Rollin’ on the runway: Southern Delaware Roller Derby girls strut heels, wheels April 25

Celebrating its second year since bringing roller derby to the Cape Region, the Southern Delaware Roller Girls are ready to jam out with a new cookbook fundraiser, photo shoot and fashion show Thursday, April 25.

Roller derby girl Jamie Shinault – who goes by "Jelly Go Nuts" during bouts – said the league is holding a fashion show to raise funds – and to let the public know the league is growing.

What a difference a year makes.

With at least five mid-Atlantic region bouts already under their belts, the derby girls decided to repeat the fashion show they held last year – modeling clothes from as many as 10 Rehoboth-area retailers – and raise the bar with an afterparty at the Summer House, photo shoot and a new cookbook that will make its debut at the show.

Shinault, a graphic designer, decided the cookbook was a good way to take advantage of the league’s skilled team of bakers, who typically raise money through bake sales held at all their bouts.

Her vision called for the best recipes and a photo shoot for a cookbook that packs a derby-worthy punch, adding a little spice to the sweets.

“We hold bake sales at bouts so that is kind of where the idea was born, and we wanted to do a photo shoot tied to something other than us skating around the rink,” she said. “The photo shoot for the cookbook is us, pinup style in roller skates.”

The cookbook is part of the evolution of the league, whose members practice at the Milford Skating Center. Their next bout is Saturday, May 18, against Salisbury roller girls, the Wicomikazis.

”Last year it was all to support the league,” Shinault said. “We hadn’t had a bout yet, but this year we are donating a portion to the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition to justify the annual event.”

There is a suggested donation for the event, to be held at the Atlantic Sands Hotel in Rehoboth.  A cash bar will be available for those who come to see members of the league model this spring’s top fashions, derby girl Jen “Adora Bully” White said.

As the owner of her own clothing store, Downtown Cowgirl on Rehoboth Avenue, White said the fashion show has grown with more downtown retailers stepping up to sponsor through the donation of clothes and hair and makeup services.

“The fashion show is like my baby,” she said. “This year it has really grown and there will be specials for us at the Summer House afterparty.”

For more information, visit the Southern Delaware Roller Girls website at www.sodelrollergirls.com.