Above: Lewes Beach at sunset. Photo courtesy VisitSouthernDelaware.com.
By Amy Watson Bish
Summer may be winding down, but there’s still plenty of fun to be had at and around the beaches. Here’s a rundown of events and festivals happening in August and September.
Rock of Ages
Through August 31 | Clear Space Theatre Company, Rehoboth Beach
Rock of Ages takes you back to the time of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair! This Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical features the hits of bands including Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister and more.
— Visit ClearSpaceTheatre.org
51st Annual Outdoor Fine Art & Fine Craft Show
August 3 & 4 and August 10 & 11 | Henlopen Acres, Rehoboth Beach
The Rehoboth Art League’s signature summer event features more than 100 artists and artisans from around the country displaying and selling their fine art and fine crafts. This event is full of activities, including food, live music, artist demonstrations, gallery exhibits, beautiful gardens, the historic Peter Marsh Homestead, and a Dogfish Head Beer Garden.
— Visit RehobothArtLeague.org
Chase Matthew
Sunday, August 4 | Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach
Named a HITS Magazine “One to Watch,” Chase Matthew is one of Nashville’s hottest newcomers known for his infectious personality, rowdy live shows and authentic, relatable music.
— Visit BottleAndCork.com
Grace Potter
Wednesday, August 6 | Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville
The Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist will treat audiences to an evening of hits and new favorites. Described by Spin as “one of the greatest living voices in rock today,”
— Visit FreemanArts.org
42nd Annual Zap Pro/Am World Championship of Skimboarding
August 9-11 | McKinley Street, Dewey Beach
Known as the skimboarding capital of the East Coast, Dewey Beach has hosted one of the longest running skimboarding competitions for over four decades. Watch and cheer on top skimboarders from around the globe as they compete to earn the title of the best in the world. Presented by Alley-Oop & Skim USA, this three-day, all-ages event also features live music, food, art, and giveaways.
— Visit AlleyOopSkim.com
Delaware Seafood Festival
Saturday, August 10 | American Legion Post 28, Millsboro
Shore Smoke Seasonings hosts this inaugural event featuring steamed seafood, beer tents, craft vendors, live music, kids zone and more. Local restaurants will also battle it out in a crab cake competition. A portion of proceeds will be donated to the American Legion Post 28.
— Visit ShoreSmokeSeasonings.com
27th Annual Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival
Saturday, August 10 | Ross Mansion, Seaford
Each year this free, outdoor multicultural festival attracts thousands of visitors to celebrate African-American and Pan-African arts, history, and culture in a family-friendly atmosphere. The day includes live music, cultural foods, exhibits and more.
— Visit VisitSouthernDelaware.com
Old Crow Medicine Show
Sunday, August 18 | Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville
One of the most potent and influential forces in American roots music, two-time Grammy Award-winning band Old Crow Medicine Show will play the Freeman stage in support of their Grammy-nominated album, Jubilee, which celebrates the group’s 25th anniversary.
— Visit FreemanArts.org
2nd Annual Shuck Cancer 5K
Saturday, August 18 | Big Oyster Brewery, Lewes
Lace up your sneakers and run to help fight cancer. Proceeds from the event go to Fighting Pretty, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help women battling cancer feel strong and beautiful. After the race, runners will enjoy a fun after-party at Big Oyster Brewery.
— Visit FusionRaceTiming.com
Celebration on the Broadkill
Saturday, August 24 | Milton Memorial Park, Milton
A trifecta of annual events the whole family will enjoy. Cheer on the canoe and kayak teams in the Irish Eyes Broadkill River Race; shop from over 35 local vendors selling art, crafts, and food at Bargains on the Broadkill; and vie for cash prizes in the Great Rubber Duck Race.
— Visit HistoricMilton.com
Allen Stone and His Band: A Bit of Everywhere Tour
Monday, September 2 | Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach
The soul/R&B powerhouse, whose sound has been compared to that of Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye, has thrilled audiences the world over with his dynamic live performances. His genre-defying style, blending funk, gospel, folk-rock, and soul, has garnered critical acclaim and a devoted following.
— Visit BottleAndCork.com
46th Annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival
Saturday, September 7 | Downtown Bethany Beach
Soak up the last of bits of summer on Bethany’s boardwalk at this annual show featuring jewelry, glass, pottery, paintings, photography, woodworking and more by over 100 juried artists.
— Visit BethanyBeachArtsFestival.com
46th Annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow
September 7 & 8 | Hudson Fields, Milton
This two-day powwow features intertribal Native American dancers and an expansive market of authentic Native American art, crafts, jewelry, food, the Southern Delaware Hot Rod Car Show and more. The Nanticoke Indian Powwow is an experience not to be missed, connecting the public to ancient Native American traditions and cultures and to each other.
— Visit NanticokeIndians.org
Festival Hispano de Georgetown
Sunday, September 15 | Downtown Georgetown
Celebrate Hispanic cultural heritage with a day filled with music and dance, arts and crafts, and of course delicious traditional food with an emphasis on Latino dishes.
— Visit HispanicFest.FestivalHispano.org
Riverwalk Freedom Festival
Saturday, September 21 | Downtown Milford
Hosted by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Milford and Milford Parks & Recreation, the Riverwalk Freedom Festival is the town’s largest outdoor festival. The free event features live music, beer garden, food trucks, car show, pet parade, kids’ activities & games, vendors, and ends with a bang with fireworks at dusk.
— Visit MilfordChamber.com
8th Annual History Book Festival
September 27-29 | Downtown Lewes
Discover historical fiction and nonfiction at this annual festival — the first and only in the country solely devoted to history — featuring presentations and discussions by well-known and emerging authors, book sales and signings and more. The festival opens with Keynote speaker Jodi Picoult (By Any Other Name), and closes with Tiya Miles (Night Flyer: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People).
— Visit HistoryBookFestival.org
