July 3rd, 2013

FIREWORKS!! Southern Delaware Celebrates the Fourth of July, Concerts, Parades, Fireworks Displays, Dover, Milton, Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach, Ocean City, Maryland, Uptown & Downtown

I am keeping my fingers crossed; the forecast for Southern Delaware is supposed to be good for the all the Fourth of July celebrations that will be taking place at the Delaware Beaches and Ocean City, Maryland.

I am ready.  If you decided to venture to any of the celebrations, please get to the town early and plan on staying awhile.  Do not rush to get out because you won’t be able to.  It takes some time to maneuver the traffic jams.

So, with that said and done….Where Are The Parties?

DOVER – Delaware’s capital has a full schedule of events for the 4th of July, including at 2 p.m. the National Bell-Ringing Ceremony at The Old State House on The Green, joining bells ringing across America’s thirteen original colonies and featuring the reading of the Declaration of Independence!!  Please visit http://www.dover4thofjuly.com. Dover celebrates in a big way with the museums opening, Legislative Hall, Delaware’s State Capitol Building on 411 Legislative Avenue is holding guided tours throughout the day.  Photo ID is required for all adults.  A Historic Dover Scavenger Hunt begins at the Welcome Center at 121 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. North and extends throughout Dover’s Historic sites and museums. Guided tours of The Old State House and the film “Thunder and Rain” about Caesar Rodney’s historic ride for independence at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.  Biggs Museum of American Art on 406 Federal Street is also open.  Kids can create a flag to wave during the fireworks. There is a Divided Dover Walking Tour, a Tales of Slavery and Freedom Walking Tour, and a Dover’s Heroes of the Revolution Walking Tour.  Children’s activities, crafts and food vendors are among the many festivities in Dover.

6 p.m. – Old Fashioned 4th of July Parade.   The route is down State Street, starting at Hazel Rd. and ending just past The Green.

7:45 p.m. – Opening Ceremony with our National Anthem in front of Legislative Hall.

8 p.m – The 287th Army Band of the Delaware National Guard presents a concer of patriotic, pop and other favorites, finishing with Tchaikovsky’s exciting “Overture 1812”, complete with cannon, leading into the fireworks.

9:25 – Fireworks!!  Exploding in the sky over Legislative hall…Musical theme is “Car Tunes”.

MILTON – 4th of July Picnic at Milton Memorial Park…food, family fun, and music.  BBQ Chicken or Fish!  Serving starts at 11 a.m. until 6:30 p.m.  At 3 p.m. Irish Eyes Restaurant Hot Dogs & Hamburgers.  At 3 p.m. there will be field games including a potato sack race, bean bag and water balloon toss!!  Also, at 3 p.m. Lions Club Free Rides on the Clipper Express (donations are appreciated), lemonade and funnel cakes.  At 7 p.m. Foot Light Productions will provide patriotic music for everyone’s enjoyment. Take your lawn chairs, and/or blankets….and bug spray.

LEWES – Historic Lewes celebrates the 4th of July, starting at 9 a.m. with children’s games and activities on Second Street.  All day until 4 p.m.  The Lewes Decorated Boat Parade will start on the canal at 1 p.m.  It will be followed by an awards ceremony at Lightship Overfalls.  The parade will leave from Roosevelt Inlet across from the Coast Guard Station at 1:30 p.m. and reach the judges’ stand at Fisherman’s Wharf at around 2 p.m.

Unregistered entries are invited to join the parade by arriving at Roosevelt Inlet at 1:30 p.m., tuning a VHF radio to channel 65 and then follow instructions.

At 5….ish the Doo-Dah Parade will begin.  It is a fun and spirited parade.  Join in and have fun.  It will start at Manila Ave, travel down Kings Highway to Savannah Rd. and finally head to Second, Market and Third Streets.

REHOBOTH BEACH – The 17th Annual Fireworks Show will begin around 9:15 p.m., near Star of the Sea at 307 S. Boardwalk.  Please get there on time and then stay for the concert because you it will take forever to get out of town.  The Funsters will perform before and after the fireworks at the Bandstand.  You might as well enjoy the music.  You and about 100,000 will enjoy a fantastic display on the beach.  I might have to wait for Kevin Fleming, to put the photos on Facebook.  The weather could play a role on all displays at the beaches, so, check it out.

Shuttle buses going into town will pick up visitors at Rt. 1 near County Bank and at the DART Park & Ride.  Parking for the buses will be available at the grass lot next to County Bank.  Charge for parking is $10 per car, with the proceeds split between the Kiwanis Club and Main Street.

