Beach Chatter – 4th of July at the Beach

Beach Chatter is a weekly post that will make sure you are prepared for your trip to the Delaware Beaches with weather updates, calendar events, and other useful tips.




It’s 4th of July weekend…one of the busiest weekends of summer here at the beach.
Coming to visit and want to know where to watch the fireworks, see a parade, or enjoy some entertainment?? Here’s the scoop.


BETHANY BEACH


The fireworks display will be shot from the south end of the boardwalk in Bethany around 9pm. You can get a great view from pretty much anywhere around the beach. Stay closer to the bandstand {although be prepared for crowds} to hear the fireworks being accompanied by music.

On Monday {July 5th} Bethany Beach will hold it’s annual 4th of July parade at 12:00pm.


REHOBOTH BEACH


Enjoy the Chesapeake Silver Cornet Brass Band at the bandstand beginning at 8pm. Then watch the spectacular firework display that is to begin around 9:15 pm with the fireworks being shot from the south end of the beach. After the fireworks stay up late to enjoy a classic rock concert from the Funsters beginning at 10pm at the bandstand.


Shuttle buses from the Park & Ride at DE-1 and Shuttle Road will run from 5-11pm. There is $10 fee to park and ride. The Jolley Trolley Shuttle Service will also be running from 8am until around 2am.


OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND
UPTOWN – A day long celebration of Jamboree in the Park 4th of July at Northside Park on 127th Street. Bring the whole family for a day filled with musical entertainment, crafts, food, and games, children’s entertainment. The activities will begin at noon and continue through 11pm with the fireworks display at 9:30 pm.

DOWNTOWN – Concert and Fireworks will be held on the Beach at Caroline Street at the heart of Ocean City. Nestle down on the beach with a blanket or beach chair and snacks and enjoy an exciting concert followed by colorful fireworks illuminating the sky, the beach, and ocean.
Concert will begin around 8 pm with fireworks at 9:30 pm.

Tips:

• Plan on arriving at the beach early to stake out your spot. The further you get away from the boardwalks, the more space you will have. When you sit on the beach you can see fireworks up and down the coast so you will have a view wherever you are!
• If you choose to have a spot right by the water, make sure to check the tide charts. It can come in quickly and you don’t want to be washed away!
• Take chairs, towels, and blankets to set up camp.
• Sometimes it can be cool if the wind is blowing off the water so you may want to bring a sweatshirt or light sweater just in case!
• It’s always fun to have a picnic so pack a cooler and enjoy some snacks while you wait. This also gives the kiddos something to do.
• Pack the bug spray!!
• Make a stop at the dollar store before you go to grab some glow sticks. This will also keep the kids entertained and you won’t have to listen to them whine as they watch the glow sticks up and down the beach.
• SPARKLERS ARE ILLEGAL SO KEEP THEM HOME!

The 4th of July weekend is one of the busiest weekends at the beach so plan for crowds! Just focus on relaxing and having a good time!!

A big shout out to all the service men and women who have fought for our freedom.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!

Check out Surviving the Sandcastles calendar for updated events happening during your visit!

So what are you waiting for? Grab your towels, beach umbrella, and boogey board and come make some waves!

Mel lives in Bethany Beach, Delaware and shares information to make your family’s Delaware beach visit as painless and fun as possible at Surviving the Sandcastles. She also blogs about this, that, and everything else at Mel’s Box of Chocolates.

Beach Chatter – Radio Disney, Skaters,and Magic all at the Beach!

Beach Chatter is a weekly post that will make sure you are prepared for your trip to the Delaware Beaches with weather updates, calendar events, and other useful tips.

I can’t believe how lucky we have been on our weekend forecasts. It looks like another gorgeous weekend is in store for your beach visit.

I have to say though I am a bit perplexed over accuweather.com and their “colder” on Friday. 87 degrees doesn’t seem at all cold, but perhaps their thinking that after the 97 degrees we are supposed to have on Thursday it just may seem colder!

Did you hear the news???

