Next Exit Shore Guide (week of June 26 – July 2)

As New Jersey looks back on 350 years of history this year, a Jersey shore institution marks its place in the state’s chronicle.

The Cape May-Lewes Ferry is observing its 50th anniversary this weekend.

It was July 1, 1964 when the first ferry vessel departed Lewes, Delaware for Cape May, carrying 15 passengers in eight vehicles. Last year, the ferry service transported a million passengers in approximately 275,000 vehicles across the 17 mile distance, and is estimated to have carried over 43 million people in 14 million vehicles since it began operations half century ago.

To celebrate the ferry’s golden anniversary both terminals will host a 1960s classic car show and festival. Cape May’s takes place on Saturday and Lewes’ on Sunday.

Highlights of the festival include an outdoor screening of WHYY’s documentary about the ferry, “A Billion Mile Journey“. A dedication ceremony will reveal the terminal’s commemorative brick patio and the burial of a time capsule.

The birthday bash will feature food tents, family-friendly activities and performances, carnival games and live entertainment from Philadelphia cover band, Lima Bean Riot. Free ferry passage will be available to classic car show participants on the day of the festival. Ferry customers can take advantage of special anniversary fares from June 27 through June 30 (vehicles $50 per round trip, foot passengers 50 percent discount). Saturday, June 28, 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. – 1200 Lincoln Blvd., Cape May, N.J. (Event schedule)

Cape May

Those in Cape May this weekend may also want to check out a new annual affair which focuses the town’s fishing industry. On Saturday, the inaugural Cape May Seafood Festival takes place along two tented blocks in front of the convention hall. Admission will be free for educational exhibits, cooking and fishing demonstrations plus live music. Those wishing to chow down will need to purchase special Cape May Seafood Dollars in order to buy food and drink. There will be several seafood stations, such as seafood salads, fried shellfish, raw bar, underutilized species and kids menu. The festival caps off with a free beach concert by Beach Bumz. Saturday, June 28, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (rain date June 29) – Beach Ave. between Howard and Gurney Sts., Cape May, N.J.

Barnegat Light

Barnegat Light’s Viking Village will fete its fishing industry on Saturday by hosting the 6th annual Jazzy Scallop and Seafood Festival. The commercial fishing dock has been around since the 1920s and ships five million pounds of fresh seafood each year to major east coast cities, California and the midwest. Attendees can enjoy live jazz while sampling some catches of the day, as prepared by local restaurants. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door with proceeds helping to fund college scholarships for local high school students. Saturday, June 28, 2:30-5 p.m. – Viking Village, 1801 Bayview Ave., Barnegat Light, N.J.

North Wildwood

For two decades, North Wildwood has celebrated New Jersey’s Italian-Americans with a three-day shindig. The “Original” Italian-American Festival returns for its 20th year this weekend with Italian eats, craft vendors and live music from Philly Cuzz, Just In Time, Angelo Venuto and the Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons tribute, Lights Outs, and others. Things kick off on Friday with a grand procession in honor of St. Anthony, followed by opening ceremonies with Grand Marshall, Angelo Cataldi of the WIP (94.1) morning show. Saturday’s highlights include the annual meatball relay races. On Sunday, girls of Italian descent, ages eight to 12, can vie for the pageant title of Little Miss Italy. Friday, June 27, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday, June 28,10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, June 29, noon to 6 p.m. – Olde New Jersey Ave., North Wildwood, N.J.

Atlantic City

Whether you were a fan of their music or subjected to their radio hits while strapped in the backseat of your mom’s Pinto station wagon, time was there was no escaping Air Supply. Their pervasive sound defined soft rock in the early 1980s. Though their last studio album was released in 2010, the Australian duo is currently on tour and will be playing Resort’s Superstar Theater on Saturday.

Now in their 39th year together, Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell’s music is being introduced to a younger audience through a dance remix of their song, Desert Sea Sky, and references in a host of movies, television shows and even a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. And old heads, on occasion, still find themselves belting out “The One That You Love” in the shower (c’mon, admit it… you do). Tickets start at $45. Saturday, June 28, 8 p.m. – Resorts Casino, 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.

There’s no doubt that Lady Gaga’s music is among the chart toppers of today. Her ubiquitous hit, “Applause”, is part of the soundtrack of the past year. Mother Monster will be performing that song and plenty of others from her ArtPOP album as part of her artRave: the ARTPOP Ball tour on Saturday. Fans can expect over-the-top costumes as well as an elaborate catwalk inspired stage design. Tickets range from $49.50 to $251.25. Saturday, June 28, 8 p.m. – Atlantic City Boardwalk Hall, 2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, N.J.

Margate

The 13-hour party known as Beachstock is on again in Margate this Saturday. The event packs in all kinds of beach fun in a single day – from paddle board races and volleyball tournaments in the early morning to an evening bonfire on the beach in front of Lucy the Elephant, plus an outdoor movie (Mr. Peabody and Sherman) at Margate Library Park. Visitors can also enjoy surf clinics, shuffleboard, bocce ball, sand sculpting and much more. Music is a key component with a Battle of the Bands taking place all afternoon and additional live music from Senni Bloom, Mia Bergmann, Steve Moore and M.I.A, The Fool Injectors and Beatles tribute band, British Invasion. Children will appreciate live entertainment on the kids stage, plus limbo and hula hoop contests. A free jitney shuttle service will be available between Tighe School and the festivities. No beach tags required! Saturday, June 28, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (rain date June 29) – Margate City, N.J.