Kick Off Your Summer With A Week Of Family Fun On Cape Cod!
The Third Annual Yarmouth Summer Celebration Kick-Off is set to “kick-off” on Friday, June 21st with the preview of some 36 two and a half ton commissioned sand sculptures at area businesses crafted by a team of seven sculpting professionals from the East Coast. The sculptors will be spending the week prior to the “kick-off” completing custom-crafted works of sand art at Yarmouth area businesses. The event, which spans eight full days leading into the July 4th holiday, encompasses a wide spectrum of fabulous family entertainment to celebrate the arrival of summer, including the sand sculpting, kite fun, fishing derby, ice cream sampling, nature strolls, sailing regatta, festival beach party, Yarmouth-Dennis Cape League home baseball games, Marine Battle Color Ceremony, a sea captains and pirates adventure, and fireworks finale. Both the young and the young-at-heart will find plenty to enjoy over the week.
Ahoy mateys! To kick things off this year, the Historical Society of Yarmouth features a gathering of famous Cape Cod sea captains and buccaneers in a “pirates’ caper” on the Kelly Chapel green on Saturday, the 22nd, starting at 2:00 pm . Then on Sunday afternoon, the Rum Soaked Crooks will present an entertaining concert of sea chanteys. Landlubber or not, this will be an “argh-uably” awesome time for all ages.
The centerpiece of the “Yarmouth Summer Celebration Kick-Off” is the themed two and a half ton sand sculptures, which have been commissioned at area business locations. Once completed, the sculptors will work together in creating two twenty ton sculptures, one at Bass River Beach and one at Seagull Beach. The public is invited to watch the sculptors craft these creations, while “trying their own hand” in amateur sculpting contests at the beaches on Thursday, June 27, and Saturday, June 29. The professional sculptors will lend guidance and judge the amateur contests. Master Sculptor, Greg Grady, from Hampton Beach, NH will be directing the sculpting program this year. Visit www.sculpturesgreggrady.com to get a true sense of Greg’s sculpting talents.
Another major component of the Summer Celebration is the “Kite Fun” program orchestrated by Archie Stewart of Kite Education of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, and his kite flying aficionados. This year Archie and his kiting colleagues will be running “Kite Fun” from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. If you don’t have your own kite to fly, this year we will once again have 600 complimentary kite kits (first come, first served), which our younger guests can decorate and fly. The kite team will assist with building the kites. In addition, there will be any number of large signature kites that the professionals will have adorning the skies overhead. Then, on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, the kite professionals will stage synchronized kite dancing and hands-on demonstrations for all ages to enjoy. Archie teaches and performs throughout the region. See www.kiteeducation.com for further information.
But there’s much more than just sand and sky. Join the fun at Monday evening’s “Salsa by the Sea” Latin dance workshop and demonstration featuring professional dance couple Doug and Kimberlee McHugh of Ballroom Bliss www.ballroom-bliss.com. Are you ready to fine-tune your Latin moves? Then on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, local naturalist Connie Boyce will be leading a “stroll” for nature lovers of all ages at Bass Hole, also known as Gray’s Beach, off the Old King’s Highway. On Tuesday, June 25th, afternoon and evening, it’s time for fishermen to stand up and be counted. At 4:00 pm, a fishing clinic and contests will be staged to be followed by a fishing derby from 5:00 until 8:00 pm at Bass River Beach. Lee Boisvert and his team at Riverview Bait & Tackle www.riverviewbaitandtackle.com will be “leading the fishing parade” with prizes awarded for the “best catches.” On Wednesday evening, the 26th, an ice cream “chill-off” sampling will take place at Bass River Beach from 6:30 to 8:30 pm. A number of Yarmouth’s ice cream shops will have their most popular offerings on hand. Lincoln is unquestionably one of our country’s most endeared presidents and a bill with his picture on it ($5) will get you five scoops of your favorite flavors … something that he surely never had a chance to partake. We are delighted that the Y-D Red Sox will be stopping by to say hello, toss a few balls around, and sign autographs … not to mention eat some ice cream! And, if this is not enough to capture your fancy, champion stunt bicycle rider, Chris Poulos www.chrispoulos.com will be performing some of his amazing bicycle stunts by the beach. Of course, the kite flying demonstrations will be taking place overhead, while our Latin dancing, fishing, and ice cream sampling are happening below on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings respectively! Also, on Wednesday evening at 5:00 pm, the U. S. Marine Corps Battle Color Ceremony returns for an encore performance this year at the D-Y High School with their Color Guard, Marine Band, and Silent Drill Team performing for your viewing and listening pleasure.
