Cape May Lighthouse Plans National Lighthouse Day Celebration

Issue #760

July 28, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

🕵Cape May Lighthouse Plans National Lighthouse Day Celebration

⛵More Coyotes Spotted Near Homes in Wildwood's Holly Beach

🎭Spirit Halloween's Flagship Store Returns to Egg Harbor Township With Aug. 1 Grand Opening

Cape May Local Scoop’s Events Are Sponsored By: Survivors of Cancer

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

 July 28

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Cape May Lighthouse Plans National Lighthouse Day Celebration

The Cape May Lighthouse will celebrate National Lighthouse Day on Friday, Aug. 7, with family-friendly activities, a crafts show and free lighthouse climbs for children ages 3 to 12.

The event will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the historic lighthouse, located at 215 Lighthouse Avenue in Cape May Point State Park. Access to the park is through Cape May Point.

Presented by Cape May MAC, the celebration will highlight the history and continuing importance of lighthouses as navigational landmarks and symbols of maritime safety, ingenuity and preservation.

The Cape May Lighthouse has served as an aid to navigation since 1859 and is among the oldest continuously operating lighthouses in the United States. Construction began in 1857 under the direction of the Army Corps of Engineers, and the beacon was first illuminated on Oct. 31, 1859.

National Lighthouse Day was established by Congress in 1989 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the signing of the Lighthouse Act and the commissioning of the nation’s first federal lighthouse. The observance also recognizes the role lighthouses have played in American history and supports efforts to restore and preserve historic towers.

Cape May MAC became involved in preserving the Cape May Lighthouse during the 1980s, when the U.S. Coast Guard began leasing lighthouses to organizations capable of maintaining them.

In December 1986, the Coast Guard leased the tower to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection’s Division of Parks and Forestry. Cape May MAC later subleased the property with the goal of restoring the structure, maintaining it and opening it to the public.

The organization opened the lighthouse’s ground floor on July 18, 1987, followed by the full tower on May 28, 1988.

Since then, more than 3 million visitors have climbed the lighthouse’s 199 steps. More than 79,000 people pay to make the climb each year, with many additional visitors touring the surrounding grounds.

Cape May MAC has invested approximately $3 million in capital improvements, along with ongoing annual maintenance, to preserve the tower for future generations.

Cape May MAC is a nonprofit organization dedicated to historic preservation, interpretation and cultural programming throughout the Cape May region.

More information about the organization’s tours, festivals and special events is available at capemaymac.org or by calling 609-884-5404.

 

More Coyotes Spotted Near Homes in Wildwood's Holly Beach

 Residents in Wildwood's Holly Beach neighborhood are reporting an increase in coyote sightings, with several encounters occurring near homes during the early morning and nighttime hours.

Wildlife experts say coyotes have become more common across Wildwood and the Five Mile Beach barrier islands as the adaptable animals take advantage of readily available food sources and established habitat in the area's dunes and back bays.

Officials note that unsecured garbage, pet food left outdoors and, in some cases, intentional feeding by residents can attract coyotes into residential neighborhoods. As the animals become accustomed to finding food around people, they may lose their natural fear of humans, increasing the likelihood of future encounters.

Coyotes have maintained breeding populations throughout Cape May County for years, using dune vegetation, brush and other sheltered areas as habitat. Residents have also reported coyotes approaching domestic dogs in some neighborhoods, raising concerns among pet owners.

Wildwood officials are encouraging residents to take several precautions to reduce encounters with the animals, including securing garbage in tightly sealed containers, removing outdoor pet food and water, and bringing small pets indoors at night.

Dog owners are advised to keep pets on short leashes, particularly during dawn and dusk when coyotes are most active.

If a coyote approaches, wildlife officials recommend making loud noises, appearing as large as possible and using other hazing techniques, such as throwing small objects nearby or spraying the animal with a garden hose, to reinforce its natural fear of people.

Residents who observe unusually aggressive behavior or coyotes showing no fear of humans are encouraged to contact local police or the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

While coyote sightings can be unsettling, experts emphasize that the animals generally avoid people and that removing food sources is one of the most effective ways to discourage them from lingering in residential areas

Spirit Halloween's Flagship Store Returns to Egg Harbor Township With Aug. 1 Grand Opening

Halloween season is arriving early in South Jersey as Spirit Halloween prepares to celebrate the grand opening of its flagship store in Egg Harbor Township on Saturday, Aug. 1. In another month or so they will seem to be everywhere.

The annual kickoff event returns after a one-year hiatus in 2025, when the company canceled the celebration because of international supply chain disruptions. This year's event is expected to draw thousands of Halloween fans to Harbor Square Plaza, located at 6725 Black Horse Pike.

Although advance registration for the first 2,000 attendees sold out quickly, the event remains free and open to the public. General admission will be available on-site, with organizers recommending guests arrive by 7 a.m. to join the general admission line.

Outdoor festivities begin at 8 a.m. and will feature games, food vendors, music, giveaways and interactive activities. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony and store opening are scheduled for 10 a.m. Outdoor activities conclude at noon, while the store will remain open until 8 p.m.

Spirit Halloween will randomly distribute 250 swag bags to registered attendees during check-in, with an additional 30 swag bags available to guests attending the event.

Organizers emphasized that camping and overnight parking will not be permitted anywhere on the Harbor Square property. Guests are asked not to arrive before 7 a.m., and Egg Harbor Township police and event security will monitor the property and surrounding areas. Anyone attempting to camp overnight will be asked to leave.

The flagship opening marks the unofficial start of the Halloween shopping season for Spirit Halloween, which plans to open a record 1,575 seasonal stores across the United States and Canada this year. The retailer, headquartered in Egg Harbor Township, is also hiring approximately 52,000 seasonal employees for the 2026 Halloween season.

 Answer to the July 27th Trivia Question

Which Cape May beach is named after a famous philanthropist and offers a more secluded spot compared to other local beaches?

A) Poverty Beach
B) The Cove
C) Higbee Beach
D) Jefferson Beach

Answer: C) Higbee Beach.

Higbee Beach is known for its natural, less crowded atmosphere and is a favorite spot for birdwatchers and nature lovers. Located just north of Cape May, it is named after Joseph Higbee, a philanthropist who contributed to the local community.​

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