The official start of summer is right around the corner.
Much of the Delaware beaches have been replenished, and there are now wide stretches of sand to sunbathe and play on. Most of the beach towns have free live music on the weekends to entertain you. Farmer’s markets are in full swing. And so is traffic.
Sunday is Father’s Day. There’s plenty of shopping to be had at Tanger Outlets and the downtown boutiques if you still need a gift, but Dad might better appreciate an afternoon of orange crushes or locally brewed beer.
If you’re at the Delaware beaches this weekend, slow down. The number of traffic fatalities goes up in the summer.
Leave plenty of extra time to get wherever you need to go. Watch out for pedestrians and cyclists. Don’t block the box. Wear your seat belt. Stay alive.
Delaware Online/The News Journal provides a weekend guide to the Delaware beaches every week, all summer long, for tourists and visitors alike. The status of beach replenishment, weather, not-to-miss events, traffic, any news items you need to be aware of − it’s all here.
Summertime safety:Summer brings increase in traffic fatalities. Will Delaware’s plan make a difference?
Weather
Last weekend’s weather was near perfect. The smoky haze from the Canadian wildfires cleared just in time for Saturday’s beachgoers.
The National Weather Service predicts this weekend will be just as nice. After a chance of storms Friday night, Saturday and Sunday should be sunny with temperatures in the upper 70s.
The beaches will likely be busy, so again, leave extra time to get where you’re going and expect to spend some time looking for parking.
Where to park:Beach season is near. Here’s your guide to parking at the Delaware beaches for 2023.
Beach replenishment
The Delaware beaches are currently getting some much-needed replenishment.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has already dredged, piped and pumped sand onto Rehoboth and Dewey beaches, making them a lot wider than they were last year.
Now, work is taking place in Fenwick Island and Bethany Beach. Portions of those beaches will be closed at times.
Bethany Beach is slated for completion in late June. Fenwick Island will likely be completed this weekend, according to Army Corps of Engineers spokesman Stephen Rochette, and the dredgers will then move to South Bethany.
Enjoy the sand:More sand coming to Delaware beaches faster. Schedule moved up as another dredger arrives.
Things to do
Many of this weekend’s events are happening inland.
The 66th annual Old Timers’ Day Classic Car Show & Family Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Church Street in Selbyville on Saturday. It features live music, food, vendors, a beer garden, a car show and children’s activities. Get more info at oldtimersdayde.com.
For the younger folks, East Coast Garden Center, off Route 24 in Millsboro, will host a Touch-A-Truck day Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Delaware State Parks are open and ready for visitors all summer long. However, any minute now, the mosquitoes and flies are going to be showing up en masse. This time of year is a great time for your hiking, biking and kayaking − before bug spray becomes an absolute necessity.
Surf-fishing
Delaware made some big changes to its surf-fishing rules this year.
If you’re walking onto a surf-fishing beach, you need only a fishing license. If you’re driving on, you need a surf-fishing permit. They’re available at most state park offices.
If you’re driving on during a weekend or holiday, you also need a reservation, which you can make at www.destateparks.com/surftagsales. It’s $4 per vehicle per day. The online system opens the Tuesday prior for Saturday reservations, Wednesday for Sunday reservations and Thursday for holiday reservations.
The system opens at 11 a.m. and closes at 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and on weekends and holidays, it’s open 8 a.m. to noon.
Last weekend, the Cape Henlopen State Park drive-on beaches and Delaware Seashore State Park’s 3R’s beach sold out, according to Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control spokesperson Michael Globetti.
Fishing information:What to know as Delaware’s surf-fishing reservation system launches ahead of Memorial Day
There was availability all weekend at the rest of the Delaware Seashore State Park beaches, Fenwick Island State Park beaches and Beach Plum Island, Globetti said. The reservation system shows you which beaches still have availability at any given time.
Don’t forget: Reservations must be printed and displayed in your vehicle.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @Marvel McNaught.
