Ah, August: can you believe it? The summer feels like it barely started, and now school and work, falling leaves and chilly nights hang on the horizon. Now is the time to take advantage of your vacation and really spend time enjoying the beach and all it has to offer: Cape May has enough of a variety of events, from world-famous fishing tournaments to antique car shows, tall ship tours to baby parades, to remind any vacationer that before we reach that September horizon, there are lots of adventures in store along the voyage.
   The 16^th Annual Mid-Atlantic $500,000 will take place at South Jersey Marina from August 19-24. The tournament hosts fisherman from around the world with over 100 boats every year flooding the Cape May harbor. The playing field is anything with in 125 nautical miles of Cape May, with home bases situated in Cape May and Ocean City, Maryland. Anglers will be competing to catch the largest white or blue marlin, tuna, dolphin, or wahoo during the 5 day event, with dinners and events planned by the Canyon Club of Cape May and Sunset Marina of Ocean City, Maryland during the tournament.
   If competitive fishing is not your style, there are still many opportunities this August to enjoy a water voyage. The Cape May-Lewes Ferry will be hosting plenty of family –friendly events, such as Lighthouse Pete’s Family Fun Cruises, departing the Cape May terminal at 6:00 pm every Wednesday and Lewes every Thursday at 6:15 p.m. The cruise, including a tour given by the boat’s mascot Lighthouse Pete the Pirate, provides a unique opportunity for children—but if you are interested in an older crowd, the Ferry also hosts Rock the Boat nights every Friday night, departing Cape May at 6:00 p.m. Free music entertainment (usually reggae) sets the mood perfectly as the sun sets across the horizon. Both events are $17 per adult, $8.50 for children 6-13, and free for children under 6. Reservations are suggested for the Lighthouse Pete’s cruise, but not for Rock the Boat.
   If it’s something a wee bit more cerebral you’re looking for, don’t forget our wonderful equity theater companies. East Lynne Theater Company premieres Lizzie Borden, August 1 at  it’s Cape May performance venue The First Presbyterian Church, 500 Hughes St. Written and performed by award-winning NYC actor Jill Dalton, directed by Jack McCullough, with original music by three time Tony nominated Larry Hochman. Once and for all did he do it or not? Lizzie is alone in her home with only her memories and the birds and squirrels in her backyard to keep her company. The theater is open (except where noted): Wed., Thurs., Fri., Sat, ending September 1.American Sign Language interpretation on Aug. 24. For more information please call 609-884-5898 or visit www.eastlynnetheater.org.
   The Robert Shackelton Playhouse of Cape May Stage continues its production of Moonlight & Magnolias through August 18^th at its Bank and Lafayette streets theater. Going to St. Ives by Lee Blessing opens August 22 and runs through September 22. It’s the story of two women from different cultures brought together by the question of how to deal with a brutal dictator. But what to do when the dictator happens to be your son? Performances run Wednesday through Sundays at 8 p.m. For more information call 609-884-1341.
   An Evening With Mark Twain returns to the Chalfonte Hotel, August 4 - September 2. Philadelphia actor Robert Billbrough recreates his portrayal of “the most conspicuous person on the planet." Twain was legendary; a master at commenting on the world and human nature – and on every topic imaginable. Performances are Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:30 p.m. in the Chalfonte’s Henry Sawyer Room. Tickets can be reserved at www.chalfonte.com or by calling the hotel. The Chalfonte is located at 301 Howard Street, Cape May, NJ. More info, 609-884-8409.
   Take a trip back to 1897 when the Temperance rallies were in full swing. Temperance Tantrums, is playing at Aleathea's Restaurant at the Inn of Cape May August 3 –August 10. An original theatrical production designed to be a whimsical look back to when the Temperance rallies of the past, where the object was to persuade individuals to forswear alcohol and vote for the Temperance Cause. With authentic music and boisterous bar room comedy, Temperance Tantrums combines elements of musical theatre, melodrama, comedy improvisation, and audience involvement into a humorous and unique entertainment experience. For ticket information and reservations, guests should telephone 800-582-5933.
