Summer has officially begun at the Delaware beaches.
Now come the days you can watch the sunrise over the Atlantic Ocean and spend the entire day on the beach, reapplying sunscreen and eating packed lunches or venturing up to a snack bar, leaving only to watch the sunset over the inland bays. There’s no sleep like the sleep you get after that kind of day, sandy, sunkissed and smiling.
But there are rainy days, even weeks, like this one is turning out to be. They call for card games, novels, shopping at Tanger Outlets, going to The Movies at Midway or Shell We Bounce. Chances are, when you come out, the rain will have passed.
Delaware Online/The News Journal publishes this weekend guide to the Delaware beaches all summer. Check back on Thursdays to find out everything you need to know, whether you’re a local or a tourist.
Weather
The National Weather Service predicts a chance of showers or thunderstorms Thursday through Tuesday at the Delaware beaches.
However, storms can come and go quickly in the summer. Saturday is predicted to be partly sunny and Sunday mostly sunny, both with the chance of rain at 40%.
More:As Tropical Storm Bret becomes hurricane, Delaware will see rain — but not from this storm
If precipitation falls, enjoy it. The temperature will still be near 80 and the sun will be out again soon enough. Of course, if there’s thunder and lightning, get indoors until it passes.
Things to do
Juneteenth celebrations are continuing this weekend. The Lewes African-American Heritage Commission will host Juneteenth Freedom Day at George H.P. Smith Park from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday (rain date: Sunday), with food, vendors, dancers and live music. There’s no cost to enter.
More:Fun at Delaware beaches: 19 can’t-miss events downstate this summer
There are some great local entertainment venues at the Delaware beaches. Here are a few of their offerings to check out this weekend.
- Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville. Saturday night’s Grand Funk Railroad is sold out, but there are still some tickets available to see 1980’s rock greats Cheap Trick Sunday. There’s also magician Ran’D Shine at 10 a.m. Saturday.
- Milton Theatre in Milton. Dueling pianists Flying Ivories will play Friday night. There are two showings of “Beginnings: A Celebration of the Music of Chicago” on Saturday and “Music Men and Broadway Broads,” described as “the ultimate celebrity impersonator comedy show,” is at 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
- Dickens Parlor Theatre in Ocean View. Magician Mystique will perform Friday and Saturday night.
- Clearspace Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach. Their summer season doesn’t begin until June 27, but check out this year’s lineup: “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Kinky Boots,” “Spongebob: The Musical” and more.
As always, all the beach towns offer some sort of free entertaiment – live music, moves, bonfires – every week. Check their websites for details.
Beach replenishment
Beach replenishment is ongoing at the Delaware beaches this year. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is dredging sand offshore, piping it to the beaches and spreading it out to prevent beach erosion and allow for recreation.
Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach and Fenwick Island have been completed and now have much wider beaches. Work continues at Bethany Beach and South Bethany, where portions of the beach will be closed at times.
Unfortunately, Bethany Beach decided to cancel their July 4 fireworks this year due to beach replenishment. Already making your own fireworks plans? We’ve got all the details here.
Surf-fishing changes
We make this public service announcement weekly: If you’re planning to drive onto the Delaware beaches to surf-fish this summer, there have been some major changes you need to be aware of.
Walk-on surf-fishing requires only a fishing license. Drive-on surf-fishing requires a permit, available at most state park offices. On weekends and holidays, it also requires a reservation.
More:Have you seen it? Leatherback sea turtle in danger of drowning off coast of Fenwick Island
For $4 per vehicle per day, reservations can be made at www.destateparks.com/surftagsales. The online system opens Tuesdays for Saturday reservations, Wednesdays for Sunday reservations and Thursdays for holidays. The system is open 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on weekends and holidays.
The website shows the number of spaces left at each drive-on beach, so if your first choice is booked, there’s likely another beach with space still available.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught
