Junebugs, Biden and the heat: This weekend's guide to the Delaware beaches
With the Fourth of July behind us, we are now in peak summer at the Delaware beaches.
Hordes of tourists hurrying to relax and locals just trying to get to work on time won't be the only ones traveling to the beach towns this weekend — President Joe Biden is scheduled for a visit, too. Traffic is sure to be as heavy as ever, so plan accordingly. Additionally, police are trying to reign in Junebugs, so parents, keep your teens in check.
Don't forget to look at the big picture, though. What's a little traffic when you've got miles of beautiful beaches to enjoy, quaint downtowns to explore and an endless array of dining, shopping and entertainment?
Read on for everything you need to know if you'll be in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach or Fenwick Island this weekend.
Weather
We're simply out of heat puns. It's July. It's really hot. Stay hydrated and stay in the shade.
Temperatures are expected to be in the 80s through Sunday at the Delaware beaches, but we may get to see some of the rain we so desperately need.
There's a 50% chance of storms Thursday, likely in the morning, according to the National Weather Service. Rain overnight and into Friday is likely, as well, with an 80% chance of rain Friday.
Saturday has a 70% chance of rain, clearing overnight. Sunday is your best bet for a beach day, with a sunny forecast.
More: Looking to beat the heat? Here are 6 cool places to go with kids during the heat wave
Do you know where your Junebug is?
"Junebugs" is a locals' term for the teens who show up at the Delaware beaches in the summertime, too young for the bars but too old to always be accompanied by parents. These teens often gather in large numbers on downtown streets.
Dewey Beach in particular struggles with Junebugs. There was a big increase in "nuisance calls" last week, the Dewey Beach Police Department said in a Facebook post, for things like underage drinking, drinking in public, urinating in public and loitering.
The post reminded parents of Dewey Beach's curfew of 11 p.m. for anyone younger than 18. Parents who "knowingly permit" their child to be in public after 11 p.m. may be issued a violation.
"This curfew gets underage teens off the street prior to the closing of bars and restaurants and allows the Police Department to focus our efforts on dealing with the uptick of fights and disorderly behavior during closing time," the post said.
"We strongly encourage residents and business owners to report any incidents promptly and assist us in identifying those responsible for disruptive behavior," the post said. "Your participation in neighborhood watch programs and your willingness to provide information are invaluable in maintaining a safe community."
Appeals from police aren't the only reason to keep kids home at night. Last week, just after closing time, one man was stabbed and another suffered severe facial injuries at Northbeach bar and restaurant in Dewey. In Rehoboth, police recently announced a juvenile had been charged with raping another juvenile on the beach after dark in June.
The Biden effect in Delaware
Delaware's favorite son, President Joe Biden, will head to his Rehoboth Beach-area home Friday, following a campaign event in Detroit, according to the White House's "Week Ahead Guidance." He's scheduled to leave Detroit at 7 p.m., so he likely won't arrive until late.
Sometimes Biden opts to get to Rehoboth by vehicle, usually from Dover Air Force Base. If that happens, police will clear intersections on Coastal Highway and in downtown Rehoboth for the motorcade, resulting in temporary traffic delays.
If he opts to arrive by helicopter, the president will land in the parking lot of Cape Henlopen State Park's Gordons Pond, and the lot will close shortly before his arrival and reopen immediately after. That means entrances to Gordons Pond's beaches and trails will be closed, too.
It's not yet known how long Biden intends to stay in the Rehoboth area. He doesn't usually venture out of his North Shores house when in town, and when he does, it's usually to go to the beach or to bike the Gordons Pond trail. If he decides to go out to eat or anywhere else public, expect more traffic delays.
What to do at the Delaware beaches
The waterparks are sure to be busy this weekend, along with icy-cool movie theaters and arcades.
If you're looking for some live entertainment, check your town's website to get information on free concerts or look into the lineups at local bars. Otherwise, these are your options:
Freeman Arts Pavilion, 31806 Lakeview Drive, near Selbyville, freemanarts.org
Thursday, July 11, 6 p.m., The Disco Biscuits; Friday, July 12, 7 p.m., Rain - A Tribute to The Beatles; Saturday, July 13, 10 a.m., 123 Andres, 7 p.m., ?Movimiento! A Night of Latin Rhythms; Sunday, July 14, 7 p.m., Fitz and the Tantrums.
More: What Maryland's offshore wind project could mean for Delaware and how residents feel
Dickens Parlour Theatre, 31810 Good Earth Lane, Ocean View, dickensparlourtheatre.com
Thursday, July 11, 6:30 p.m., Magician Rich Block; Friday, July 12, 6:30 p.m., Magician Rich Block, 9:30 p.m., The Comedy Tonight Show; Saturday, July 13, 6 p.m., Art of the American Song with Bryan Clark, 8:30 p.m., Magician Rich Bloch; Sunday, July 14, 6:30 p.m., Magician Rich Block.
Clear Space Theatre Company, 20 Baltimore Ave., Rehoboth Beach, clearspacetheatre.org
Thursday, July 11, 7:30 p.m., "Rock of Ages;" Friday, July 12, 7:30 p.m., "The Prom," 10:30 p.m., Signature Cabaret Series; Saturday, July 13, 11 a.m., Saturday Morning Children's Theatre, 7:30 p.m., "The Prom," 10:30 p.m., "Lady Parts" with Sarah Stiles and Liz Larsen; Sunday, July 14, 10:30 p.m., "Lady Parts" with Sarah Stiles and Liz Larsen.
Milton Theatre, 110 Union St., Milton, miltontheatre.com
Thursday, July 11, 6 p.m. Quayside with Lower Case Blues; Friday, July 12, 12 and 2 p.m., "Frozen" Junior Camp Show, 8 p.m., Magnolia Applebottom's "Crazy Cabaret;" Saturday, July 12, 7:30 p.m., Dueling Pianos with Flying Ivories.
Helpful new websites for Bethany Beach-goers
Bethany Beach's lifeguards are the first Delaware beach patrol to use safebeachday.com to offer daily, up-to-the-minute ocean conditions and beach safety updates. Information available on the website includes Bethany Beach surf conditions, storm activity, tides, lifeguards and other safety concerns.
Also available for Bethany Beach visitors is the town's new "Bethany Life" app, not available on any app store but at bethanylife.app. It features information on dining, lodging, things to do, beach rules and the region, as well as emergency alerts.
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: What to know if you're headed to the Delaware beaches this weekend
