Be sure to mark your calendar for the 24th Annual Cape May Music Festival taking place from May 26 to June 13, 2013. There will be 12 great events in three weeks. From the classical to the classic, the festival will offer a feast for every musical taste orchestra, chamber, world traditions, beloved classics and even a few intriguing new sounds. Alan R. Kay and the New York Chamber Ensemble and the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players are returning for their annual chamber concerts and the Bay-Atlantic Symphony, under the baton of principal conductor Jed Gaylin, returns as the orchestra-in-residence. For Information or tickets, call 609-884-5404.

Here’s the run down of performances during the festival:

Sunday, May 26: 8pm
Rotary Bandstand, Lyle Lane
ATLANTIC BRASS BAND

Tuesday, May 28: 8pm
Episcopal Church of the Advent
NEW YORK CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
“The Heart of the Matter: beautiful French and American music for instruments and voice”

Thursday, May 30: 8pm
Cape May Convention Hall
ZOE MUTH & THE LOST HIGH ROLLERS

Sunday, June 2: 8pm
Cape May Convention Hall
GIRSA with McDERMOTT’S HANDY

Tuesday, June 4: 8pm
Epsicopal Church of the Advent
NEW YORK CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
“A Musical Offering for BACHcombers”

Thursday, June 6: 8pm
First Presbyterian Church of Cape May
BAY-ATLANTIC SYMPHONY
Folk and Fashion

Sunday, June 9: 8pm
Cape May Convention Hall
GEORGE MESTERHAZY TRIBUTE CONCERT

Tuesday, June 11: 8pm
Episcopal Church of the Advent
NEW JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CHAMBER PLAYERS

Thursday, June 13: 8pm
Episcopal Church of the Advent
NEW YORK CHAMBER ENSEMBLE
“The Gypsy in Us”

If you’re planning a visit to our area during any of these events and are looking for a place to stay, be sure to check out our Cape May NJ beach house rentals. Right here on our website you’ll be able to peruse the full assortment of Cape May NJ beach house rentals that meet whatever search criteria you may have. If we can assist you in any way, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The 2013 Spring Flower Festival takes place this Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Rotary Park at Lafayette Street & Lyle Lane in Cape May. The festival will feature artisans and crafters displaying and selling accents and accessories for you, your home and your gardens as well as eco-friendly resources to help promote a Green Cape May.

 Explore Cape May’s seaside gardens during Cape May Garden Tours. Enjoy the sights and smells of a variety of Cape May gardens as your guide leads you on a scenic hour-long stroll. Allow your senses to carry you back into times gone by as you tour Cape May’s hidden treasures. Tours cost $10 per person. Rain date is Sunday, April 28th 2013.

The Garden Club of Cape May is presenting a flower show entitled “Victorian Pastimes: The Way It Was” at the Cape May Convention Hall on the Promenade Tuesday, April 30, 2013 from 12 noon – 5 p.m.

Restricted by social rules and traditions, the Victorians successfully communicated through the language of flowers. The show features floral design entries in eight artistic classes from tussie-mussies to window box gardens and horticulture exhibits in multiple categories. You will be delighted with the original pressed flower pictures made by the Cape May City Elementary School first grade and the “Pockets Filled with Posies” designs created by the Cape May County Technical High School students. Come enjoy the lively marketplace full of select vendors and garden products. Free admission, refreshments, and parking.

If you’re planning a visit to Cape May but haven’t made your accommodations yet, gives Homestead Cape May Rentals a call toll free at 1-888-309-7454 and we’ll set you up in any of our fine Cape May beach rentals.

Springtime is a beautiful time of the year to visit here and these Cape May NJ vacation homes will have you close to plenty of Easter activities going on in the area.

If you’re visiting with children in tow, you should know that the word on the street is that you can Visit with the Easter Bunny at the Washington Street Mall and the Promenade anytime on Saturday, March 30. The mall is located at 300-500 Washington Street, Cape May.

A big event for Easter is the Easter Fashion Stroll. Shrug off that winter coat and let your spring style shine at Cape May’s annual Easter Fashion Stroll on Sunday, March 31. The Washington Street Mall serves as the runway where contestants of all ages can model their Easter finery. Mall merchants will celebrate the event with ribbons, prizes, treats and gift certificates. And of course, the Easter Bunny will be on hand for pictures and hugs, and will be giving out free Jelly Beans courtesy of The Original Fudge Kitchen.  The Cape May Dairy Queen and The Original Fudge Kitchen will provide free ice cream for all children who are contestants. Registration begins at noon near the Rotary Clock at the 300 block of the Washington Street Mall. Contestants start strolling at 1 p.m. Children’s categories include: Ages 3 and under; 4-6; 7-9; 10-12; 13 and up; and best children’s Easter bonnet. Adult and family categories include Best Dressed Lady; Best Dressed Man; Best Dressed Couple; Best Dressed Family and best adult Easter bonnet. Awards will be given to the first, second and third place contestants in all categories.

Wishing you and your family a very happy and delightful Easter holiday from all of us at HomeStead Cape May Rentals.

It’s common for families to book the same home every time they come here, year after year, once they find one they’re particularly fond of. We’ve watched the children of many families grow up and begin families of their own, and then to continue the tradition of visiting Cape May every summer with their family, too!

Families with many children who originally reserved the larger homes will eventually downsize to one of our smaller, cozier homes after their children have grown and moved out. The parents continue to return to Cape May and often reminisce about the many special memories they made here over the years as they continue making new ones.