On the evenings of Friday, the 21st , Sunday, the 23rd, Tuesday, the 25th, Thursday, the 27th, and Saturday , the 29th, the Y-D Red Sox will be playing home ball at Red Wilson Field at the Dennis-Yarmouth High School beginning at 5:00 pm. And, back by popular demand is Wally the Green Monster, who will be throwing out the first pitch at Thursday’s game and providing autographed cards and photo ops for all his fans.
On Friday, June 28, we will move from the beach to the water to enjoy the Cape Cod Sailing Regatta hosted by the Bass River Yacht Club, featuring several different classes of sailboats including Opti’s and 420′s. Come cheer the boats on from the Bass River Beach shore … unless, of course, you have a boat and want to compete against the fleet. If so, contact the Bass River Yacht Club at www.bassriveryc.org. Then Friday evening, we hope you’ll join us for the party of all summer beach parties at Bass River Beach. Captain Parker’s chowder, hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken, Cape Cod Potato Chips, ice cream treats, and a local raw bar will be the fare along with wine, beer and soft beverages, not to mention a beach bonfire and musical entertainment. Brett “Ooch” Outchcunis will be providing the party entertainment for the evening. Ooch is a multi-dimensional entertainer mixing his talents as a motivational speaker, yo-yo champion, professional dance instructor, and DJ into one memorable show. The price is $25 for adults including two drink chits and $10 for those under 21 years of age. Spectacular beachside setting, wonderful food, and terrific entertainment for one affordable price! Tickets are limited so reserve early by calling the Yarmouth Area Chamber of Commerce at 508-778-1008.
Then, on Saturday during the daylight hours, the places to be and be seen are Bass River and Seagull beaches for the “unveiling” of the two signature sand sculptures featuring late afternoon sand sculpting parties with refreshments and awards for the best amateur sculptures. Now segue to Red Wilson Field at 5:00 pm for a game between arch rivals Brewster and Y-D. And, last but certainly not least, are the family cartoons on the “big screen” at dusk followed by a spectacular fireworks finale set to music at the Dennis-Yarmouth High School ball fields. American Thunder Fireworks promises “more booms than ever” this year.
The Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox Organization is once again the host non-profit sponsor of the Yarmouth Summer Celebration Kick-Off with funding made possible by the Town of Yarmouth’s Tourism Fund and many local businesses. With special thanks, we welcome the Cape Cod Irish Village as this year’s presenting sponsor. The Yarmouth Area Chamber of Commerce is as always providing logistical and administrative support for this event.
So join us in Yarmouth for the official “kick-off” to the summer season. It’s not only a wonderful time to visit the Cape just before the July Fourth Holiday and the summer crowds, Yarmouth lodging establishments, restaurants, and retailers will be offering special values during the “Summer Celebration” to make it affordable as well. And, the weather on Cape Cod in late June is usually warm and sunny providing visitors the ideal time to enjoy the myriad of recreational and cultural opportunities for which we are well known.
“The Town of Yarmouth is looking forward to officially kicking off the summer season in grand style again this year and encourages new and returning visitors and residents alike to join us for the festivities,” said Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, Bob DuBois.
Please visit our Presenting Sponsor – The Cape Cod Irish Village
