There are only three weekends left until Labor Day at the Delaware beaches.
While some are mourning the end of summer, others are already celebrating the arrival of fall. It’s time to get in those last days at the beach and cram in all the summer activities you’ve been delaying. Go to Funland, to Jungle Jim’s. Stroll the boardwalk. Go mini golfing. Take a boat ride with Cape Water Tours. Explore state parks.
All summer long, Delaware Online/The News Journal provides this weekend guide to the Delaware beaches. Read on for everything you need to know about weather, traffic, events and news-to-know this weekend.
Weather and traffic
The weather will be sunny with highs in the 80s this weekend, according to the National Weather Service, on both Saturday and Sunday. The weather gods have blessed the Delaware beaches nearly every weekend this summer, and this weekend is no different.
After spending a weeklong vacation at his North Beach home in late July and early August, President Joe Biden returned last weekend. This weekend, he’ll be in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, so there will be no traffic delays or closures – at least not due to his presence.
There will be a bit of a detour and possibly some traffic in downtown Rehoboth Beach Sunday morning due to the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company’s Fire Fightin’ 5K. The race begins at the fire department at 8 a.m., with runners heading west on Rehoboth Avenue before turning onto Lake Avenue. See the race map here.
More:Ride Champion the horse at Rehoboth Beach’s Funland, inspired by a Hollywood star
Paradise Grill’s uber popular Flounder Pounder Open runs through Sunday, so there will be some extra vehicle traffic in the Long Neck area (particularly, of course, in Pot-Nets Bayside) and boat traffic in Rehoboth Bay. If you’re in the mood to sit at an outdoor bar on the water and watch people get really rowdy about fish (Who isn’t?), check it out.
What to do
Saturday morning, check out Kids’ Day at the Historic Lewes Farmers Market at George H.P. Smith Park from 8 a.m. to noon. There will be games and other activities.
The Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville has a full slate this weekend. Friday night, Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Righteous Brothers will take the stage. On Saturday, “Caribbean-influenced and family-fun” Guava Jelly will play in the morning and Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes in the evening.
Magician Will Fern will perform at Dickens Parlor Theatre in Ocean View Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.
Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth offers a rotating summer repertoire. This weekend, on Friday and Saturday night, check out “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
The Milton Theatre has a packed schedule this weekend as well. Friday night, it’s “Disney Divas Drag Show.” On Saturday, there are two “Beatlemania Now!” shows, at 3 and 8 p.m. Sunday night, “Adrenalize: The Ultimate Def Leppard Experience” will play.
Most of the beach towns offer free entertainment at least one night a week. Check your town’s website for more information.
More:It’s jellyfish season at the Delaware beaches. Types you’ll see and what to do if stung
What to know
Beach closures: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ beach replenishment project and subsequent closures ended last month and there are currently no water quality-related closures.
However, August is the month water quality advisories are most often issued in Delaware. The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control tests all guarded beaches, among others, for Enterococci bacteria, and when levels are above the standard, a water quality advisory is issued.
Enterococci indicates fecal matter in the water and the potential for disease. Above-standard Enterococci levels are usually caused by “wildlife sources and increased rainfall, waves or wildlife feeding near the surf (shorebirds, marine mammals or other warm-blooded animals),” according to the department.
Check in frequently to stay aware of any water quality advisories.
Curfews: Police are enforcing curfews in Bethany and Dewey beaches. In Bethany Beach, the curfew is 11 p.m. for anyone under the age of 18. It’s the same in Dewey, except on Fridays and Saturdays, when the curfew begins at midnight.
Surf-fishing: The new surf-fishing reservation system has been in operation since May, but if it’s your first time back at the Delaware beaches since last year, you may not know.
More:Biting beach flies: There’s little you can do, but here are a few tips
You still need a permit to surf-fish on drive-on beaches, available at most state park offices, but now, if you want to drive on the beaches on a weekend or holiday, you also need a reservation.
Reservations are $4 per vehicle, per day and can be made at www.destateparks.com/SurfTagSales. The online system opens at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays for Saturday reservations and 11 a.m. on Wednesdays for Sunday reservations. Make them as soon as possible. The most popular drive-on beaches will likely sell out.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught
