Special events are part of Sussex lifestyle

Events really define what Sussex County is all about. It seems nearly every town has a signature event, and some have several. Some events have endured for decades and have become intertwined in the county’s history

Bridgeville has the Apple Scrapple Festival, Seaford the Nanticoke Riverfest, Rehoboth Beach the Sea Witch Festival and Jazz Festival, Dewey Beach has year-round music festivals and concerts and Running of the Bull, Georgetown has Wings and Wheels and Return Day every two years, Lewes has its July 4 celebration and Tulip Festival, Milton has the Horseshoe Crab Festival, Bethany Beach has the Fire and Ice Festival, and Hudson Fields has the Nanticoke Indian Powwow and Winter Wonderfest.

But that's just the extreme tip of the iceberg when it comes to events in the county.

Thanks to the efforts of city officials, chambers of commerce, museums, libraries, historical societies, volunteer groups, veterans organizations and fire departments, there are special events just about every weekend somewhere in Sussex County.

I can't begin to estimate how much money is raised each year at benefit events.

Trying to write a column about events is like going down a rabbit hole, because there are hundreds of them during every season of the year and it's impossible to mention every one.

Because tourism is such a major part of the economy and lifestyle of the Cape Region, Lewes and Rehoboth Beach are meccas for special events. More and more events seem to be cropping up on the schedule and more are falling outside the summer season.

Favorite events

The event I most look forward to each year is not even an official organized event in the true sense of the word. The annual Fourth of July Doo-Dah Parade in Lewes was started by family and friends in 1968. It's grown in popularity, but it's still the same as it ever was – a bunch of people dressing up in red, white and blue and celebrating the holiday. It's Americana at its best.

I have to include Nanticoke Riverfest in Seaford among my favorites since I'm one of the founders. A group of us wanted to go tubing to draw attention to the Nanticoke River, the best-kept secret in the county. It quickly mushroomed into an event and grew into a celebration of the river. In its 27th year, tubing is still the top attraction.

The Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach has something for everyone and attracts tens of thousands of people to the area. I think the parade is the best one in the county, and the pet parade grows in popularity each year.

Coast Day at the University of Delaware's Hugh R. Sharp Campus in Lewes is one of the best events of the year, when it takes place. The COVID-19 pandemic and terrible weather this year have forced the cancellation of the event the past four years. It's amazing to see the great work being done at the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment. Let's hope the stars align so the event can take place in 2023.

The Nanticoke Indian Powwow, now held at Hudson Fields, is entrenched in the history of the county. The Nanticokes have a proud heritage, and the powwow serves to highlight the Native American way of life.

Events I miss the most

At the top of the list is Punkin Chunkin, which in its heyday was the granddaddy of all events in the county. The last event in Sussex took place in 2016 after legal problems and high costs, including insurance, spelled doom for the popular event that attracted tens of thousands of people and a national TV following. In 2016, more than 30,000 people attended the three-day event, which started in Lewes in 1986.

Sussex Academy resurrected the Hot Air Balloon Festival in 2019, which started in Milton in 1990 and ran for 13 years. Although balloons had a hard time getting airborne, it was a great event that was a victim of the pandemic the next two years. I'm hoping it comes back again.

Best venues for events

Hudson Fields, off Route 1 north of Lewes, has become the No. 1 venue for events in the Lewes-Milton area over the past three years. From benefits to concerts, the venue has a lot of parking and a lot of space to spread out.

The Freeman Arts Pavilion, located near Fenwick Island, hosts an unbelievable schedule of events during the summer season. We are fortunate to have the chance to see some of the best music acts in the nation as well as local performers. On the lineup just this year were Patti LaBelle, John Fogerty, Boz Scaggs, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Elvis Costello and Jackson Browne, to name a few.

And stay tuned, because the organization has a $27 million expansion project in the works to add covered seating, more parking, and enhanced sound and lighting and concessions areas.

Fort Miles is another great venue. Thanks to a partnership between the Fort Miles Historical Association and Delaware State Parks, the World War II fort has been brought back to life. The annual Delaware Defense Day is like a step back in time with reenactors, and their vintage equipment and vehicles.

At Cape Henlopen State Park, thanks to park staff and the Friends group, there are dozens upon dozens of events and programs throughout the year including the best of them all, the Great Delaware Kite Festival.

And for those who appreciate the arts, the Milton Theatre has an impressive year-long calendar, as do Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach and Possum Point Players in Georgetown.

Most unique events

The Zombie Fest in Milton has taken on a new life, pardon the pun, as one of the quirkiest events in the county. Milton also has the Horseshoe Crab Festival, probably the only festival in the nation devoted to the horseshoe crab.

The Revival House tries to outdo itself each year with festivals to benefit Beebe Healthcare. So far they have had Jaws, Jurassic Park and Star Wars festivals. What's next?

Then there is the annual Oyster Eat at the Georgetown Fire Company. It’s another one-of-a-kind Sussex event where men get to go a little crazy one night of the year.

Events ramp up at Christmas

When the weather turns cold, events don't slack off, because Sussex County towns get into the Christmas spirit with a variety of events, including parades.

Two of the Christmas season signature events are Winter Wonderfest at Hudson Fields and Schellville behind Tangler Outlets Seaside.

Sponsored by Schell Brothers, the Christmas winter wonderland rivals any venue of its kind in the region, and it's free. An expanded Schellville opens for the season Saturday, Nov. 19.

Winter Wonderfest, which opens Nov. 18, offers a mile of drive-through lights, many depicting Cape Region landmarks. Since 2016, the event has generated $247,000 for Sussex charities through its community grant program.

And all of the above does not touch the incredible number of art and cultural and sporting events in the county. There is no doubt, Sussex County is a busy place.