Radio Disney is bringing their show from Philly down to the beaches. Next Tuesday, June 29th, they are setting up camp right in Dewey Beach. Visitors can join the Radio Disney Road Crew at the Dagsworthy Street beach for an evening of music, games, contests, and prizes on Tuesday from 6:30-8:00pm. Radio Disney is the #1, 24 hour radio network devoted to kids, tweens, and families so it is sure to be a good time. Come early and enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants in Dewey Beach! The event is FREE and you don’t even have to pay the meters because parking in Dewey Beach is free after 5:00pm! For more information visit Surviving the Sandcastles.

There’s quite a few events happening on Saturday so you are sure to find something fun to do with the family, besides soak up the sun and bury each other in the sand that is!

Saturday {June 26}

• Learn how to skim board at a FREE skim board clinic at the beach on New Orleans Street in Dewey Beach. The professionals from Alley-oop will be there at 10am, giving tips to help you make some tricks.
• Experience Joe Romano’s special brand of magic and illusion at the Freeman Stage at Bayside in Fenwick Island at 10am. Children (and adults) of all ages will be amazed. The show is FREE and open to the public. For more information visit http://www.freemanstage.org
• Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Delaware is holding a Sk8te day with FREE skating for the whole family. You must have proper safety equipment and children under 18 must have permission slip to skate. There will be a moon bounce for the little ones and food and drinks will be available. A local band will be entertaining as well as demonstrations from local skate members. For more information contact the church at 302.227.7743 or visit http://www.epworth-rehoboth.org.

The bandstands at Bethany Beach and Rehoboth Beach will be having live entertainment in the evening on both Saturday and Sunday night! So grab your ice cream cone or bucket of caramel corn and enjoy some music with the family.

Check out Surviving the Sandcastles calendar for updated events happening during your visit!

So what are you waiting for? Grab your towels, beach umbrella, and boogey board and come make some waves!

Mel lives in Bethany Beach, Delaware and shares information to make your family’s Delaware beach visit as painless and fun as possible at Surviving the Sandcastles. She also blogs about this, that, and everything else at Mel’s Box of Chocolates.

Beach Chatter – Let Summer Vacation Begin

If a visit to the Delaware Beaches is in your plans for this summer then don’t miss the Beach Chatter, a weekly post that will make sure you are prepared for your trip with weather updates, calendar events, and other useful tips to make your trip to the beach, a successful one.

Greetings from the beach!
In case you didn’t know I’m an elementary school teacher by day {blogger by night} and I’m thrilled to report that Wednesday was officially my first day of summer vacation. So from now on if anybody needs to find me I’ll be on the beach with my toes in the sand and hopefully a book in my hand, when I’m not building sandcastles that is!

So let’s get down to beach business.
If you are planning a visit this weekend the weather looks perfect for beach days.

Personally, I would be setting up camp on the beach all weekend, but if you are looking for some other options here are a few events scheduled for this weekend.

• Restaurant Week in Rehoboth ends this weekend, but you still have the chance to sample some of our local chefs delicious menus on Friday and Saturday. Participating restaurants are serving pre–fixe meals at $30 for three courses.
  
• Enjoy fishing? On Saturday and Sunday fishing is free in all Delaware waters. No fishing licenses are required for anybody. Fishing, crabbing, and clamming is included in the FREE fishing days.
• Alley Oop will be holding a FREE skim board clinic on the beach at New Orleans Street, in Dewey Beach on Saturday. Learn how to skim board or if you already know how you can learn some new tricks from local experts. Call 302.227.7087 for more information.
• If art is your thing then you will want to fit Second Saturdays Destination Art Walk into your beach visit. You can visit downtown art galleries from 6-9 PM as part of the new Second Saturday Art Walks presented by Mosaic – the new gallery collective for downtown Rehoboth. Check out the galleries, the fabulous art, receptions and more. Seemosaicrehoboth for details.
• If you are up for a drive inland Kids’ Fest is taking place at the Delaware State Fairgrounds, located in Harrington, Delaware {on Rt 13}on Saturday, from 10am-4pm. The event is FREE for children and only $3 for adults. Food and ride tickets will be available. For details call 302-398-5194 or 302-242-0375 or visit kidsfestde.
• On Saturday, Cape Henlopen State Park is hosting a Fort Miles Battery 519 tour from 2-2:30 p.m. and then a Lantern tour of Fort Miles Battery 519 from 7-8:30 p.m. at the State Park. Both events are $5 per person and preregistration is required by calling 302.645.6852.
• Delaware Seashore State Park will be offering “Terrapin Talk” at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Indian River Life-Saving Station Museum. Learn about the endangered Terrapins that are often seen throughout the State Park. The cost is $3 per person and you can call 302.227.6991 for more information.
  