   If you’re feeling classical, go back to the Chalfonte Hotel and have dinner in the Magnolia Room Tuesday evenings in August. Afterwards enjoy Concerts By Candlelight in the Henry Sawyer Room. The talent varies from soprano Carmen Artis and tenor John Hammel with pianist Nancy DeRitter, (August 14) to the Festive Brass, (August 21) to soprano Bonnie Hoke with Michael Scheadel on piano (August 21). Showtime is 8:30 p.m. at The Chalfonte Hotel, 301 Howard Street, Cape May, NJ. Tickets $10 per adult/$7per child, or free with dinner in The Chalfonte’s Magnolia Room. For reservations, call 609-884-8409.
   Don’t forget to tour the 2007 Designer Show House, hosted by the Mid-Atlantic Center for the Arts. Open daily 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday through Friday 7 to 9 p.m., the Memucan Hughes House at 608 Hughes Street. has been beautifully restored by local and regional designers and will be open through October 14. The original structure now includes 11 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, a dining room and parlor, as well as such modern amenities as a gym, spa, and wine cellar, but has not lost its grand Victorian beach allure. This must-see experience is only $20 and needs no reservation. Don’t forget to look at the restored carriage house and gardens as well!
   Have you ever wanted to learn how to sail a 115 foot schooner, but thought the experience would never present itself in Cape May? Well on July 27^th the AJ Meerwald, a Delaware Bay oyster schooner, will dock in Cape May and be available for Public Sailing trips, Sailor for a Day camps for children ages 10-16, and transit trips to Lewes, Delaware. In Cape May until August 30^th, AJ Meerwald will be docked at Utsch’s Marina; more specific information about each individual camp can be found at www.bayshorediscovery.org.
   Cape May may not have a boardwalk, but the beach promenade will be well-trafficked by arts, crafts, and babies this upcoming month. Starting with the 75^th annual Cape May Baby Parade on August 3^rd, you don’t have to be an early riser to see this adorable event. If you do not want your baby to just be a spectator, get to convention hall before 11:00 a.m. for registration. If you are up and ready for some adventure earlier than the babies are, check out the Amateur Sand Sculpting Contest at 2^nd and Beach Avenue at 9 a.m., or join in yourself. The weekend of August 11-12 hosts the 30^th Annual Promenade Arts and Crafts Show, a chance to stroll with the beach at one side and white tents filled with beautiful handmade art on the other, with food and arcade games close by for any uninterested children.
   The Cape May Women's Club Peach Festival will be Star of the Sea meeting hall August 7th, 10-5 p.m. Peaches! Hmmmmm. Peach pie, peach cobbler, peach muffins, peachade. Just think of the possibilities.
   August 8 is Kids Day at the Emlen Physick Estate: The Emlen Physick Estate, Cape May’s only Victorian house museum, hosts a day of discovery for kids of all ages. Learn what life was like more than 100 years ago from the parlor to the playroom on a tour of the Estate. Tromp around the grounds of the Estate, covered in tents filled with fun activities like dress-up, hat-making, singing, storytelling, face painting, Victorian games and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Wednesday, July 11. For more information, call 800-275-4278 or visit www.capemaymac.org.
   Historic Cold Spring Village (HCSV) is a hard sell when the beach is so close and the sun beating you down in the last summer month, but the event planners do a great job of making their education-driven occasions fun and relaxing. Located on Route 9 about 3 miles north of Cape May City, the Village kicks off the month with a weekend event starting August 3^rd and continuing through August 4^th entitled Railroad Days, with demonstrations, models, and train memorabilia. The ambitious HCSV will be hosting a different event every weekend beginning August 11-12 when the Antiques Show and Sale will be on hand, followed by the Classic Antique Car Show August 18-19. Besides these special events, the Village will be open every day from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is $8 per adult and $5 for children 3-12. More information about the possibility of combined admission to the Village and other area attractions, such as the Cape May Lighthouse, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry or the Naval Air Station Wildwood Museum can be found on the Village’s website, www.hcsv.org.
   Enjoy your last summer month, but don’t be lazy: there are too many great events in Cape May to spend your last vacation just sitting on the beach. Of course, enjoy the beach, the weather, the sun, the sand, the water—but enjoy Cape May as well.