Festivals in Cape Cod

A festival is a celebration of life. Diving in to the joys of festivity is an affirmation of living life to the fullest and counting on our blessings. Every region in the world has festivals that are typical of the region and mirrors its culture and way of life. Cape Cod is no exception. Its proximity to the seas and laid-back lifestyles of its residents are reflected in its festivals.

The inhabitants celebrate their clams, chowder and scallops, strawberries and cranberries, daffodils, films, music, and their sea faring tradition. Any time is a festival time in Cape Cod. Majority of the festivals has food with seafood delicacies as fixed feature. A typical harbor festival will have food, music, games, fishing competitions and boat races.

Men who fancy being Casanovas, for them there is an Oyster festival held during the month of October in Hyannis. For $40, you may eat as many Oysters as your intestines would allow and taste choicest wines. Of course, food is also included in this and the $40 you pay is a donation that goes to build Cape Cod and Islands United Way. The Nantucket wine festival held in May allows sampling 100 different choicest wines. Wine may also be tasted at Cape Cod winery in E. Falmouth from May through December.

Strawberry and blueberry festivals are held in June and August respectively every year in E. Sandwich where you may enjoy strawberry and blueberry desserts. For herb lovers Green Briar Herb festival, E. Sandwich, has plant sales, lectures on the uses of herbs everyday and herb luncheons on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association (CCCGA) organizes a cranberry harvesting festival every year where you get a chance to see picturesque cranberry bogs, some of them are the biggest in the world. The ride is free and food stalls sell delicious food of fresh catches from the sea.

If you love music and films, Cape Cod has plenty to offer. Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival presents ensembles round the year giving exposure to exceptional young talents. During the month of August, CCCMF has programs almost every day. The founder and the first violinist of the Borromeo String Quartet, Nicholas Kitchen is the art director of CCCMF. His creativity and vision has made this festival popular nationally. The Cape Symphony Orchestra plays for most part of the year in Hyannis and in other towns of Cape Cod.

Every year independent filmmakers from all over the world rub elbows at the Provincetown International film festival. 50 films and related programs have much to offer in terms of excitement. Nantucket film festival is an annual event that is dedicated to the screenwriters. From August 16 to September 16, there is a month long theatre festival in Orleans that shows “Rumor” a Neil Simon’s play. For one month, every night, except on Mondays, a masterpiece of Andrew Webber Lloyd is enacted. In Dennis, children can watch theatre that is especially meant for them, over a period of 56 days starting from July 1st. Every week a new play is enacted.

A celebration of Jazz and the arts takes lace in Bass River on 24-25th of June. Live music, theatre, art and jazz exhibition and sales, and jazz brunch are the happenings that take place there.

People of Cape Cod it seems have a penchant for festivals. They celebrate when around 3 millions of daffodils cover the island to mark their individuality as a region and they join the nation in 4th July celebrations to mark their solidarity and remind that they are as much a part of the USA.