered to cheer on the parade participants including students from the elementary, middle and high school, local organizations and clubs, police and firefighters, park rangers and Coast Guard Auxiliary.

There were flutists on unicycles, boy scouts in full dress, a man in a JFK mask, Smokey the Bear and an overly enthusiastic Zumba instructor.  And what parade is complete without fire trucks, flashing lights, musket firing militia men, bagpipes and the Good Time Guys.

Click here to see my photo gallery of the parade here.

Check out “Bakersfield Mist” at WHAT in Wellfleet

WHAT's Julie Harris Stage on Route 6 in Wellfleet.

If you are looking for something fun to do on the Outer Cape–check out WHAT in Wellfleet. WHAT, the Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater produces wonderful show throughout the year. During the summer, they feature live plays on two stages–the older Harbor Stage on Kendrick by the Bookstore and the newer Julie Harris Stage on Route 6 next to the post office. In July and August, they also produce a popular kids show under the tent on Route 6 most evenings.

Last weekend, we saw “Bakersfield Mist” on the Julie Harris Stage. It was a wonderful show–one act, two characters–very thought-provoking.  The play is based on the true story of Teri Horton, a retired trucker who buys what could be an authentic Jackson Pollock at a thrift shop in California. the characters are a bit different–but the story is basically the same. On a side note, if you haven’t heard about Teri Horton’s story, check out the documentary, “Who the #$&% is Jackson Pollock“.

If you are an art lover–you’ll love the show–you’ll like it even if you aren’t. It runs now through Labor Day Weekend.

Check out a review here.

Head to Brewster for the herring run!

It’s a good time to be a gull

It’s been said that it’s a dog eat dog world. When it comes to the Stony Brook Herring Run in Brewster, gull eat fish is much more appropriate.

Once again, the herring are running. It’s the annual sprint to spawn, up stream, over the ladders to placid Mill Pond. The current rushes, the gulls attack and the herring push on.

The herring stock remains low and the Commonwealth has prohibited the taking of herring until further notice. Unfortunately, the gulls did not get that memo.

As you approach the herring run, driving down Satucket Road to Stony Hill you can see the gulls flying around–that is always a good indication that the herring are on their annual watery trek.

The run is a beautiful spot. Green and lush and this time of year, filled with curious folks of all ages who come to cheer on the herring as they  make their way up the ladders in a silvery flash.

But there is an unsettling element to this idyllic scene–the jarring, constant squawk of the gulls as they dive into the water and scoop out herring. Battling one another for position and catch.  It’s fascinating, it’s nature and it’s not for the faint of heart.

The herring will continue to run now through mid-May or so.  Stony Brook is a popular site and there are herring runs in Mashpee, Harwich and Bourndale too.

Click here for a gallery of photos and here for some more video of the run and accompanying feast. Click here for a map and directions to the herring run.

Hurricane Earl heads our way

Hurricane Earl is headed our way and the folks at the National Weather Service made it official at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday afternoon with a hurricane watch for the Cape and Islands.

This should make for an interesting Labor Day Weekend for Cape Codders and visitors as Earl is expected to make his presence (well) known on Friday.

Some Cape towns and police departments have already issued hurricane preparedness information for homeowners and mariners.

It’s always better to be safe then sorry.

Just remember the basics, that everybody is safe indoors (including pets) and that you have flashlights, batteries, candles and matches and plenty of non-perishable food and water.

Stay safe!

Pan Mass Challenge makes its way up Cape today

Driving might be a bit tricky in some parts today as cyclists with the Pan Mass Challenge make there way from the bridge to Ptown. 5,200 riders are taking part in this 190-mile bicycle ride that raises funds for cancer research. Riders were to have been at the bridge around 8am today and should be up in Ptown around 1:30pm. Route 6a will be tight as well as parts of Route 6 in Eastham through Provincetown (with rider detours along the way). Good luck and congratulations to all involved!

Hairspray: Don’t miss the best show you’ll see on Cape this summer!

I saw Hairspray on opening night Monday and it was incredible! The set, costumes, singing, dancing and of course, the wigs were amazing.  The cast really lit up the stage at the Cape Playhouse.

Most shows at the playhouse run 2 weeks, but Hairspray has been extended to 3–so don’t miss it.

Read a review here.

Some much to do this 4th of July weekend on Cape Cod

The 4th falling on a Sunday this year made everything a bit tricky. But all of the Cape’s favorite parades, concerts and of course, fireworks have been planned.

Fingers crossed that the skies will stay clear!

Click here for a rundown of Cape Cod events. Of more interest on the Lower Cape, the following are planned:

• Orleans fireworks, dusk, Friday
• Orleans parade, 1oam, Saturday
• Provincetown parade, 11am, Sunday
• Provincetown fireworks, dusk, Sunday
• Wellfleet parade, 10am, Monday

Happy 4th everybody!!

Daytripping to Truro with Elizabeth

Daytripping to the Cape is a favorite weekend activity for a lot of folks who live an hour or two from the bridge. Most bring their kids; many bring their dogs.

Eight-year-old Elizabeth, a Dachshund from Boston, truly knows how to travel in style. Sporting a fierce pair of Doggles, the wind in her fur, she hitch’s a ride on her dad’s back…and bike!

Elizabeth loves the trip, one she has made several times, down to the tip of the Cape, firmly ensconced between her parents. The trio stopped by Truro Central Village on Route 6 to stretch their legs–all eight of them.

An evening at the Cape Playhouse

When most people think of Cape Cod, the first thing that springs to mind is quite often seafood. Or perhaps the beach. Why not add theater to that list?

Last night was the opening of the 84th season of the historic Cape Playhouse in Dennis.  The venerable old stage has hosted the likes of Basil Rathbone, Bette Davis and Julie Harris.

The first time I attended a show at the theater, it was July of 2002. We saw Kathy Lee Gifford and Diana Canova in “Thumbs”. Frank and Cody were in the audience just a few rows down.

The Playhouse draws pretty big names and puts on equally impressive productions. Last night it was Stephanie Zimbalist in “Tea at Five”, a one-woman show about Katharine Hepburn based on her memoirs.  It was quite good.  I look forward to the rest of the season which includes “The 39 Steps”, “Hairspray” and “Grey Gardens”.  Our own little sandy slice of the Great White Way.

Read a review of last night’s performance here.

A rodeo in Truro?

The Truro Bike & Walkways Committee is hosting a Bike Rodeo on Sunday, June 6, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Head of the Meadow Beach parking lot.

The event is jointly sponsored by the committee, the Truro Recreation Department and the Truro Police Department.

Learn about bike safety and biking laws in Massachusetts.

Following a ride on the Head of the Meadow Trail, there will be free helmets (while supplies last) and a free cookout.  Idle Times Bike Shop will also be on hand to make small bicycle repairs.

RSVP to the Truro Police Department at 508-487-8730.