If you’ll be here over the Easter weekend there are a few special events taking place that you may be interested in knowing about. On Saturday, March 30, 2013 the Cape May County Museum is holding an Easter Egg Hunt set up by age, beginning at 11 a.m. There will be prizes and a Best Dressed Baby contest for boys and girls age 2 and under. This event will be held rain or shine at 504 Rt. 9 North, Cape May.

A Garden “Paw” Tea fundraiser for Animal Outreach will be held at The Highland House, 131 Broadway, West Cape May, also on Saturday, March 30 from 1 to 3 p.m. Warm beverages and cookies/cakes will be served. Folks can bring their pets with them.

We look forward to seeing you soon as you begin the tradition of making memories at Cape May with your own family!

Many visitors this time of year appreciate the lack of crowds and traffic. Shopping and dining establishments may have limited schedules but you’re also more likely to experience old fashioned personalized service. We’ll do all that we can to match you with the perfect rental home from our Cape May or West Cape May vacation rentals. We’ll make every effort to put together a memorable weekend or mid-week escape just for you no matter what time of you year you’re planning on arriving.

The Cape May Traditional Jazz Society will present Traditional Dixieland Jazz from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 10. The Atlantic City Jazz Band consisting of Paul Midiri, trombone; Franny Smith, banjo; Bob Rawlins, clarinet; Bob Ferguson, trumpet; John McClernan, tuba; Chuck Harms, drums; and Nancy Rawlins, keyboard, will be playing great Traditional Dixieland Jazz and a fun time. Join us at the VFW Post 386, 419 Congress Street, Cape May.

The Cape May Roadshow featuring Antiques & Collectibles will be held on March 16 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Convention Hall on Beach Ave., Cape May. Antique & Collectible dealers and artisans offering hand crafted items will be present. Appraisers will be on-site for you to have an item valued for a $5 donation.

With a young child, you’ll be playing in the sand rather than lying on it and feeding the seagulls rather than listening to your headphones. You’ll be kneeling and squatting often so you should learn to consider it exercise. But you’ll have the wonderful opportunity to discover the small wonders of the world as seen through a child’s eyes – bubbles in the water, tiny seashells, shiny rocks, baby crabs, crunchy dried seaweed and plenty of other things. These are the gifts and the delights that come with sharing time with a small child.

When you have children every trip turns into an adventure. Things go smoother when you approach it that way. From the moment you set foot into whichever of our Cape May NJ rentals you’ve chosen to stay in until the moment you hop in the car to head home, anything can happen in a child’s mind. Remember that adventure is not so much a destination as it is an attitude so have fun along the way with it.

Always make your reservations for any Cape May NJ rentals well in advance of leaving home. This is especially important when traveling with children. Keep an open mind as you set out on your journey and keep the expectation of fun in your heart. You surely won’t be disappointed.

This home is ideal as a quiet escape for you and your family any time of the year. It is located just one and a half blocks from the beaches of the Point, with Lily Lake just a short walk away in the other direction. If your pet is a water dog, they are going to just love it here!

This cozy home offers rich Craftsman style woodwork and tall old style windows. Although you might feel as if you just stepped back in time when you step inside, you will be happy with the modern amenities. The living area in this home consists of two open front rooms and third room with entertainment center and couches. An adjoining dining room provides plenty of space around the large round oak table for family gatherings. The modern kitchen is well-equipped and offers additional counter seating.

You can enjoy back yard barbeques on the garden patio while you’re here. Plus, it’s the perfect area for birders to enjoy local and migratory sightings, so bring your binoculars! You’ll enjoy the beaches complete with life guards just a short walk down the street.

While Anniversary Cottage has restrictions on the size dog you bring along, many of our Cape May pet friendly vacation homes do not so we encourage you to look at others on our site if you have a larger dog that is also a beach lover.

Take a few moments out of your busy day and treat yourself to browsing our website. It’s here that you’ll find a varied group of Cape May New Jersey house rentals, one of which is the ideal rental for you and your family.

From small cottages to large Victorian homes, all of our rentals come fully furnished and decorated. Comforts of home include a well-equipped kitchen where you can make your meals if you so choose. If  you’d rather dine in one of the area restaurants, there are many to choose from.

If you’re considering bringing your pet along on vacation we have many house rentals that are pet friendly. Be sure to confirm before making your reservations.

If you’ll be in the area later this month and you enjoy jazz, here’s an event you won’t want to miss. On Sunday, January 27 from 2-4 p.m. the Cape May Traditional Jazz Society is presenting Midiri Brothers Traditional Jazz. The event features Joe Midiri on clarinet, Paul Midiri on vibes & trombone, Jim Lawlor, Ed Wise, and Pat Mercuri. One of the top traditional jazz bands in America will perform at the VFW Post 386, 419 Congress St., Cape May. Admission is $20.

We appreciate your thoughtfulness and have thoroughly enjoyed the holiday treats. Here’s to a great rental season this year!

It’s difficult for everyone when the family pet has be dropped off at a boarding facility before the family leaves for some R&R. It’s especially difficult for children to understand why the furry, four-legged member of their family cannot accompany them. We get that. That’s why we provide a large assortment of Cape May pet friendly vacation rentals where you and your family can all stay together, including those members with four legs and a tail. Pet friendly homes usually require an extra security deposit to cover the additional cleanup that would be required after a pet has been there.

Our Cape May pet friendly vacation rentals come with 3-5+ bedrooms, are fully furnished and nicely decorated. You’ll find kitchens equipped with all the necessary appliances to make whatever type of dinner you want to prepare. If you’re going to tackle that big holiday meal, we know you’ll be comfortable doing it in these kitchens. Many of these vacation rentals come with fenced in yards as well.

All of us at Homestead Cape May Rentals would like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!