Check Out Delaware’s Super Summer Festivals!

It’s easy to see why Delawareans flock to festivals. From New Castle through Kent County, continuing on South to the beaches in Sussex festivals are a big part of life in the 1st State.  Have a look below at some of our favorites and if you still need more things to occupy your active adult time, check out the Calendar of Events on our website.

JUN 21–25  The Annual DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival

FREE in Wilmington, Delaware where we celebrate the music in memory of our very own jazz great, Clifford Brown, each and every summer. This year, the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival lineup will fill Rodney Square with jazz music including these two special events. Thursday, June 23: Sax in the City, which is an annual fundraiser that benefits many of the cultural events and festivals that happen in Wilmington throughout the summer. Tickets for this event are $25 and can be purchased right from the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival website. Friday, June 24: The Block Party between 8th and 10th on Market Street. Attending is free and there will also be lots of food, beer, and wine vendors in the area. Read more on our Blog at http://blog.activeadultsdelaware.com/2016/05/27/2016s-clifford-brown-jazz-festival/

JUN 25-26  New Castle County Ice Cream Festival at Rockwood

Experience family fun for children of all ages at Delaware’s Largest Family Picnic… the New Castle County Ice Cream Festival at Rockwood Park. Featuring vendors, live music, local restaurants, crafters and local creameries serving the region’s best ice creams, you won’t want to miss this! For more information,  call 302-690-5555 or visit http://rockwoodicecream.com/

JUN 25-26  Mid-Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival

JUL 8-9  22nd Annual Nanticoke Riverfest

The 22nd Annual Nanticoke Riverfest in Seaford will be held on Friday & Saturday, July 8th and 9th. It’s “Boot Scootin’ on the Nanticoke.” The annual event will feature the famous “Float-In” where hundreds of folks, donned with various types of inflatables, take to the Nanticoke River and float toward the event location. Also featured will be the annual Duck Dash, Canoe & Kayak races along the Nanticoke River, Little and Junior Miss Riverfest contest, the annual Car Show plus check out the Artist Alley and the dozen of other vendors throughout the Downtown area. Compete for the “Hidden Idol” plus the always popular Downtown Seaford Treasure Map. http://www.nanticokeriverfest.com/

JUL 21-30  2016 Delaware State Fair

Today, the Kent and Sussex County Fair is now known as the Delaware State Fair and boasts attendance of over 307,000. As it exists today, the nearly 300 acre fairground encompasses several businesses including The Centre Ice Rink and the Harrington Raceway and Casino. Despite the awesome trend of bringing dynamic entertainers and a thrilling carnival, the Fair maintains its roots in agriculture. And every year the Fair continues its tradition of being “Bigger and Better Than Ever.”at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington. For more information and ticket availability, visit http://www.delawarestatefair.com/

JUL 30  People’s Festival – 4Peace Tribute to Bob Marley

Before he became an icon, Bob Marley lived with his mother in Wilmington, Delaware working as a lab assistant at DuPont and on the line at the Chrysler plant. Today, his legacy is celebrated every year at the Annual Peoples’ Festival 4 Peace Tribute to Bob Marley, where artists jam on two stages in Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park, and attendees wander between the Drum Circle, Children’s Village and International Food Court. For more information visit http://www.peoplesfestival.com/

 AUG 5-7  Riverfront Blues Festival

One amazing 3day, outdoor blues festival held on the Wilmington waterfront. The 2016 Riverfront Blues Festival brings the best of the blues to Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park in Wilmington. This annual Wilmington tradition is a outdoor music fest held on the historic Wilmington riverfront. The festival has featured many memorable performances from notable blues artists like Koko Taylor, Pinetop Perkins and Elvin Bishop. The 2016 Riverfront Blues Festival lineup will be announced soon, so check the website http://riverfrontbluesfestde.com/ for more information and the festival lineup.

AUG 6 BocceFest 2016 at 16 Mile Brewery

Nothing beats a day of bocce, craft beer and live music on the grounds of the 16 Mile Brewery in Georgetown, DE. Join Major League Bocce at 16 Mile Brewery on Saturday, August 6th for BocceFest 2016. BocceFest will include serious bocce competition, $4 craft beer drafts, live music and game-day t-shirts for all registered participants. Create a team of 4, or sign up without a team and let Major League Bocce match you up with new bocce friends. The Live Music Line Up will rock this year with Black Dog Alley (back for 2016), a blues and rock trio; and funky Movin’ and Groovin’, from Rehoboth Beach. Additional bands to be announced. For more information, visit http://www.playboccefest.com/

AUG 20  Middletown Olde-Tyme Peach Festival

9am-4pm. A Bit of Sweetness at the end of the Summer, the 2016 Middletown Peach Festival draws 30K people with local artists, entertainment for the kids and a peach pie contest. Beginning at 9am with the annual Peach parade on Broad Street, many of the activities are centered around Main Street. Entertainment is scheduled throughout the day around town.  There are activities for children, a local artist exhibit, historical exhibits, a peach pie contest, crafts, music, food, games, and of course – Peaches!  The Peach Festival is a rain-or-shine event! For more information, visit http://www.middletownpeachfestival.com/

AUG 27-28  The Big August Quarterly

With over 200 years of history, the Big August Quarterly is the nation’s oldest African-American festival celebrating the freedom of speech, the freedom of religion and rights of all people to peacefully assemble. Once an important part of the Underground Railroad system, the August Quarterly remains a festival of reunions and religious revival for people for families and friends and is held throughout Wilmington. Share the heritage, music, crafts, singing, stage performances, children events, storytelling, vendors, food arts, African clothing, books and national known recording artists. Visit http://www.augustquarterly.org/ or call 302-655-5231 for more information.

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