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AirFest 2026 Returns to Cape May With Historic World War II Aircraft and Family Entertainment

Issue #769

August 06, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather 

🛩️AirFest 2026 Returns to Cape May With Historic World War II Aircraft and Family Entertainment

🎺Former Somers Point Musician Josh Bassett Comes Home for One-Night Performance

⚽Massive Indoor Athletic Complex Planned for Lower Township

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

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

 August 6

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AirFest 2026 Returns to Cape May With Historic World War II Aircraft and Family Entertainment

The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum is preparing for the return of AirFest 2026, a four-day celebration of aviation history that will showcase some of the most iconic aircraft of World War II while raising support for the museum's preservation and educational efforts.

The 30th annual event, presented by J. Byrne Insurance Agency, will take place from Sept. 3 through Sept. 6 at Historic Hangar No. 1 at Cape May Airport. Activities will run daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Visitors will have an opportunity to explore a variety of historic aircraft while enjoying live music, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, Ted Schwartz's World War II radio program, performances by Animal House and other attractions. Complimentary shuttle bus service will be available on Saturday and Sunday.

Among the featured aircraft will be the Commemorative Air Force Capital Wing's TBM-3E Avenger, known as "Doris Mae." The aircraft is scheduled to arrive on Sept. 3 and remain on display throughout the event.

Designed by Grumman and manufactured under license by General Motors in New Jersey in 1945, the aircraft originally served with the United States Marine Corps before later entering service with the Royal Canadian Navy. Acquired by the Commemorative Air Force in 2001, the aircraft was carefully restored to its wartime appearance.

The Avenger played an important role during World War II as a carrier-based torpedo bomber. Equipped with a powerful radial engine and folding wings, it became one of the largest single-engine aircraft operating from aircraft carriers during the war.

Additional aircraft scheduled to appear at AirFest include the Messerschmitt Me 262 "Schwalbe" jet fighter, the Stinson L-5/OY-1 Sentinel "Gayle Ann" and the Fairchild UC-61 Forwarder "Miss Cherrie II."

In addition to hosting the annual festival, the museum continues its mission of honoring the 42 servicemen who lost their lives while training at the site, restoring the historic hangar and preserving the region's aviation history for future generations.

The museum's collection includes more than 27 aircraft and helicopters, making it one of the region's most significant aviation attractions.

 

Former Somers Point Musician Josh Bassett Comes Home for One-Night Performance

Rock musician Josh Bassett is returning to his hometown later this month for a special concert benefiting the Gateway Playhouse in Somers Point.

The one-night-only event, "Jersey Magick Featuring Bassett," will be held Aug. 20 at the historic theater and will combine original music, a reunion of local performers and a fundraising effort supporting the nonprofit playhouse.

Born and raised at the Jersey Shore, Bassett graduated from Mainland Regional High School before studying jazz guitar at the University of Miami. He later relocated to Los Angeles, where he built a career as a singer, songwriter and guitarist while also spending time recording and performing in Italy.

Throughout his career, Bassett has appeared at legendary venues including the Whisky a Go Go, the Viper Room, the House of Blues and Rockwood Music Hall. He has also performed alongside Steven Tyler and Aerosmith and has collaborated with a number of accomplished musicians, including Leon Hendrix.

Organizers describe the concert as both a celebration of Bassett's musical journey and a tribute to the South Jersey community that helped shape his career.

The performance will be divided into two segments. During the first act, Bassett will showcase original material from his latest solo project, blending traditional rock influences with modern production techniques. The second act will feature a reunion of South Jersey musicians who performed with and inspired Bassett during his early years.

Among the musicians scheduled to appear are bassist Drew Murphy, drummers Joe Mintz and Ken Strazzeri, and members of the popular South Jersey band Revolver, including Jim Kelley and Steve Kyle. Additional guest performers are expected to join the show throughout the evening.

The concert also represents a significant personal milestone for Bassett, who overcame a vocal illness and embraced new recording methods while developing the music that will be featured during the performance.

Gateway Playhouse Board President Katie Calvi described the event as a celebration of local talent, enduring friendships and the importance of preserving opportunities for future generations of performers.

Bassett said the title "Jersey Magick" reflects the unique connection many residents feel toward the South Jersey region, its natural surroundings and its artistic community.

Concertgoers will also have access to exclusive merchandise created specifically for the event, including limited-edition shirts and restored recordings from Bassett's early years as a songwriter.

Doors will open at 7 p.m., followed by a pre-show gathering before the concert begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are $27 and may be purchased through GatewayByTheBay.org. The Gateway Playhouse is located at 738 Bay Ave. in Somers Point.

Massive Indoor Athletic Complex Planned for Lower Township

A large indoor sports complex planned for Cape May Airport has cleared a major hurdle, moving one step closer to becoming a year-round destination for athletic competitions, training programs and community events.

The Lower Township Planning Board unanimously granted conditional approval for the project's site plan in July, paving the way for construction to begin within the coming months. Developers expect the facility to be completed by the winter of 2027.

Known as the Aviation Sports Complex, the project will feature a 100,000-square-foot air-supported dome situated on an eight-acre parcel near the airport's water tower along Breakwater Road.

The estimated $9 million to $10 million project will include a dome measuring approximately 250 feet wide, 400 feet long and 75 feet high. Engineers say the structure is designed to withstand wind gusts of up to 160 miles per hour and snowfall accumulations of as much as three feet.

Plans call for approximately 40,000 square feet of artificial turf dedicated to soccer, lacrosse, flag football and other field sports. Another 60,000 square feet will be reserved for basketball, volleyball and as many as 22 pickleball courts, but no ice rinks as a few social media readers have suggested.

In addition to the athletic facilities, the project includes a 15,000-square-foot welcome center that will feature locker rooms, food service areas, retail space and accommodations for private events such as birthday parties and team gatherings.

Supporters believe the facility will fill a significant need for indoor athletic space in Cape May County while creating new opportunities to host tournaments and training programs throughout the year.

County officials previously considered plans for a publicly funded recreation center with an estimated price tag of $28 million. Instead, leaders chose to support the privately financed Aviation Sports Complex, which is expected to become one of the region's premier sports destinations.

Developers estimate that the project could be completed within approximately one year after construction begins.

 

Which significant historical industry was prominent in Cape May during the 17th and 18th centuries?

Which significant historical industry was prominent in Cape May during the 17th and 18th centuries?

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 Answer to the August 5th Trivia Question

Cape May, New Jersey, is recognized as the oldest seaside resort in the United States. Which significant historical figure is the city named after?

A) Christopher Columbus
B) Henry Hudson
C) Cornelius Jacobsen Mey
D) John Cabot

Answer: C) Cornelius Jacobsen Mey

Cape May is named after the Dutch captain Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, who explored and charted the area between 1611 and 1614, establishing a claim for the province of New Netherland​s. Cape May was originally named "Cape Mey.” The name was later changed due to a misspelling in the paperwork.​

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