Check out Surviving the Sandcastles calendar for updated events happening during your visit! So what are you waiting for? Grab your towels, beach umbrella, and boogey board and come make some waves!

Mel lives in Bethany Beach, Delaware and shares information to make your family’s Delaware beach visit as painless and fun as possible at Surviving the Sandcastles. She also blogs about this, that, and everything else at Mel’s Box of Chocolates.

Beach Chatter – Jet Planes Welcome Summer

If a visit to the Delaware Beaches is in your plans for this summer then don’t miss the Beach Chatter, a weekly post that will make sure you are prepared for your trip with weather updates, calendar events, and other useful tips to make your trip to the beach, a successful one.

It’s officially SUMMER!!
Well according to the beach bums whose summer runs from Memorial to Labor Day.

Better weather couldn’t have been ordered for opening weekend at the Delaware Beaches. It was downright HOT inland, but on the beach there was a perfect breeze. The kids and I spent most of Monday soaking up the sun, digging holes in the sand, and collecting sea shells. They braved the water {for about 10 seconds that is} but it was 10 seconds more than I did!! That water is frigid. You won’t find me in it until August at the earliest.

It looks like this weekend could have potential to be a great beach weekend too. Around here we don’t pay much attention to the possible thunderstorms as they usually roll out as fast as they come in, if they ever show up at all.

Don’t worry though. If it looks a bit too cloudy to hang out at the beach there is plenty going on around the beach towns to keep you entertained.

The big event is the OC Air Show taking place in Ocean City, Maryland all weekend. The events begin Thursday evening and last all weekend. Plan to to be amazed as you watch the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, along with military jet demonstrations, parachute teams, civilian aerobatic performers and formation flying teams soar over the beaches and boardwalk. The U.S. Navy Seals Leap Frogs will be performing a dazzling night jump at the Saturday Night Beach Party jumping over the ocean and landing in the middle of the party! All the events can be viewed for FREE from the beach, but you can also purchase tickets for VIP seating.

If jet planes aren’t your thing, check out what else is happening this weekend.

Saturday, June 5th

• Lewes Farmers Market in Lewes, Delaware. Come out and see what all the local farmers, bakers, shop owners, and artisans have to offer in one of our best local markets.
• First State South Side Shoot Out, a skimboarding contest, will be held at the Indian River Inlet south of Dewey Beach. For pros and amateurs. For more information you can call 302.227.4011 or visitwww.skimusa.org.
• Bethany Beach Seaside Craft Show will be held on the Bethany Beach Boardwalk from 10-5. Looking for that special beach “something”, you will find it here!
  
• Delaware By Hand Masters will have an exhibit at Peninsula Gallery, 520 E. Savannah RD in Lewes. There will be a reception to meet the artisans from 5-7pm. The exhibition showcases a range of media including; Fiber, Hand-Blown Glass, Photography, Ceramics, Wood, Painting, Pottery, Jewelry and Sculpture. Visitwww.peninsula-gallery.com for more information or call 302.645.0551

Sunday, June 6th

• Restaurant Week begins in Rehoboth Beach. Visit participating restaurants to sample some culinary delights at a budget friendly price. Restaurants will be featuring $20 and $30 prix-fixe dinners to showcase the exceptional chefs and their innovative menus.
  

