Sea Witch Halloween and Fiddlers' Festival events set Oct. 23-25

The 26th Annual Sea Witch Halloween and Fiddlers Festival is themed Be A Sea Witch Scaredy Cat and will take place Friday, Oct. 23 through Sunday, Oct. 25. There are many new additions. This year's official mega monster sponsor is WRDE NBC Coast TV. An additional block has been added to lengthen the walking participant route and enhance spectator viewing. Shuttles will provide transport between satellite parking and downtown Rehoboth Beach Saturday, Oct. 24.

By popular demand, additional shuttles have been added to the 2015 route and a pick up/drop off location closer to the Rehoboth Boardwalk has been added. The Fiddlers’ Festival has expanded to include both an adult and children’s age bracket for best mandolin.

The Bag of TricksTrail sponsored by Kiwanis of Coastal Delaware has been extended. Young Sea Witch magicians can collect their tricks while walking through downtown Rehoboth Beach. Participants can begin their enchanted training Sunday, Oct. 25, at the information table in front of the Bandstand. The Bag of Tricks Trail can be completed anytime between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday.

All ghosts and goblins may enjoy Trick or Treat in the resort area two nights in a row. Trick or Treat is set in Dewey Beach from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23 and again with the Rehoboth Beach downtown merchants from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct, 24.

Sea Witch is rockin’ in 2015 with an expanded Bandstand schedule. Audiences can check out The British Invasion Experience, Neon Swing X-perience, Jimi Smooth and HitTime, The Funsters and New Sweden on the Rehoboth Bandstand.

Kids should keep a lookout for strolling balloon artist Wes Holly and his twisted balloon creations. There will be fun for the little ones and family at the Friday Kickoff. Sponsored by Sussex Outdoors, a tyke race on the Boardwalk is set for 3 to 4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23 for children ages 8 and under to dash down the Boardwalk on their trikes and bikes. 

The Delaware 87ers will also be on hand to help participants shoot some hoops and test out their basketball skills. Choo Choo Express Train rides will be provided by Grand Rental Station to take small children on a short ride through Grove Park from 3 to 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23. Children can ride in train cars powered by a John Deere lawn mower. This activity is best for those 8 and under.

Sussex Family YMCA’s fall fun and movie night begins at 5 p.m., Friday with fun activities that include a haunted schoolyard attraction, face painting, Halloween crafts, costume contest and carnival style games. Catered kids and adult meals  provided by Catcher’s Restaurant will be available for purchase. All proceeds benefit the Annual Strong Kids Campaign.

The movie will begin at approximately 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 23, at the Sussex Family YMCA in downtown Rehoboth Beach. Rain or moonlight, the movie will be shown in YMCA's all-purpose gymnasium. For more information, call 302-296-9622.

There are no fees for the Friday activities; donations are appreciated. These are outdoor activities; limited parking is available at Grove Park.

Rehoboth Avenue will be closed to traffic Saturday, Oct. 24 from 10:30 a.m. until the end of the costume parade, approximately 2 p.m. The Woodland String Band mummers, thousands of costumed participants, local bands, decorated cars and the Nur Shriners will join walkers for the costume parade. This year's costume parade will kick off at 11 a.m., Saturday. The parade will be led by the Sea Witch Clipper Ship and 2014 Business of the Year, Big Fish Restaurant Group.

Walkers can begin registering at 10 a.m. at Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave., and then line up outside the hall in the parking lot. The walkers and balloon handlers will lead the parade turning right out of the convention center parking lot, heading west on Rehoboth Avenue. Walkers will cross into the eastbound lanes of Rehoboth Avenue at Christian Street by M&T Bank and Jack Lingo Realtor. They will proceed east on Rehoboth Avenue toward the Bandstand turn in front of the restrooms and continue on the Avenue westward finishing at Village By The Sea.

A limited number of accepted motorized vehicles (maximum 50), floats, bands, large walking groups and members of the Shriners Temples will begin lining up on State Road  at 10:30 a.m. and follow the walkers around the parade route. At the end, the motorized vehicles will follow Rehoboth Avenue out of town to Route 1.

Sea Witch masks will be available with donation for parade registrants. Parade judges will award trophies to Top 25 Walking, Top 10 Rolling/Motorized and Judge’s Favorite Band. All motorized entries, bands and walking groups larger than 20 people must preregister and submit an application for review. For parade registration form, go to www.beach-fun.com. No more than 50 decorated, motorized entries and up to six education- affiliated bands will be accepted.

