Above: The World Championship of Skimboarding returns to Dewey Beach for its 42nd year Aug. 9-11. Photo: VisitSouthernDelaware.com.
By Amy Watson Bish
Photos courtesy: Rehoboth Art League, Schellville, Freeman Arts Pavilion, VisitSouthernDelaware.com
For those who need added incentive to head for the ocean this summer — we know, few need added incentive — following is a roundup of major events set for this summer at the Delaware beaches.
12th Annual Dewey Arts & Fun Fest
Saturday, May 11 | Dickinson Street, Bayside Dewy Beach
This annual outdoor art festival features more than 40 vendors offering art and handcrafted items, plus live music, children’s activities and more. It’s an ideal opportunity to pick out a unique gift for Mother’s Day.
— Visit DeweyBusinessPartnership.com
Rehoboth Art’s League annual Art Festival
Rehoboth Arts Festival
Saturday, May 18 | Grove Park, Rehoboth Beach
Collectors from across the Mid-Atlantic are drawn to this annual arts festival featuring more than three dozen local artists showcasing and selling their work. The festival is presented by Rehoboth Art League and the City of Rehoboth Beach.
— Visit RehobothArtLeague.org
Bethany Beach Poseidon Festival
May 24-26 | Downtown Bethany Beach
The unofficial start of summer kicks off with this three-day fun festival that celebrates the sea and prepares the community for potential coastal emergencies. Musical groups include both 3-Hour Tour and Entrain on Saturday, and the U.S. Navy Band’s Country Current on Sunday. The weekend also includes pirates and mermaids, a costume parade, luau show, and marine-based educational activities. All events are free and sponsored by the Town of Bethany Beach.
— Visit TownOfBethanyBeach.com
Dashboard Confessional with Special Guest Taylor Acorn
Thursday, May 30 | Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach
American rock band, Dashboard Confessional, takes the Bottle & Cork stage ahead of their fall tour, supported by country-rock artist Taylor Acorn. Led by Chris Carrabba, the group is known for songs such as “Vindicated,” “Don’t Wait” and “Screaming Infidelities.”
— Visit BottleAndCork.com
17th Annual Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival
June 1 & 2 | Lewes Historical Society, Lewes
Close to 70 regional and local sea glass and coastal-themed artists will feature everything from jewelry and home décor to sculptures and paintings. Bring your favorite pieces of sea glass and learn its history, walk through an amazing collection of sea glass on display, or observe one of the glass-blowing demonstrations offered throughout the weekend. Live music, food, children’s activities, and educational exhibits will also be available.
— Visit HistoricLewes.org
A view from the Rehoboth boardwalk on Fourth of July.
Coastal Delaware Restaurant Week
June 2-7 | Coastal Delaware
Coastal Delaware Restaurant Week is one of the premier dining events in Delaware. Dozens of the area’s finest restaurants showcase their talents and give diners an opportunity to sample the best cuisine Coastal Delaware has to offer. A portion of the proceeds benefits local first responder groups, including Rehoboth and Dewey Beach Police Departments, Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Home of the Brave, and Tunnels to Towers. Diners wil enjoy menu discounts or prix-fixe menus at restaurants in Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Lewes, and Coastal Delaware. Visit the website below for a full list of participating restaurants.
— Visit CulinaryCoastRestaurantWeek.com
Patti laBelle & Gladys Knight
Thursday, June 6 | Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville
Soul legends Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight come together for a captivating evening of timeless hits including “Lady Marmalade,” “You are My Friend,” “I Heard it Through the Grapevine” and “Every Beat of My Heart.”
— Visit FreemanArts.org
Sunrise Fest: Rhythm & Rhinestones
Saturday, June 8 | Schellville, Rehoboth Beach
Dress in your most sparkly summer outfit and get ready to shine at Schellville’s newest event featuring music, food trucks, local artisans, summer sledding on their tubing hill and more. And you’ll no doubt be dazzled with the live performances by contestants from this season of NBC’s The Voice — Julie Roome, Karen Waldrup and Delaware’s own Olivia Rubini.
— Visit SunriseFestDe.com
Rehoboth Beach Pride Film Festival
June 14-16 | Cinema Art Theater, Lewes
The Rehoboth Beach Film Society, in partnership with CAMP Rehoboth, presents this annual film festival spotlighting a diverse range of documentaries, features, and a series of shorts to celebrate cinema and National PRIDE month.
— Visit RehobothFilm.com
33rd Annual Lewes Garden Tour
Saturday, June 15 | Lewes
Take a self-guided tour of several select private gardens throughout Lewes, plus enjoy a food tent and Garden Market in Zwaanendael Park with garden-related items for sale during the hours of the tour. Sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.
— Visit LewesChamber.com
Schellville’s Lookout Music & Arts Festival.
2nd Annual Lookout Music & Arts Festival
June 22 & 23 | Schellville, Rehoboth Beach
Two days of outdoor fun, live music, art, food and beverages at Schellville. The festival will host three bands per day on the main stage, family-friendly activities, local artisans, plus much more!
— Visit SchellBrothers.com/Promotions/Schellville
Sara Evans
Sunday, June 23 | Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach
Over the last two decades, Evans has carved out a successful career anchored by her insightful songwriting and warm, evocative voice. With such enduring hits as “Suds in the Bucket,” “A Real Fine Place to Start,” “Perfect” and “A Little Bit Stronger,” she’s earned recognition as the fifth-most-played female artist on country radio and continues to be a force on the road with tour dates crisscrossing the country.
— Visit BottleAndCork.com
Now celebrating its 44th year; Starboard Restaurant’s Annual Running of the Bulls.
Annual Running of the Bull
Saturday, June 29 | The Starboard, Dewey Beach
Every year hundreds of people gather at The Starboard dressed in red bandannas to celebrate, then parade through the streets of Dewey, then onto the beach where they are chased by “the bull” (two people in bull costume) for several blocks. The chase concludes with a bullfight played out at the Starboard, followed by festivities into the night. Proceeds benefit the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company.
— Visit TheStarboard.com
A masterpiece from the annual Sandcastle Contest
44th Annual Sandcastle Contest
Saturday, July 6 | Towers Road Ocean Beach, Rehoboth Beach
From mermaids and dolphins, to pyramids and traditional castles, admire sand creations by teams and individuals at this annual event hosted by the Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.
— Visit SouthernDelaware.com
74th Annual Cottage Tour
July 9 & 10 | Select homes around Rehoboth Beach (TBA)
The Rehoboth Art League’s popular self-paced tour features select homes in the Rehoboth Beach area with a variety of landscapes, interior and architectural designs, ranging from historically significant to contemporary and sleek. Some homes have quite an evolving history and many homeowners showcase memories, artwork, and collections in creative ways. As parking can be limited, the Art League provides a shuttle service to each location for ticket holders.
— Visit RehobothArtLeague.org
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Monday, July 15 | Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville
Grammy-nominated New Orleans icon Trombone Shorty and his bandmates always give an explosive performance that blurs the lines between funk, soul, R&B, and psychedelic rock.
— Visit FreemanArts.org
The Struts with Special Guest Barns Courtney
Tuesday, July 30 | Bottle & Cork, Dewey Beach
Platinum-selling Brit glam rockers The Struts return to the Bottle & Cork with their Pretty Vicious tour. Supported by velvet-edge punk rocker Barns Courtney, the new tour serves as a celebration of the journey so far between The Struts and their beloved and ever-loyal Strutters.
— Visit BottleAndCork.com
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 unforgettable 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
The World Championship of Skimboarding
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 more than 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. Features live music, food, art, and giveaways.
— Visit AlleyOopSkim.com
Grace Potter
Grace Potter
Wednesday, August 6 | Freeman Arts Pavilion, Selbyville
The Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist returns to the Freeman stage to treat audiences to an evening of hits and favorites.
— Visit FreemanArts.org
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, special presentations and more.
— Visit VisitSouthernDelaware.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 the proceeds benefit American Legion Post 28.
— Visit ShoreSmokeSeasonings.com
