Harwich Is A Wonderland, Proclaims New Chamber of Commerce Campaign

HARWICH – In its efforts to showcase the town’s businesses and attractions, the Harwich Chamber of Commerce’s ideas are getting curiouser and curiouser. And that’s a good thing.

As part of a bid to jumpstart the busy summer season, the chamber is planning a new campaign, “Harwich is a Wonderland,” which will draw attention to events and happenings in the month of May using an Alice in Wonderland theme.

“My assistant always calls me Alice because I always go down rabbit holes and come up with ideas,” Executive Director Cyndi Williams said with a laugh.

The campaign has been in the works since January, and Williams is drawing on the creativity of chamber members to contribute ideas.

“Our goal is to have 100 flamingos all over Harwich in May,” she said. Boxes filled with plastic pink flamingos were set to arrive this week, and businesses can purchase them for $150, in homage to the time Alice and the Queen of Hearts played croquet using upturned flamingos as mallets. “Every village is having flamingos,” Williams said with a chuckle.

A centerpiece of Harwich is a Wonderland is “Wonder Land: A Musical Adventure,” an adaptation of the classic tale being staged on Mothers’ Day weekend in Monbleau Hall at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Harwich Port. Directed and designed by Tristan DiVincenzo, the creative force behind the popular “Dickens of a Christmas” production in December, the family-friendly musical features the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, the Blue Caterpillar, Humpty Dumpty, and the Queen of Hearts and others, helping Alice on her famous journey of self discovery. Shows happen May 10 at 7 p.m., May 11 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and May 12 at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $20 and can be purchased at www.HarwichCC.com or by calling 508-430-1165.

Details are still emerging about events in the month-long celebration, but a kickoff tea party is planned for May 4 at The Arrival, a new bed and breakfast in West Harwich. Other restaurants are planning signature cocktails on a Wonderland theme, and retailers are expected to follow suit with special decorations and offerings.

“It’s a way to showcase and market our members to the community,” Williams said. The campaign is being marketed locally and off-Cape, and aims to help businesses enjoy a strong start to the 2024 visitor season. “It’s just a chance to have fun,” she said.