Martians Invade Cape May as East Lynne Theater Celebrates Halloween

Issue #840

October 15, 2026

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In This Cape May Local Scoop Issue…

 📆 Cape May Events

☀️ Cape May Local Weather

 🎃Martians Invade Cape May as East Lynne Theater Celebrates Halloween

 🜸Legendary Oldies Acts Return to Wildwood for Spectacular October 17 Concert 

🏛️ $1.6 Million Emergency Dredging Project Aims to Reopen Dangerous Townsends Inlet Channel

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

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

October 15

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Martians Invade Cape May as East Lynne Theater Celebrates Halloween

Cape May is preparing for an alien invasion this Halloween, but there's no need to panic. East Lynne Theater Company is welcoming extraterrestrials of all shapes and sizes to the Clemans Theater for the Arts for two nights of Martian costume contests on Oct. 30 and 31.

The out-of-this-world celebration coincides with the theater company's production of War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast, bringing a playful Halloween twist to one of science fiction's most legendary stories.

Audience members are encouraged to arrive dressed as their favorite aliens, whether inspired by beloved characters from E.T., ALF, Mork & Mindy, Star Wars, Doctor Who or Guardians of the Galaxy. Those with a more imaginative streak can create their own intergalactic characters, from classic little green men to elaborate creatures from distant galaxies.

The festivities will feature prizes for the best costumes, light refreshments and plenty of opportunities for memorable Halloween photographs.

According to East Lynne Theater Company's executive director and production director Mark David Boberick, the celebration is part of a broader effort to establish the Clemans Theater as a Halloween destination for Cape May residents and visitors.

The timing of the event carries special historical significance. Oct. 30 marks the 88th anniversary of Orson Welles' famous 1938 radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds, presented by the Mercury Theatre on the Air.

The broadcast, which portrayed a fictional Martian invasion through simulated news reports, became one of the most talked-about moments in American radio history. Its realistic presentation caused confusion and alarm among some listeners, cementing its place in broadcasting folklore.

East Lynne's current production, adapted by playwright Joe Landry from H.G. Wells' classic science-fiction novel and inspired by the Welles broadcast, recreates the atmosphere of a 1930s radio studio. The theatrical presentation combines suspense, vintage radio techniques and imaginative staging to bring the legendary invasion story to life.

The production has also earned favorable local reviews, with Exit Zero Magazine praising its nostalgic atmosphere and suspense, while the Cape May Star and Wave highlighted Boberick's direction, creative staging and talented cast.

The Martian costume contests add another dimension to the production, inviting audiences to become part of the science-fiction spectacle rather than simply watching it unfold onstage.

For families, theater enthusiasts and Halloween revelers, the two-night event offers a chance to celebrate the spooky season with a combination of live entertainment, creative costumes and a little extraterrestrial fun.

War of the Worlds: The Panic Broadcast continues through Nov. 1 at the Clemans Theater for the Arts, located at 717 Franklin St. in Cape May. Performances are scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets cost $40 for general admission, $35 for seniors and $25 for students and military personnel.

For tickets and additional information, visit EastLynneTheater.org.

 Legendary Oldies Acts Return to Wildwood for Spectacular October 17 Concert

The sounds of rock ’n’ roll, doo-wop, disco and classic oldies will fill the Wildwoods Convention Center on Saturday, Oct. 17, as the popular Wildwoods Oldies Spectacular returns for another unforgettable evening of music and nostalgia.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. in the Starlight Ballroom and features an exciting lineup of performers, including Jay Siegel & The Tokens, The Trammps, Clyde McPhatter's Drifters and The Chiclettes. Popular entertainer Tommy Cono will serve as the evening's host.

This year's event marks a new chapter for the longtime Wildwood tradition, with the Bobby Rydell Foundation taking over production of the concert, continuing a musical celebration that has been part of the shore community's entertainment calendar for more than two decades.

For generations, Wildwood has held a special place in the history of American popular music. During the 1950s and 1960s, the resort town became a destination for legendary performers, emerging recording artists and vacationers eager to experience the latest sounds of rock ’n’ roll.

Wildwood's nightclubs, ballrooms and entertainment venues helped establish the shore community as a major stop for performers whose songs would become part of American music history. The annual Oldies Spectacular continues that tradition, bringing fans together to celebrate the songs and performers that helped define an era.

For more than 20 years, the concert has been a highlight of the Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce's Oldies Weekend, drawing music lovers from throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and beyond.

With the Bobby Rydell Foundation now producing the show, organizers are looking to preserve that legacy while introducing a new chapter in the event's history.

The Bobby Rydell Foundation's involvement gives this year's concert special meaning in a community closely connected to the late entertainer.

Bobby Rydell was one of the most recognizable teen idols of the late 1950s and early 1960s, recording hits such as Wild One, Volare and Swingin' School.

His connection to Wildwood became part of the resort's musical identity, and his influence continues to resonate with fans who remember the heyday of the Jersey Shore's nightclub and rock ’n’ roll scene.

Rydell died in 2022 at age 79, but his musical legacy remains closely associated with Wildwood. By taking on production of the Oldies Spectacular, the foundation is helping carry forward the entertainment traditions that Rydell and his contemporaries helped make famous.

The concert is part of Wildwood's longstanding Oldies Weekend tradition, which celebrates the music, culture and memories of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. The event also provides an opportunity for longtime fans to revisit the music of their youth while introducing younger audiences to performers and songs that influenced generations of artists.

With its combination of doo-wop harmonies, early rock ’n’ roll and disco favorites, the 2026 Wildwoods Oldies Spectacular offers a musical journey through several decades of popular entertainment. For Wildwood, the evening represents more than another concert. It is a continuation of the shore town's rich entertainment history and its enduring connection to the music that helped put the resort on the map.

$1.6 Million Emergency Dredging Project Aims to Reopen Dangerous Townsends Inlet Channel

Sea Isle City and Avalon have agreed to fund a $1.6 million emergency dredging project to remove a massive sandbar threatening navigation beneath the Townsends Inlet Bridge. Each municipality will contribute $650,000, with Cape May County and the Bridge Commission providing the remaining $300,000. Using equipment already operating nearby, crews plan to create a 200-foot-wide, 20-foot-deep channel. The project could take approximately three days once work begins. Officials are also exploring federal navigation channel designation to help fund future maintenance.

Which Cape May event is popular among birdwatchers for observing migrating raptors and other bird species?

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 Answer to the October 14th Trivia Question 

Cape May is recognized for its role in the protection of which animal species during their migration?

A) Bald eagles
B) Gray whales
C) Monarch butterflies
D) Leatherback turtles

Answer: C) Monarch butterflies.

Cape May is a critical stopover for monarch butterflies during their migration to Mexico each fall. The area’s unique geography funnels the butterflies to Cape May Point, making it one of the best places to observe this natural phenomenon.​

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