As we proceed into the final month of autumn here in Cape May, the weather has taken a brisk turn, and the fall foliage is peaking beautifully. There are few things quite so beautiful as a golden autumn sunset, or the seasonal colors of historic tree-lined streets, like Hughes Street or Columbia Avenue, just to name a few. And with Halloween behind us and the cooler weather settling in, the first vibes of holiday spirit are beginning to permeate Cape May’s landscape. Halls are being decked in Victorian Style, tree lightings are being scheduled, and of course, plans are underway for West Cape May’s annual Christmas parade!
Is it too early to be preparing for the holidays? That depends on who you ask, of 
course. Here at Homestead, we think mid-November is just about the right time to begin the planning. This year, our beautiful office has been outlined with Christmas lights. The recent chilly nights coupled with the conclusion of daylight saving time have certainly tempted us to let there be light….but we won’t be unveiling the display until Thanksgiving. If you’re planning a holiday visit, be sure to add Homestead’s office to your list of holiday light sightings!
Speaking of seasonal lights, Cape May’s holiday preview weekend is coming up, and we think it’s one of the very best ways to channel the holiday spirit. Kown as the official outset of Cape May’s holiday season, events include an Old-Fashioned Christmas Exhibit, various themed trolley rides, and holiday tours of the magnificent Physick Estate. The annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony on the grounds of the estate will take place on Saturday, November 18th at 7 pm. Santa will arrive to flip the switch, so you won’t want to be late!
The holidays are rooted in tradition, and that’s especially true here in our 
Victorian winter wonderland. Traditional, however, does not mean stale! Be on the lookout for Christmas displays that might appear a bit different from previous years; experience trolley rides that shed some new light on fond old memories, enjoy creating new memories by trying out a restaurant you may have never been to or attending a special holiday event. There are endless possibilities for making the season bright.
For those who might be finding holiday preparations more excruciating than they are exciting…we hope a visit to Cape May will help change your mind! However, there’s plenty going on around town that is not strictly Christmas themed. One such event is the Exit Zero International Jazz Festival. This semi-annual festival is popular among locals and visitors for its stellar lineup of award-winning artists. In fact, we think it’s the perfect way to relax before the hustle of the holidays really takes hold. The Jazz Festival will continue now through Sunday, November 12th.
So what’s going on at Homestead this time of year? A LOT! Yes, it’s technically the “off-season”, but for us, we’re already utilizing this time to plan for the summer of 2018. We’re working to continue offering our guests the best possible Cape May rental experience. We don’t settle for mediocrity in ANY aspect of our business…and neither should you when you’re looking ahead to your vacation planning. Remember that select Homestead rentals are available for off-season weekends, holidays, and even long-term winter stints. Whichever sort of property you’re looking for; rest assured that we’ve got you covered.
We’d like to wish everyone a wonderful weekend and a very Happy Holiday Season. Whether you’re keeping it low key or planning the biggest celebration you’ve ever had….we’re looking forward to being along for the ride!
We’d like to thank the fabulously talented Jan Bendyna for allowing us use of her work as this week’s blog cover photo! Check out more of her beautiful work!!