Check out Surviving the Sandcastles calendar to see what’s happening at the beach during your visit! Be sure to check back often as the calendar is constantly being updated to bring you the most current events that are sure to provide fun for your whole family.

So what are you waiting for? Grab your towels, beach umbrella, and boogey board and come make some waves!

Mel lives in Bethany Beach, Delaware and shares information to make your family’s Delaware beach visit as painless and fun as possible at Surviving the Sandcastles. She also blogs about this, that, and everything else at Mel’s Box of Chocolates.

Choosing a Delaware Beach

We have beautiful beaches in Delaware with each one offering something a little different, depending on how you and your family want to spend the day.

Let’s start from the top…

Lewes Beach

Lewes Beach is on the bay, not the ocean, so it offers a calm place to swim. You can wade in the gentle waves from passing boats, lounge on a raft, or take a leisurely swim. When you aren’t in the water you can build sandcastles, hunt for shells and rocks, and if you are lucky may even find a hermit crab or conch along the coast line. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas at the beach so you don’t have to carry your own. There are bathrooms located by the beach and a Dairy Queen within walking distance. All parking is metered at $1.50 an hour. The beach is wide though so be prepared to walk a short distance across the hot sand.

Cape Henlopen Beach

Cape Henlopen is a state park that offers many activities. They have a couple beaches to hang out on for the day including one you can drive onto as long as you have a 4wd drive vehicle and a beach permit. There is also a fishing pier and nature center that offers a variety of educational programs.

Rehoboth Beach

Rehoboth Beach is a bit busier than Lewes and CapeHenlopen as it has the boardwalk full of restaurants and shops. The beach is long and not too wide so you can usually find a good spot with a view of the ocean. You can rent umbrellas and chairs here too. There are many lunch choices and bathrooms within close walking distance.

Dewey Beach

This beach is known to be more of the college, singles beach, but you will still find plenty of family’s roaming around. There is not a boardwalk so you cross over the dunes on any of the side streets and you are on the beach. You can still rent the umbrellas and chairs and walk to the main street through Dewey for lunch and the restrooms.

State Park Beaches

As you make your way further south on Route 1 you will find many state part beaches between Dewey and Bethany. There are two with concession stands and picnic areas which are usually the busiest.

There are a few others that you pay to park, but do not have any amenities besides a couple of port-a-pottys. These are usually quieter though and you can get a great spot on the beach.

Finally, there are a couple beach access for your 4wd vehicles. Again you must have a beach permit on your vehicle before driving on. If you drive on you must also be actively fishing or at least have a line in the water. Local Insider Tip: The rangers do drive their 4 wheelers through to check for beach permits, but the don’t look for bait so they never know if you are really fishing or not. Driving on the beach offers the convenience of not lugging everything on the beach, plus you always get a spot right on the ocean. However, the beach permits are not very cheap so it may not be cost effective for one day.

Bethany Beach

Better known as my beach! Bethany is known as the quiet resort and hosts to mostly families. There is a small boardwalk, restaurants, shops, and two mini golfs all within walking distance of the main drag. Due to a beach replenishment project you cannot see the ocean from the boardwalk which stinks, but when you walk over the dune it is beautiful. The beach can get narrow during high tide so watch the tide charts carefully (they are posted on each lifeguards chair) to avoid having your camp wash away. There are usually many kids around so your little ones are sure to find some new friends.

Fenwick Island

This is the southernmost beach before entering Maryland. There is a state park with concession stand and then beach access from some side roads. There is not a boardwalk, but the beaches are less crowded allowing more space to spread your things. Along Route1 there are many restaurants, shops, and mini golf places.

If you are looking to hang out with your family and friends for a day, week, or even longer at a beach you are sure to find one in Delaware that meets your needs. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!!

Mel lives in her sandcastle at the beach in Delaware. When she isn’t jumping waves or playing in the sand, you can find her blogging daily at A Box of Chocolates.