Festivals, 4th of July and more: A guide to events at the Delaware beaches this summer
There is so much to do at the Delaware beaches in the summertime.
Most towns have weekly outdoor concerts. The Freeman Arts Pavilion, the Milton Theatre, Clear Space Theatre and Dickens Parlour Theatre have entertainment almost daily. Then there are the dozens of festivals, concerts and other events that are happening everywhere, all the time. It's tough to find time to go to the beach.
All the major events at the Delaware beaches this summer, the ones you want to mark your calendar for, are listed below. It all started Memorial Day weekend, climaxes on the Fourth of July and stays strong through Labor Day.
Here's what you need to know.
Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
Saturday, June 1, and Sunday, June 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
110 Shipcarpenter St., Lewes
Close to 70 sea glass and ocean artisans are featured at this Lewes Historical Society events, as well as lectures, a children’s educational area, glass shard ID experts, live music, food and historic interpreters. Admission is $10, with children under 12 free.
Bethany Beach Seaside Craft Show
Bethany Beach boardwalk
Saturday, June 1, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Dozens of fine artisans sell their wares on the Bethany Beach boardwalk.
Old Timer's Day
Church Street, Selbyville
Saturday, June 15, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Old Timer's Day is a free family festival and car show with over 100 vehicles. Also featured are music, an outdoor beer garden, local artisans, food and family activities.
Running of the Bull
Saturday, June 29, 9 a.m.
The Starboard, 2009 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach
The Running of the Bull is a goofy, fun tradition held by the iconic Starboard bar in Dewey Beach, in which people gather to chase a guy in a bull costume down Route 1 and the beach. Alcohol is usually involved. It's something you should see at least once.
Fourth of July
The Fourth of July is always a big celebration at the Delaware beaches. Here's what's happening in each town.
Lewes: Lewes's festivities start Thursday, July 4, at 9 a.m. with old-fashioned children's games on Second Street. At 1:30 p.m., the boat parade will begin on the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. The Doo-Dah Parade, which traditionally has no exact start time, will happen sometime in the afternoon, making a loop from Lloyd's Market to Kings Highway to Savannah Road. Fireworks over the bay start at dusk.
Rehoboth Beach: Fireworks over the Atlantic are set for Saturday, July 6, at dusk. Festivities begin at 8 p.m. at the bandstand.
Dewey Beach: Highway One, the company that owns Dewey bars like the Bottle & Cork and northbeach, usually hosts fireworks over Rehoboth Bay at dusk on July 4. They haven't officially announced anything yet, so check in before you go.
Bethany Beach: Bethany Beach's festivities start with a parade downtown at noon July 4. There's a concert on the bandstand at 7:30 p.m., followed by fireworks over the ocean at dusk.
51st annual Outdoor Fine Art & Fine Craft Festival
Rehoboth Beach Art League, 12 Dodds Lane, Rehoboth Beach
Aug. 3, 4, 10 and 11, Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
More than 100 artists and artisans from around the country will display and sell their work, which also features music and food and drink. Entry is $5 per weekend, with children under 12 free.
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OC Air Show
Beachfront, Ocean City, Maryland
Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 24 and 25
This festival is just over the southern Delaware border in Ocean City, Maryland, but it's a spectacular event in which all sorts of aerial performers wow spectators on the beach and boardwalk below. Tickets start at $29.75.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Your guide to major events at the Delaware beaches this summer
