Independence weekend events abound July 3-4

Rehoboth Beach

Fireworks to shine in Rehoboth July 3

Rehoboth Beach’s fireworks display will launch at roughly 9:30 p.m., Saturday, July 3. Fireworks festivities include musical sets performed by The Funsters at the Bandstand beginning at 8 p.m., and again after the fireworks conclude.

Additional Rehoboth Beach information:

• COVID preparations and precautions – Vaccinated individuals are not required to wear masks, but may choose to do so because of the large crowd that is anticipated. Individuals who are not vaccinated should wear a mask when attending this event. The city will provide several hand-sanitizing stations along the beach and Boardwalk.

• Additional restrooms – The city will have portable restrooms placed at various street ends the morning of Saturday, July 3, to augment public facilities at the Baltimore and Delaware Avenue comfort stations. Portable bathrooms at street ends will be removed the morning of Sunday, July 4; those at the comfort stations will be removed Monday, July 5.

• Road closures – Vehicular traffic in the Bandstand area will be closed from 6 p.m. to midnight; beginning at 6 p.m., only bus traffic and residents will be permitted on Henlopen and Surf avenues; vehicles will not be able to cross Rehoboth Avenue at the traffic circle beginning at 7 p.m.; Rehoboth Avenue eastbound and Church Street from Route 1 will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 8:30 p.m. At that point, all vehicles entering the city will have to do so using State Road or Bayard Avenue; residents on Henlopen Avenue, in Henlopen Acres and North Shores must access their residences using First Street beginning at 8:30 p.m. To exit Rehoboth Avenue after the fireworks, vehicles north of Rehoboth Avenue will be directed to use Rehoboth and Columbia avenues. Vehicles on the south side of Rehoboth Avenue will use Bayard Avenue to Route 1 or Hickman and Munson streets to State Road.

• Transportation alternatives – The city strongly encourages visitors to utilize the DART Park & Ride Service to travel into downtown. Visit the DART website or call 302-226-2001 for more information.  The Jolly Trolley will operate its Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach shuttle services on a revised schedule from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. July 3. The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach fixed route will be from/to the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand and to/from South Dewey Beach at Dickinson Street, on the Bay, including servicing Dewey Beach stops along the ocean side of Route 1.  Note that during and after the fireworks, the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, Village by the Sea Mall and the uptown Christian Street stops will be closed. Traffic delays are expected. For more route information go to jollytrolley.com or call 302-644-0400.

• Parking: There are approximately 2,200 metered parking spaces and additional permit-required spaces throughout town. Metered parking is in effect 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Parking permits are enforced from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fireworks parking will be available for $5 at the Deauville Beach lot beginning at 5 p.m.

Lewes

St. Peter’s Art Show set July 3

The St. Peter’s Art Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, July 3, at Second and Market streets in downtown Lewes.

4th of July celebration and classic car show set July 3

Trinity Faith Christian Center in Lewes will host the 25th Annual 4th of July Celebration and Classic Car Show from 12 to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 3, at 15516 New Road, one mile from the beach. Car show registration begins at 10 a.m. Christy Taylor Music will provide live jazz entertainment. The kid- and senior-friendly event will include free barbecue, fun and games. All are welcome. For more information, call 302-752-8112.

No children’s games this year

Due to COVID regulations, the old-fashioned children’s games on Second Street have been canceled this year. 

Boat parade set in Lewes July 4

The Lewes Boat Parade will start at approximately 1:30 p.m., Sunday, July 4, in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal. It will end around 3:30 p.m. with presentation of a trophy and citations for first, second and third place at the Lightship Overfalls.

Doo-Dah Parade is on for July 4

The annual Doo-Dah Parade will step off about 5 p.m., Sunday, July 4. The informal parade will travel through the streets of downtown Lewes and is open to anyone who wishes to join. 

Lewes fireworks at dusk July 4

Go Fourth Lewes will present fireworks at dusk, Sunday, July 4, from a barge off Lewes Beach. In case of inclement weather, the show will be moved to Monday, July 5.

• Road closures/parking – As in 2019, Savannah Road will be closed to vehicular traffic at 7 p.m. Freeman Highway will be closed at Monroe Avenue at 8 p.m. Only residents with valid ID will be permitted through the checkpoints. Cape Henlopen State Park campers will be also be permitted through the Freeman checkpoint. No parking will be allowed on Savannah Road or Cape Henlopen Drive.

