The 11 Best Small-Town Delaware Festivals You’ve Never Heard Of
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Kim Magaraci
Author
Warm weather means festival season is here, and Delaware has a lot more to offer than our famous State Fair, Firefly Festival, Apple Scrapple and Punkin Chunkin! Take a look at these lesser-known festivals that you must add to your calendar – your year wouldn’t be complete without attending each one!
The Mid Atlantic Seaglass Festival features nearly 70 sea glass artists who make crafts, jewelry and household decor with seaglass from the region. They are joined by other coastal artists, who make decoys and beautiful sea art. Vendors come from up and down the coast, and from as far away as the Virgin Islands.
Not only will you love the artwork and jewelry, but the live music and delicious food from vendors make this festival experience unforgettable. Bring your favorite found glass and have experts identify them on-site. If you want to go sea glass hunting, try for the first low tide after a big storm. Admission to the festival is $5 per person each day, children under 12 are free.
Not only will you love the artwork and jewelry, but the live music and delicious food from vendors make this festival experience unforgettable. Bring your favorite found glass and have experts identify them on-site. If you want to go sea glass hunting, try for the first low tide after a big storm. Admission to the festival is $5 per person each day, children under 12 are free.
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The New Castle County Ice Cream Festival is my favorite Delaware festival! It's nicknamed "Delaware's largest family picnic" and takes place at the gorgeous Rockwood Museum & Park. Not only can you grab some of the best ice cream in the state (and double up, like 'Uncle Joe' does every year!) but you'll get to check out some of Delaware's best non-profit organizations, local businesses, artists, and restaurants. Plus, live music is ongoing throughout the weekend.
Admission: $5 for adults & children under 12 are FREE - and they get free ice cream, too!
Admission: $5 for adults & children under 12 are FREE - and they get free ice cream, too!
The Lewes Summer Craft Fair features artists from the Delmarva and Eastern Shore regions. This year, there will be over 70 artists displaying their work! The Lewes Historical Society always puts on incredible events, and this is no exception. Be sure to stop by, and then take some time to explore the charming town of Lewes. For more details about the Summer Craft Fair, call 302-645-7670.
Delaware City Day is a blast - literally! The parade kicks off a day full of street art, vendors, delicious food and food trucks, and the legendary Delaware City Day fireworks round off the night. You'll know if you've missed it, because your social media feed will be filled with photos and videos of the jaw-dropping firework display.
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The Wyoming Peach festival is a tribute to our state's favorite fruit! Did you know that at one time, Delaware was selling and shipping more peaches than anywhere else in the world? There's a reason that our state's official dessert is the peach pie. Check out amazing produce from Fifer Orchards, try some peach pies, and enjoy this old fashioned day of family fun.
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Two peach festivals in one month - am I dreaming? No, I just spend a lot of time in Delaware. The Middletown Peach Festival starts off with a busy and entertaining parade that's worth getting up early for - you'll want a front row seat! Peach Pie eating contests, vendors, crafts and artists then fill the streets for a great time in downtown Middletown.
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The Nanticoke Indian Powwow is the most incredible festival Delaware has to offer. If you've never been, you are really in for a treat. Get a glimpse of the life of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe as they open their world up to the public, teach everyone about their culture, and spread the feeling of love and community to all who attend. The delicious food, historic and entertaining dances and drums, and beautiful music make this one special event.
Delaware State Parks created the Venture Outdoors Fest to engage more young adults with the world around them! With a VFest held every year in the spring and the fall, the weather is beautiful and our gorgeous state parks are on display. This is a great chance to get in touch with your explorer side and see all of the amazing trails and water trails that our state parks have to offer!
Attending the Arden Fair is like stepping into a story book. This enchanting utopian town has created an event (that's been running for over 110 years!) that opens up a magical world to adults and children alike. Kid's games, rides, over 100 craft vendors, antiques, used books, delicious food vendors and live music all light up this tiny village for one day every September.
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Bethany Beach Boardwalk Art Festival is sort of a celebration of the beginning of "local summer"! This is a laid back festival that shows off incredible talent, delicious food, and more every September. You won't find a better display of jewelry, glass, pottery, watercolor and oil painting, photography, basketry, and woodworking anywhere else. The Bandstand, Boardwalk and Street Festival areas of downtown Bethany Beach swell with more talent than you could possibly imagine, and the scenery here provides the perfect backdrop for this festival.
Calling all musicians or music lovers - three nights of showcases, two days of demo and mentoring sessions, a tradeshow, and industry events - can it get any better? Regardless of whether you're looking to further your music career or just catch some great live music, Dewey Beach is the place to be at the end of September. The intimate and friendly atmosphere of the Dewey Beach Music Conference makes this one of the best places to chat up industry professionals, catch shows, and attend events like cruises on the bay or parties at the outdoor beach clubs.
All of these festivals just prove that even though Delaware is a small state, we have so much to offer! Feel free to share this with your friends who say that Delaware’s boring – along with sharing a list of the other 11 Foolproof Ways To Make Someone From Delaware Cringe.
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