The Jolly Trolley will run a shortened route from 6 to 11:30 p.m.  It will be  between Dewey Beach to Christian Street in Rehoboth behind the Jack Lingo Real Estate office.  The Trolley will pick up and drop off passengers at all regular stops between the Rudder and Robinson Street in Dewey.  Please note that it will only stop at Christian Street in Rehoboth Beach due to Rehoboth Avenue being closed until 11:30 p.m.  Once the Avenue re-opens, the service will continue until 2 p.m.

DEWEY BEACH –  One fireworks display sooooo large, that it might set a record.  How many fireworks can be set off in a 10 minute period?  Well, you have to attend and see for yourselves.  The party starts at 9:15 p.m. off Dickinson Street.  The fireworks will be set off from the waterfront restaurants; Northbeach, Ivy, and Rusty Rudder.

BETHANY BEACH – Don’t miss the celebrations in Bethany Beach.  The theme for this year’s annual event is “Wish You Were Here for Bethany in Bloom”.  Congratulations to Melinda Linde, Grand Marshal, who has made Bethany Beach gorgeous, planting, weeding and maintaining the beautiful flowers and shrubs.

Noon- Festivities will start with the Parade at the intersection of Pennsylvania and Garfield Parkway.  There is no pre-registration for floats and bikers.  Registration will be held Thursday from 9 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  The registration desk for floats will be on Rt. 1 and Central Ave.  The bikes can be registered on the Christian Church grounds adjacent to the Christian Church building.

2 p.m. – Horseshoe-throwing contest at the southwest corner of the Christian Church grounds.

7:15 p.m. – Award ceremony at the Bandstand.

7:30 p.m. – The Milford Community Band performs on the Bandstand.

Dusk – FIREWORKS!!

OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND – Uptown and Downtown – Concerts starting on both locations at 8 p.m., followed by the FIREWORKS!!   Downtown at North Division St. and Uptown at Northside Park on 127th Street.  More info?  Please call 410-250-0125.

SEACRETS – Fireworks will begin at around 9 p.m.  Seacrets is located on 49th Street in Ocean City, Maryland.

OCEAN PINES, MARYLAND – West of Ocean City, Maryland, by a couple of miles….the Fireworks will begin at 9 p.m. at Showell Park on Racetrack Rd!!

Be safe, and have a Great 4th of July!!

July 2nd, 2013

What’s Going On? Out & About, Lewes, Delaware, Activities, Events, Entertainment, The First Town in The First State, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware

Lewes, Delaware, is the perfect coastal town.  It has historic charm, unique coastal flavor, unpretentious, laid-back, plenty of character….and a choice of playgrounds; the bay or the ocean.  Shops and restaurants?  You got it!!

When the other night, my friend, Debbie asked to go and watch a swim meet at the Lewes Yatch Club I immediately accepted.  It was the end of the day.  We hoped to enjoy a sunset, grab something to eat.

It was life in Lewes like any other night.  This historic town is much loved and enjoyed by its residents…but just take a peek at the view…how could you not?

There were hundreds of kids, plenty of cheering and laughter, the University of Delaware research vessel was just coming home after a day out.  And, Debbie and I had our chicken wraps.

Don’t forget to check the gardens that surround historic homes…..they are gorgeous!!

WHAT’S GOING ON LEWES?

CAPE WATER TAXI – ECO TOURS –  OSPREY BANDING –  Cape Water Taxi is what the name implies…a water taxi service.  This week the eco tour takes you to watch how they place identification tags on the osprey chicks before they take off.  This practice does not hurt the birds and it is done to gather information about the birds such as migration patterns. Tours are taking place, Tuesday, 7/2, Wednesday, 7/3, Friday, 7/5, and Monday, 7/8 from Fisherman’s Wharf at 10 a.m.  Well, this is a weather dependent type of activity.  Please call 302-644-7334, or visit http://www.capewatertaxi.com.  And, if you want to take the water taxi to Dewey Beach, from Lewes, and back, it runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, every week-end from June through September, weather permitting.  For the tax service you can either make reservations, online, or just go to the dock at Fisherman’s Wharf in Lewes and hop on.

Tuesday, 7/2 – SUMMER CONCERT SERIES AT STANGO PARK – Overtime Band.  Genre?  Classic Rock.  This is an outdoor concert series, so please check the weather.  Take your chairs, blankets, bug sprays and friends.  Location?  Next to the Lewes Public Library on Kings Highway.  It starts at 7 p.m. on Tuesday evenings.  More info?  302-645-8073.

Tuesday, 7/2 – CINEMA BY THE CANAL –   Movie – Cirque du Soleil:  Worlds Away.  Location?  Canalfront Park.  It is free admission.  This is also an outdoor event, so please check the weather.

Wednesday, 7/3 – ZUMBA WITH KELLY – At Canalfront Park on Front Street.  6 p.m. until 7 p.m.  It takes place every Wednesday and it is free!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY  – Lewes

Thursday, 7/4 – Children’s Activities will take place on Second Street in Downtown Historic Lewes, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.  At 9 a.m. Games and Activities.  At 2 p.m. The Decorated Boat Parade will take place on the Canal with awards taking place afterwards at the Lightship Overfalls.  At 5…ish, the Doo Dah Parade begins.  They say it is infamous, they want you to join in the fun.  It takes to the streets in Lewes.  Jump in if you want to.  No need to register or even plan to attend.  All you need is your own fun spirit and if you have a kazoo, bicycle, wagon, yo-yo, or hula-hoop, bring them on.  The parade route is from Manila Avenue, Kings Highway, Savannah Rd, 2nd Street, market Street, and Third Street.

Friday, 7/5 – HISTORY HAPPY HOUR – 4 p.m. until 5 p.m.  Interesting dialog lead by local history buffs.  The topics can range from the early explorers of the Delaware Bay to Lewes during the Revolutionary War.  On this Friday, William H. J. Manthorpe, Jr. presents “A Century of Service – The Navy at Cape Henlopen 1898 -1996” at the Cannonball House located on Front Street.  It is free, and a glass of wine will be offered at the conclusion of the presentation.

Saturday, 7/6 – LEWES HISTORIC FARMERS MARKET – 8 a.m. until Noon.  Rain or shine.  Location?  Lewes Historical Society grounds on 110 Shipcarpenter St.

Sunday, 7/7 – YOGA AT CANALFRONT PARK – 8 a.m.  Free!!  Start your day with yoga in a beautiful setting.  Location?  Canalfront Park on Front Street.

NOTE:  The Cape Henlopen State Park has daily programs and activities for everyone in the family.  Please check http://www.destateparks.com

Have a Good One!!

September 27th, 2012

Saturday, October 6th, Lewes, Delaware, 17th Annual Boast The Coast, Maritime Festival, Boat Tours, Lewes Historical Society Craft Show, Lewes in Bloom Fall Plant Sale, Historic District Merchants’ Fall Sidewalk Sale, Seafood Tasting at 1812 Park, The Lighted Boat Parade, What a Day!!, Come to Historic Lewes early and Stay Awhile!

Hope you are coming to visit the Delaware Beaches….because, the Second Season is in full swing!!  Historic Lewes, Delaware a packed Saturday, 10/6!!

The Lewes Chamber of Commerce presents the 17th Annual Boast the Coast event that will be taking place in Lewes on Saturday, October 6th.  There will be maritime-themed activities throughout the day and into the evening.

The Boast the Coast activities in 1812 Park and the City Dock, located along Front St. near Canalfront Park Marina, begin at 11:00 a.m.  Other events taking place that day include the Lewes Historical Society Craft Show, the Lewes in Bloom Fall Plant Sale beginning at 9 a.m. and the Historic District Merchants’ Fall Sidewalk Sale from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The Lighted Boat Parade culminates the day’s activities at dusk on the canal.  Lewes Mayor Jim Ford will announce the parade from the judge’s reviewing stand at Fisherman’s Wharf.

The free boat tours at the City Dock, located on Front Street, begin at 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  For the first time, the boat tours will be offered on the newest addition to the Lewes Canal – The Cape Water Taxi.  The taxi will take passengers for a short ride on the canal.  The Lewes Fire Department’s Fire Boat also will be at the City Dock, offering the opportunity to tour their vessel.

A Seafood Tasting  at 1812 Park will part of the festivities of the day.  It will feature specialties priced individually, prepared by numerous chamber-member restaurants.

The much loved, Family Fun Tent, will also be at 1812 Park, featuring entertainment by Flumpa the Tree Frog’s musical show, and Chuckles the Clown’s pirate-themed magic show.

The Lewes Historical Society’s Maritime History museum located in the Cannonball House, located on Front Street, will open from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for free tours featuring their extensive collection reflecting Lewes’ maritime history.

The Lightship Overfalls, berthed in the Canalfront Park on Front Street and designated a National Historic Landmark, will be open for free tours from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Boats participating in the Lighted Boat Parade will leave Roosevelt Inlet around 6:30 p.m. and arrive at the City Dock/Fisherman’s Wharf area around 7 p.m.

The event chairman, Lewes Chamber of Commerce board member, Orville Mills, of George Sherman Corp. will serve as Head Judge and with the other judges will view the Lighted Boat Parade from the deck of one of the boats at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Note:  It does not cost anything for boat owners to enter the parade and all registered boat entries will be eligible for 3 cash prizes.  To register, boat owners can pick up entries at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce visitor center in the Fisher-Martin House next to the Zwaanendale Museum or call 302-645–8073 to have one mailed.  All registrations must be received by Noon, Saturday, October 6th!!

More info?  Please visit http://www.leweschamber.com.

So…make plans because the Delaware Beaches have so much going on this season.