Schooner Festival -- and Blue Shutters Openings -- this Labor Day Weekend

The Labor Day weekend will soon be upon us, and there's good news for those of you hoping to make a visit to Gloucester part of your holiday plans. We've been booked solid for most of the summer, but there have been some last minute cancellations that opened up some rooms for this weekend. Call or email us and we'll see if we can get you here for the Labor Day holiday festivities. And those festivities will be pretty awesome -- there will be boat tours, fireworks, a downtown block party and more, all part of the Gloucester Schooner Festival, September 3-6 (that's one of the featured ships -- Gloucester own Schooner Thomas Lannon -- in the photo above). There's no better place for your home base than the Blue Shutters -- in between all of the festival activities, you can enjoy the beach and the peaceful backdrop of our Good Harbor Beach. Hope to see you this weekend!

Blue Shutters Plays a Part in "Run Gloucester"...and a Birthday Celebration

The Blue Shutters played a small part in one of Gloucester's newest events -- the Run Gloucester roadrace that took place this Sunday morning. The 7-mile race through the streets of Gloucester was organized by Dave McGillivray, technical director of the BAA Boston Marathon, and his team at DMSE Sports. The race -- which attacted more that 1000 runners -- passed just a block from the Blue Shutters, but more importantly, Dave's brother Alan and his family stayed at the Shutters this weekend, and after the race Dave's team and Alan's family gathered on our lawn for a post-race celebration - and a family birthday (Dave and Alan and Alan's kids Katie and Matt all had birthdays this weekend). That's Dave in the blue cap; Alan is to his left and Alan's wife Ellen is in the light blue jacket to his right. We're hoping Run Gloucester becomes a new Cape Ann tradition -- and that the Blue Shutters continues to be part of this event.

Send Us Your Photos and See Them Here on Our Beachblog

Cape Ann, Good Harbor Beach and the Blue Shutters are a photographers paradise. We've seen some fantastic photos taken by our guests -- and now, we have a better way to share them with you...right here. Just this week, we've posted a few photos from the Roy family (their latest is here - s sunrise shot from a few days ago). We're asking all of you who have passed through the Blue Shutters to send us your photos (email works well -- you can send them to us at info@blueshuttersbeachside.com), and we'll do our best to showcase them.

A Word About Family Gatherings at the Blue Shutters Beachside

Some of our best days at the Blue Shutters are those spent with families who come here as a gathering place. That was the case this past week, when we have four family groups here, including the "Roy girls" (that's them in the photo) and the Wood clan, now in their third year at the Shutters. There were two other groups who came here for weddings -- bringing together family members from as far away as San Francisco and the Carolinas. There have been dozens of stories like this -- and in all cases, they'll tell you the Blue Shutters is the perfect backdrop for a family reunion (this can be even more fun in the off-season, when these groups can take over most of the entire inn. Call or email us and we'll help you plan your family gathering here at the Blue Shutters.

A New Look for the Blue Shutters Beachblog Diary

A few months back, we started adding pictures to our Beachblog Diary, and today we introduce a new look, incorporating the blue hues of the ocean and sky that guests of the Blue Shutters enjoy when they settle into the comfy sofas in our main room and gaze out at Good Harbor Beach. We hope this helps you remember those days.

You Beachlovers Are In Luck....A Few Rooms Finally Open Up at the Blue Shutters

This coming week a few rooms open up at the Blue Shutters -- the first availabilities since the beginning of July. Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy another day or two at the beach -- the weather in the week ahead promises to be great. Call us today and make your reservation -- then grab your sunglasses, pail and shovel and head to the sandy shores of Good Harbor Beach.

Events, Activities Heat Up Summer on Cape Ann

Here's an article from the Blue Shutters e-newsletter, spotlighting events and activities coming up this summer around Cape Ann:

This has been the busiest year we can remember for events around Cape Ann -- and some of the best is yet to come.

Our guests raved about the Farmer's Market, the Manchester Arts Festival, St. Peter's Fiesta, the downtown block parties and the July 4th festivities -- and the fun will continue through late August and into September.

The Farmers' Market continues each Thursday afternoon throughout the summer -- at a new location on Rogers Street across from the Topside Restaurant.

The Gloucester Waterfront Festival returns to Stage Fort Park on August 14 and 15.

Cape Ann welcomes a new event on August 22 -- the "Run Gloucester Road Race" -- which will pass through the streets near the Blue Shutters.

On Labor Day weekend, the Schooner Festival sets sail (that's the Blue Shutters' own AnnMarie Comer and Patty Sapienza aboard one of Gloucester's most famous schooners, the Thomas Lannon, in the photo above).


Check out the Cape Ann Vacations website for more details on these and other summer events.

And remember, there's no better way to enjoy these events and activities than to stay at the Blue Shutters. We're just minutes away from all the fun -- and we're here at the end of the day to help you relax and recharge.

Don't wait too long -- there are just a few openings here at the Shutters now through the end of summer.

Snapshots from the Blue Shutters Guest Comments Book

We always enjoy thumbing through the guest book located in the main room of the Blue Shutters -- and every once in a while, we like to share some of these comments with you. Here are a few excerpts, taken from late 2009 and early 2010:

"What a wonderful place to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Thank you for making it so special." Bryan and Janine (that's them with thier kids in the photo to the right)

"Thank you for making this dream come true! Renee & Conor

"What fun we had by this beautiful inn by the sea -- you are all great innkeepers!"

"Thank you so much for this 3-day stay in paradise!" Taylor

"The rooms are great and the beds are very comfortable. I loved the place and the great view. Can't wait until we come again."

"Another amazing weekend! Always fun and interesting people." Paula