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Thousands of Horseshoe Crabs Return to the Bay for a Spectacular Spawning Season

Issue #378

June 29, 2025

In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather 

🦀 Thousands of Horseshoe Crabs Return to the Bay for a Spectacular Spawning Season

🐕 Beloved Wonderland Animatronics Reborn at Ocean City Promenade

🐟 New Adventure Aquarium Exhibit Explores Ocean Wonders Through Light and Color

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Shop Local

👇 Here’s what’s going on in the Cape May Local Area👇  

 June 29

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Thousands of Horseshoe Crabs Return to South Jersey for Spectacular Spawning Season

 

  Every May and June, beaches along South Jersey’s Delaware Bay host thousands of spawning Atlantic horseshoe crabs during full and new moons. The crabs lay eggs that serve as a vital food source for Red Knots, migratory birds traveling thousands of miles. The female horseshoe crabs, often accompanied by males clinging to their backs, can deposit as many as 120,000 eggs in the sand. These eggs do far more than ensure the next generation of crabs — they are a critical food source for migrating Red Knots, a bird species that travels over 9,000 miles each year and depends heavily on the nutrient-rich eggs to fuel their long journey. Prime viewing spots include Reed’s Beach, Villas Beach, Beach Avenue near the Ferry, and Norbury’s Landing, where visitors can witness this key ecological event.

 

Beloved Wonderland Animatronics Reborn at Ocean City Promenade

 Ocean City's iconic animatronic performers from the former Gillian’s Wonderland Pier — the Man and Dog Show and the Monkey Band — have been relocated and restored at the Promenade Food Court on the Boardwalk. Thanks to the efforts of former Wonderland employee Andrew Boylan and the support of Promenade Food Court owner Giovanni Baratta, the characters are once again delighting crowds in a cozy, dedicated room within the food court. The animatronics originally debuted at Wonderland in 1992, having been repurposed from a Chuck E. Cheese installation. Performing a series of eight country songs, they quickly became crowd favorites. Over the years, their costumes and song selections evolved, and clips of their performances have gained a large following online. The fully restored displays are now running shows roughly every hour during the summer season. Fans can follow updates and behind-the-scenes content on Instagram at @manandogshow or on YouTube at @Actors317.

New Adventure Aquarium Exhibit Explores Ocean Wonders Through Light and Color 

 Adventure Aquarium in Camden will launch its largest exhibit in over 10 years on June 28. “Kaleidoscope Cove” features over 100 species, including 10–12 new ones, presented by color and movement rather than habitat. Designed to be an immersive and educational experience, Kaleidoscope Cove explores the science behind oceanic color, bioluminescence, and how marine animals adapt to environments with little or no light. Built around the aquarium’s waterfront windows, the exhibit uses natural daylight along with customized lighting to create a shifting visual environment that changes throughout the day — a “living indoor kaleidoscope.” Technology is a key feature of the experience. Guests can interact with a giant Light Bright-style wall to make colorful designs, or draw sea creatures and watch them animate across a digital mural. Visitors can also explore the science of bioluminescence and ocean color through immersive design and lighting.

What Victorian-era Cape May mansion, now a museum, is one of the best-preserved examples of "Stick Style" architecture in the area?

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Answer to the June 28th Trivia Question

Cape May's Washington Street Mall is known for which of the following?

A) Amusement park rides
B) A historic open-air shopping district
C) The oldest winery in New Jersey
D) A famous pier for fishing

Answer: B) A historic and festive open-air shopping district.

Washington Street Mall is a popular open-air shopping district in Cape May, known for its quaint shops, restaurants, and boutiques. It’s a favorite spot for both locals and tourists, offering a charming and historic atmosphere

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