• Post-fireworks – Following the fireworks, there will be no movement of any vehicular traffic on the beach side of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal until all pedestrians and bicyclists are back over the canal drawbridge. Chief Tom Spell anticipates it will be 30 to 45 minutes before vehicles will be allowed to leave. All traffic from Beach 1, Beach 2, and points east toward the state park will exit via Freeman Highway. Once Savannah Road is clear of pedestrians and bicyclists, it will reopen to traffic. “We’re trying to get people to understand that this is the plan and they shouldn’t plan to go anywhere,” Spell said. Assisting Lewes Police in the effort are Sussex Emergency Operations Center, Sussex EMS, DelDOT, Delaware River and Bay Authority, Delaware State Parks rangers, DNREC Fish & Wildlife, U.S. Coast Guard, and the Slaughter Beach and Lewes Fire Departments. 

• Viewing options – Go Fourth Lewes, the nonprofit group that funds the fireworks, is encouraging people to view the show throughout town. Debra Evalds, communications chair, says the fireworks will be shot higher this year, making them visible from most areas in town. Besides the beach, common viewing locations include Canalfront Park, the Savannah Road drawbridge and Pilottown Road. Drone photos were taken from the approximate location of where the fireworks will explode. They are posted at www.gofourthlewes.org. Evalds said if you can see your intended viewing location in the photo, you will have no problem viewing the show. “For those who decide to venture down to the beach, be mindful and use a lot of patience,” she said. “Get there early, bring in what you need, carry out your trash, and plan to stay late.” The grassy area at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal will be open to all at 3:30 p.m. Grain on the Rocks will be holding a ticketed pig roast on the dock. 

• Fundraising – Go Fourth Lewes did not run a fundraising campaign this year due to COVID. Anyone wishing to donate may do so at www.gofourthlewes.org. The lone fundraising event this year will be held from 4 to 10 p.m., Saturday, June 26, at Half Full on Second Street. The restaurant will donate a portion of the night’s proceeds to Go Fourth Lewes. 

• COVID protocols – Delaware remains in a state of emergency until July 13. Those attending the fireworks show are asked to maintain a 3-foot distance and wear a mask if not vaccinated. 

Cape May-Lewes Ferry

Fireworks cruise sold out for July 3

The ferry will set sail Saturday, July 3 from the Lewes terminal to watch the Lower Township, NJ fireworks display. There will be live music onboard at the third deck Lido Bar, provided by Glass Onion. Food and drink will be available. Check-in time is between 5:30 p.m. and 6:45 p.m.; boarding begins at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $20 for children under 11 (prior to June 25). After June 25, tickets are $40 (adults) and $25 (children 11) At press time, the cruise is sold out. Interested parties may join the wait list to be notified if additional tickets become available. For updates, go to cmlf.com/event/july-3rd-fireworks-cruise-sold-out/233.

Dewey Beach

Dewey Beach fireworks set for July 4

The Dewey Beach fireworks display will be set off from a barge in Rehoboth Bay about 9:30 p.m., Sunday, July 4.

Millsboro

Millsboro to host children’s celebration and parade July 4

Millsboro’s 15th Annual Children’s Celebration and Parade will be held at 11:30 a.m., Sunday, July 4, at the labyrinth of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on the corner of State and Ellis streets. Following a brief patriotic ceremony featuring the beautiful voice of Sussex’s own Cathy Gorman, children dressed in patriotic colors and costumes will parade on the church grounds to the parish hall. Each will receive a special gift for participating. A free lunch of grilled hot dogs, chips, desserts and beverages will be provided. In case of rain, the celebration and parade will be held in St. Mark’s parish hall. For more information, contact Gale White at 302-644-0777.

Bethany Beach

Bethany fireworks planned July 5

In Bethany Beach, there will be no parade this year, but there are two nights of events planned, highlighted by fireworks at 9:15 p.m., Monday, July 5. Prior to the fireworks, Love Seed Mama Jump will perform on the Bethany Beach Bandstand at 7:30 p.m. The 287th Army Band will present a show at 7:30 p.m., Sunday, July 4, on the Bethany Beach Bandstand.