America’s First Destination announces its lineup of September & October events

While most vacation destinations are shuttering their windows and packing away the patio furniture, Provincetown, Mass., is rolling out a fresh season of diverse events that can only be found in this idyllic haven at the tip of Cape Cod.

Locals cherish this time of year, as warm sunshine mixes with cool ocean breezes, and long sunsets unfurl slowly into the sea. The town’s quaint shops, charming restaurants and renowned art galleries open their doors to the sidewalks, and the award-winning beaches remain a picturesque spot for fun and relaxation.

Second Summer begins on Labor Day weekend. There is great music at the Sundays at Five Concert Series at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House on Sunday, September 1st, featuring an « I Heard it at the Movies » theme. Or you can opt for the Aids Support Group of Cape Cod Annual Silent & Live Auction.

September 2-6 is The Great Provincetown Schooner Regatta & Yacht Race, a five-day sailing event that’s both fun and educational for young and old alike. The event helps to encourage public awareness of the vital role that maritime history played in this country’s cultural and economic evolution.

On Saturday 9/7, Ptown visitors can participate in the Provincetown Harbor Swim for Life & Paddler Flotilla, a benefit for AIDS, Women’s Health and the Provincetown community. The event is considered one of the town’s quintessential traditions.

From 9/9 – 9/15, there’s The Afterglow Festival, an entire week of performance art by emerging as well as renowned artists who are sure to create sights and sounds you’ve never before experienced. The following week brings to town the Kate Clinton Classic Women’s Flag Football Tournament, in which national & international women’s teams compete in 8 on 8, semi-contact flag football. It’s definitely a sight to behold. September 13 – 22 is Ptown’s 10 Days of Art at the Provincetown Town Hall Auditorium, where local artists Zehra Khan and Tim Winn’s work will be featured along with many others. Special programming, theater, music and video presentations will all be offered as well. Rounding out the end of the month is September 22’s Pilgrim Monument Historic House Tour, in which participants will be granted admission to the Pilgrim Monument and Provincetown Museum, in addition to a tour of the homes in the far East End of the town. Of special note is the tour’s featuring of The Norman Mailer House.

Still not enough fun for you? The month concludes with a bang in the form of the annual Tennessee Williams Theater Festival from 9/26 – 9/29. This year celebrates the woman. Eight productions will be presented that explore Williams’ renowned classics as well as some lesser-known experiments, in conjunction with works by Gertrude Stein and Jane Bowles. Theater enthusiasts and novices alike will not want to miss it.

As many options as September in Ptown provides, that’s only one half of its « Second Summer » season:

OCTOBER 2013

Oct. 3-6: Mates Leather Weekend – Leather/fetish community events and music with a portion of proceeds benefitting the AIDS support group.

Oct. 4-6: Provincetown Food and Wine Festival – Participants can enjoy the beautiful Ptown landscapes while sampling an array of fine wines and delicious cuisine from local establishments, all benefitting the Provincetown Soup Kitchen and the Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies. Culinary writer and comedian Cheril Vendetti will be the special guest for the event.

Oct. 11: Provincetown Art Association & Museum Gala – An elegant benefit for PAAM’s curatorial projects.

Oct. 11-13: Townwide Yard Sale – Bargains and fun as shopkeepers’ wares spill out onto the sidewalk.

Oct. 14-20: Women’s Week. A week of events, shows, exhibits and fun all geared toward women.

Oct. 20-27: Fantasia Fair. The longest-running annual event in the transgender world with shows, workshops, and food.

Oct. 25-27: The Provincetown Business Guild 50/50 Raffle, haunted houses, cemetery walking tours, food, and more. Be prepared to be scared!

Oct. 31-Nov. 2: Ghost Town – Visit this haunted attraction for a spine-tingling scare!

Oct. 31-Nov. 3: Halloween @ The Crown