In the event of inclement weather, the parade may be postponed until 11 a.m., Sunday, Oct. 25. In the event of postponement only walking participants who can meet the requirements of the Boardwalk size, etc. may participate in the costume walking parade on the Rehoboth Boardwalk. There is no scheduled rain date for floats or motorized vehicles.

Any cancellation/postponement will be announced on WGMD 92.7 radio station orthrough the Chamber Visitors Center hotline for inclement weather updates, 302-226-2233, Ext. 12.

The Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddler’s Festival is Delaware’s Official State Fiddlers’ Festival. This festival has been billed as top string. Fiddlers and banjo players alike provide a full day of foot-stompin’ entertainment. For Fiddlers’ Festival registration form and complete program information, go to www.beach-fun.com

With a cash prize contest, the audience becomes the recipient of some of the best pickin’ possible. There is both an adult and children’s competition for best fiddle, mandolin, banjo, and bluegrass band. The Fiddler’s Festival will be held from 1 to 6 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, at Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.

There are no fees for the Fiddlers’ Festival; donations are appreciated. Concessions will be available for purchase in convention hall.

Children are invited to participate in the Old Fashion Beach Games held at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, on the beach at Rehoboth Ave. All participants will be given participation ribbons.

Sponsored by WBOC, the peanut on the nose race lets kids practice their balancing skills and cross the finish line with heads back and peanuts balanced on their noses. In the pumpkin dash, kids dash across the beach balancing pumpkin bean bags on their heads. In slippery swords, kids race down the beach balancing their pirate swords and they don’t let them touch the sand. Hula twist-off lets kids have hula hoop fun.

At the wacky broom tossing contest held at 3:30 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, all age-based categories get a chance to toss their numbered broom on the beach, with the longest distance winning. All participants walk away with a ribbon proclaiming them as an official Sea Witch Broom Tosser.

The hunt for the Sea Witch is on beginning at 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct 24. Only those with both hunting skills and stamina need apply. Participants must check in with the official clue keeper and pick up a 100+ clue location list (clues run in no particular order). Hunters must turn in their best guess by 5 p.m. The earliest correct guess wins a cash prize. The winner will be announced at the Bandstand at 4 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25. Hunters visit the locations listed on their clue location list. Each location has a clue that helps locate the Sea Witch.

The Sea Witch 5K Fall Classic and 1 Mile Fright Walk begins at Grove Park at 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25; registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Many of the 500+ runners, including entire families, arrive in costume. Prizes are presented not only for time, but also for the best costumes.

Participants looking for a slower pace may take part in the First State Webfooter Walks. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the latest starting time of 2 p.m.. Walks begin at the Henlopen Hotel, the Webfooter registration starting point for walk information.

Registration for the Best Costumed Dog Contest, Monsters on Parade, sponsored by Rehoboth Beach Animal Hospital, is set for 2 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 25. Dogs and their owners will register on Lakeview Avenue, next to the Henlopen Hotel, where they will receive their entry number and parade ribbon. The registration fee is $5 per dog. Dogs will be judged immediately following registration. All registered participants will line up at the North end of the Boardwalk parallel to the beach. Dogs and owners will parade down the Boardwalk letting the crowds get an eyeful.

Participants should be prepared for a one-and-a-half-mile walk including line-up, parade and return to Rehoboth Avenue from Laurel Street. Beginning at 3 p.m., the monsters wag their way down the Boardwalk. The lengthened parade will proceed south on the Boardwalk from the Henlopen Hotel to Star of the Sea Condominium at Laurel Street. Monster police will be positioned on the Boardwalk for spectator control and parade route passage.

Participants will exit the Boardwalk and disperse down Laurel Avenue, turning right onto King Charles Avenue/First Street. From King Charles Avenue/First Street participants can proceed back toward the Rehoboth Bandstand and Boardwalk via Rehoboth Avenue. Winners will be announced at the Rehoboth Bandstand at 4:30 p.m. and showcased on stage.

Floats and wagons may be used on the Boardwalk but may not be brought on stage; only leashed or carried pets will be received on the stage. No livestock, wild animals or reptiles are permitted in the contest.

Other weekend activities include scarecrow making, pony rides, hayrides, monster art and magic shows in Grove Park, horse shows on the beach, scales and tales wildlife on display.

For complete program information, go to www.beach-fun.com. For more festival or area information, contact the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce at 800-441-1329, Ext. 0, 302-226-2233, Ext. 0, or email rehoboth@beach-fun.com.