Cape May County's Sand Sculpture Steals the Show on National Mall

Issue #747

July 15, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

 🗿Cape May County's Sand Sculpture Steals the Show on National Mall

🏫Annual Back-to-School Sale Offers Deep Discounts on Brand- Name Apparel

 🛟 Lifeguard Racing Returns to the Jersey Shore for 105th Summer

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

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

 July 15

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Cape May County's Sand Sculpture Steals the Show on National Mall

  Cape May County brought a piece of the Jersey Shore to the nation's capital, earning the Best in Show award at the Great American State Fair with an impressive 8-foot-tall sand sculpture celebrating the region's coastal heritage. The award-winning exhibit was created by Wildwood public school teacher and sand sculptor Brendan Schaffer, who teamed up with his husband and father to complete the massive project on short notice. After Cape May County officials decided to represent New Jersey independently, the team spent approximately two and a half days shaping and carving nearly 10 tons of sand into a striking pyramid display. The sculpture prominently features the Cape May Lighthouse alongside symbols of the county's natural beauty, including a great blue heron and a monarch butterfly, highlighting the area's renowned eco-tourism, wildlife, and coastal identity. The exhibit showcased more than just sand art. Visitors were welcomed with classic Douglass saltwater taffy, Jersey Shore-inspired displays, and creative patriotic attractions that celebrated Cape May County's beaches, boardwalks, and summer traditions during the America 250 festivities on the National Mall. Cape May County's participation stood out because New Jersey was not originally expected to have an official presence at the event after the state declined to participate. County officials stepped in to ensure the Garden State was represented, creating an exhibit that quickly became one of the fair's most talked-about attractions. In addition to receiving the fair's Best in Show honor, the pavilion was also recognized by The Federalist, which ranked it third among all 56 state and territorial exhibits. The recognition has brought widespread attention to Schaffer's work and highlighted Cape May County as a premier tourism destination, showcasing the area's iconic landmarks, natural beauty, and seaside traditions to thousands of visitors from across the country.

Annual Back-to-School Sale Offers Deep Discounts on Brand-Name Apparel

According the Wildwood Convention Center calendar of events, a back to school sale is around the corner! Bargain hunters and families preparing for the new school year will have an opportunity to save on name-brand apparel when the annual Back-to-School Warehouse Clothing Sale returns to the Wildwoods Convention Center from Thursday, July 30, through Tuesday, August 11, 2026. The sale will feature discounts of up to 80 percent on a wide selection of clothing and accessories for men, women, and children. Shoppers will find deals on T-shirts, hoodies, jeans, shorts, swimwear, footwear, pants, sweaters, dresses, skirts, outerwear, and a variety of accessories. The warehouse sale will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. from July 30 through August 10. On the final day, Tuesday, August 11, the event will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, and organizers encourage shoppers to visit more than once, as merchandise will be restocked and refreshed each day throughout the event. All major credit cards will be accepted, and all sales are final. The annual sale has become a popular destination for residents and visitors looking to stretch their back-to-school budgets while purchasing brand-name clothing at significantly reduced prices. For additional information about the Back-to-School Warehouse Clothing Sale, contact the event organizers at 609-729-9000.

Lifeguard Racing Returns to the Jersey Shore for 105th Summer

 The Jersey Shore's long-standing tradition of lifeguard racing is underway, celebrating its 105th season as beach patrols from across South Jersey compete in a series of challenging events throughout the summer. Organized by the South Jersey Lifeguard Chiefs Association, the season features 15 beach patrols testing their skills in rowing, swimming, paddleboarding, rescue board races, and surf dash relays. The competitions showcase the athleticism and teamwork of the region's lifeguards while honoring a tradition that dates back to 1919. The season's premier competitions, known as the "Big Three," are scheduled for Friday evenings later this summer. The Dutch Hoffman Memorials will be held in Wildwood on July 31, followed by the Margate Memorials on Aug. 7. The season concludes with the 105th South Jersey Championships in Avalon on Aug. 14. One of the Shore's signature events, the Buzz Mogck Memorial Cape May SuperAthalon, took place in Cape May on July 13. The demanding triathlon-style competition challenged participants from beach patrols stretching from Cape May Point to Long Beach Island with a 2.3-mile run along the Promenade and Boardwalk, a 1.5-mile rowing leg, and a quarter-mile ocean swim. The Longport Women's Invitational Race is scheduled for July 14 and will feature many of the region's top female lifeguards competing in a variety of events. The competition schedule also includes the popular surf dash relays, one of the season's most anticipated events. During the relay, four-person teams sprint into the surf, race to a buoy, return to shore, and tag the next teammate in a fast-paced test of speed and endurance. The event traditionally draws large crowds, with spectators lining the beach to cheer on the competitors. The races are free to attend and remain a favorite summer tradition, bringing together lifeguards, residents, and visitors to celebrate the skill, dedication, and camaraderie of the Jersey Shore's beach patrols.

 Answer to the July 14th Trivia Question

Cape May is often considered the oldest seaside resort in the United States. When did it first begin attracting vacationers?

A) 1620
B) 1766
C) 1801
D) 1855

Answer: B) 1766

Cape May began hosting vacationers as early as 1766, primarily attracting visitors from Philadelphia, making it one of the oldest resort destinations in the country.​

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