The Delaware State Fair runs July 18-27.

At state fair: competitions, concerts, carnival, corn dogs

Ken MammarellaHeadlines, Culture

For 10 days at the end of July, the Harrington area booms with the Delaware State Fair. Attendance topped 308,000 in 2023, and it takes hundreds of volunteers and employees to entertain, feed and inform them. “It sure does” take a lot of hands, said Audrey Gary, who as superintendent of the flowers competitive department counts on eight assistant superintendent …

Fireworks over Rehoboth Beach in 2023. Carl Wilson Jr. photo, courtesy of Rehoboth Beach.

Fireworks and so forth to celebrate Independence Day in Del.

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

Most Delaware places known for Fourth of July fireworks and other Independence Day activities have announced their plans. Organizers consistently ask for people to arrive early and leave late, and the Delaware Department of Transportation warns that many events close roads, too. In other words, traffic could be bad. Organizers also often ask for contributions to support the celebrations. Go …

Christmas Schellville drew 163,000 people in 2022. (Schell Brothers)

Ho-ho-ho! Classic Delaware area Christmas traditions await

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines, RSS-Culture, Weekly Review

Here are some memorable spots to mark Christmas in Delaware and just over the border into Pennsylvania. Be prepared: some places required advance tickets, sell out or will be crowded. Longwood Gardens, for instance, drew 572,000 people in 2022 for its spectacular Christmas displays, and Schellville drew 163,000 for its extravaganza. These event run for weeks. There’s a separate list …

Irv Boyd helps finish a gingerbread version of Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods for Yuletide at Winterthur. (Ken Mammarella photo)

Winterthur’s Enchanted Woods, in whimsical gingerbread

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

Winterthur has moved its Enchanted Woods indoors this season – as a delightfully detailed miniature form in gingerbread – for Yuletide at Winterthur. The 150-pound creation features gingerbread, chocolate, fondant and icing. That’s all edible. On this day of Christmas: Holiday events to mark on your calendar The construction sits on a hardwood platform, edged with red ribbon, with styrofoam …

free concerts

Free concerts Mondays, Wednesdays at Wilmington State Parks

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

Wilmington State Parks will host free concerts twice a week this summer. The concerts are 6:30 p.m. Mondays at Rockford Tower in Rockford Park and 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Sugar Bowl in Brandywine Park, south of the Brandywine Zoo. RELATED: Bellevue State Park announces summer concerts 42 nights of free music at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand Free concerts, movies and …

Delaware state fair

Butter sculpting among new fun at 2022 state fair

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

More than 2,000 pounds of butter that will become art, a Wild West show and a BMX stunt show are some of this year’s additions to the Delaware State Fair. The 103rd edition of the fair runs July 21-30 at the state fairgrounds in Harrington. “We’re chock full of entertainment,” said Danny Aguilar, assistant general manager and director of marketing. …

Offshore wind Indian River Bridge

Delaware state parks offer after-dark fun

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

Delaware state parks are typically open 8 a.m. to sunset, but they also host interesting evening events. Three types of nighttime events – lantern tours, full-moon hikes and hikes looking for nocturnal creatures – occur at several of the state’s 17 parks. A fourth – to marvel at the beauty of the Indian River Inlet Bridge – is a specialty …