Rehoboth’s July 4th fireworks set to go off July 3

Rehoboth Beach will be the first Cape Region town to host its fireworks this year.

Krys Johnson, city spokeswoman, said fireworks be held Wednesday, July 3. She said the city, in conjunction with the Delaware Department of Transportation and surrounding emergency service providers, collectively decided it was in the best interest of everyone involved to host the fireworks the day before the annual holiday.

“With Lewes, Dewey, Bethany and Ocean City all hosting fireworks July 4, there’s only so many emergency personnel available,” said Johnson. “Safety is the city’s top priority.”

Depending on the weather, the fireworks may be launched any time after 8 p.m., but they are expected to begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. The fireworks take off from the beach south of Rehoboth Avenue.

The city will host entertainment by The Funsters on the Bandstand before and after the fireworks. That show begins at 8 p.m., resumes immediately following the fireworks and lasts until 11 p.m. For event information visit rehobothbandstand.com.

The city strongly recommends visitors use the DART Park and Ride system to travel into downtown. Go to dartfirststate.com or call 302-226-2001 for route information.

Beginning at 5 p.m., the North Rehoboth Deauville Beach parking lot will open to firework parking at a cost of $5.

Road Closures

The reason to arrive early is to avoid road closures associated with the fireworks:

– From 6 p.m. to midnight, the circle around the Bandstand will be closed to vehicle traffic

– Beginning at 6 p.m., only bus and resident traffic will be allowed on Henlopen Avenue, and only bus traffic will be allowed on Surf Avenue.

– Beginning at 7 p.m., vehicles will not be able to use Rehoboth Avenue at the lighthouse circle.

– Beginning at 8:30 p.m., Rehoboth Avenue eastbound and Church Street from Route 1 will be closed.

– Beginning at 8:30 p.m., residents in Henlopen Acres and North Shores, and on Henlopen Avenue, will access their residence using First Street.

Traffic advisories

Despite city warnings, there will be a lot of vehicles the night of the fireworks. As such, the city is advising the best enter and exit route:

– All vehicles will have to enter Rehoboth Beach using State Road to Bayard Avenue.

– All traffic north of Rehoboth Avenue should exit Rehoboth Beach via Columbia Avenue and Rehoboth Avenue.

– All traffic south of Rehoboth Avenue should exit using Bayard Avenue or by using Hickman Street and Munson Street to State Road to Route 1. Traffic signs will be posted.

For more information on the Rehoboth Beach fireworks, go to www.cityofrehoboth.com or call 302-227-6181 Ext. 522.

The Jolly Trolley

The Jolly Trolley will be operating its daily Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach shuttle services, in full schedule, from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. The fixed route will be to the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand and to Dickinson Avenue in Dewey, on the Rehoboth Bay side. The Dewey stops along the ocean side of Route 1 will also be serviced.

Please note, during and after the fireworks, in Rehoboth Beach, the convention center stop, Village by the Sea stop, and the uptown Christian Street stop will be closed. Traffic delays are expected. For more route information, go to www.jollytrolley.com or call 302-644-0400.