Cold Spring Brewery’s 10th Anniversary Backyard BBQ in Cape May: Beer, Music & a Community Fundraiser

Cold Spring Brewery 10th Anniversary Backyard BBQ Birthday Bash is a summer block‑party fundraiser held at Cold Spring Brewery at 735 Seashore Rd, Cape May, NJ 08204, USA. On Sunday, July 12 from 1:00–5:00 PM the brewery throws open its backyard for four hours of beer, music, and community-driven fun to celebrate a decade of local brewing.

The scene is straightforward: a long lawn shaded by oaks and the brewery’s barnlike facade sets the stage for a live band, folding tables piled with barbecue, a lineup of yard games, and a silent auction that supports Historic Cold Spring Village. For $15 per person you get a meal, one silent-auction ticket, and entry to the corn hole tournament (email [email protected] to register). Expect $1 off pints at the bar, birthday cake, and the kind of easy, neighborhood energy that makes Cape May summers feel communal.

What makes this event stand out is its sense of place. Cold Spring Brewery sits a short ride from Cape May’s beaches and salt marshes where migrating shorebirds and horseshoe crabs pass through each season. The town’s Victorian architecture and maritime history frame the afternoon, and the fundraiser’s beneficiary, Historic Cold Spring Village, preserves local crafts and historic buildings—tying the brewery’s ten years to the longer story of the peninsula.

Bring a camp chair or low blanket to stake your spot near the stage; the setup favors relaxed viewing and social spacing rather than formal seating. Yard games and the cornhole tournament are open to attendees, and the silent auction often features local art, brewery swag, and experiences that reflect Cape May’s coastal character. Family groups are welcome—bring ID for beer service and cash or card for extra auction bids.

Practical details: arrive early for limited parking along Seashore Road, consider a bike or ride-share on busy summer afternoons, and pack sun protection: the lawn sees full sun in midafternoon. This is a short, social outing — four hours of live music, food, and community support — that pairs perfectly with a long weekend in Cape May. For locals and visitors alike, the Backyard BBQ is less about spectacle and more about the satisfying, tangible pleasures of good beer, grilled food, and giving back to a cultural institution that keeps the town’s history alive.

Expect the afternoon to smell of smoke and grilled corn, punctuated by hops from the brewery taproom. Live music runs from acoustic sets to roots rock, and the yard-game field gives the gathering a festival feel rather than a formal fundraiser. Tickets are limited—buy ahead to help organizers plan food; every bid and pint benefits Historic Cold Spring Village. Bring a refillable bottle, cash for auction items, and expect a relaxed crowd.