Fireworks over Rehoboth Beach. (Butch Comedy’s photo courtesy of Rehoboth Beach)
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.
Dusk is about 9:05 p.m. on the Tuesday, the Fourth, but fireworks could start as late as 9:30. Here’s a lineup:
Fireworks on (or near) the Fourth
Bethany Beach says its holiday celebration is “our biggest party of the year.” The fun starts with a 5K run/walk on Sunday, July 2. On the Fourth, there’s a parade at noon featuring floats (the theme is “Sand & Sea in ’23”), bands, motor vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. Parade awards will be announced at the bandstand at 7:15 p.m., followed by a concert at 7:30 and the fireworks at dusk.
Dewey Beach gets fireworks on the Fourth, thanks to businessman Alex Pires.
The Dover Fourth of July Celebration this year begins on Saturday, July 1 when First State Heritage Park presents the holiday as celebrated in the late 1800s, with lawns games, live music and other activities. There will be walking tours, and the Declaration of Independence will be read out from the steps of the Old State House at 2 p.m., just as it was in July 1776. The events on July 4 start at 10 a.m. with working tours of park, and the declaration read again at 2 p.m. Artisans and food vendors will be operating by 4 p.m. A parade starts at 6 p.m. on Park Drive, and it heads west on Loockerman Street, turns left on State Street and terminates at Water Street. A DJ starts spinning at 6:30 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.
The Hockessin Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks includes neighborhood relays and a field day in the morning, a parade in the afternoon and the fireworks at dusk on July 4. The fireworks can be seen all over Hockessin, the website says, with the main viewing from Swift Park, Piedmont Baseball Fields, Hockessin Library and Artesian Soccer Fields. The 5k for Fireworks kicks off the festivities on Thursday, June 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Hockessin Athletic Club. Signups are at run signup.com, with all proceeds going to the Hockessin 4th of July fireworks, according to Rep. Mike Smith, who’s organizing sponsors at [email protected].
Laurel’s 29th annual 4th of July Celebration begins at 3 p.m. July 4, at Janosik Park on Front Street. Events includes a cornhole tournament, live bands, a car show, a parade starting at 7 p.m and fireworks at dusk.
Lewes’ Go Fourth fireworks starts at dusk on July 4. The Lewes Chamber of Commerce said children’s activities start at 9 a.m., and there will also be a boat parade and a “quirky” Doo-Dah Parade at “approximately” 5 p.m. starting nearly Lloyd’s Market on Savannah Road.
Newark’s Liberty Day and Fourth of July Fireworks runs 6-10 p.m. July 4 at the University of Delaware athletic complex on South College Avenue.
Rehoboth Beach’s fireworks are set to begin around 9:30 p.m. Sunday, July 2. The 20-minute display will be visible along the beach and boardwalk. Downtown traffic restrictions start at 6:30 p.m. The Funsters will perform at the bandstand beginning at 8 and again after the fireworks display.
The Smyrna/Clayton July 4th Foundation is the host of Delaware’s oldest-running fireworks, at dusk on July 4, across from Smyrna High, with a parade at 9:30 that morning.
Wilmington hosts fireworks at 9:15 p.m. on July 4, synchronized to music, with the good viewing locations in Tubman-Garrett Park and other Riverfront locations. Free activities begin that afternoon at the park, including tours of the Kalmar Nyckel, art-making tent, pony rides, a petting zoo, live music, mini train rides, sports and games, gardening and flowerpot-making, balloon art and face painting. Food and merchandise vendors will be onsite. Rain date is July 5 for fireworks only. The city’s calendar links to cityfest.
Fireworks at other times
The Millsboro Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring Stars & Stripes in Cupola Park, starting at 6 p.m. June 25. Games and vendors precede the fireworks at dusk over the pond.
The Wilmington Blue Rocks will sponsor fireworks after Friday home games on June 16, June 23, July 7, July 21, Aug. 4 and Aug. 31, plus Sunday, Sept. 3.
Very limited fireworks at home
Consumer fireworks — such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, aerial mortars and anything that leaves the ground — is prohibited to possess or use in Delaware.
“Novelty items such as sparklers and ground-based fountains are only permitted to be used on July 4th,” Michael G. Chionchio, assistant state fire marshal, said in a release. “Consumer fireworks are frequently advertised by mail, radio, television, and billboards for retail sale to Delaware residents to purchase and use. These advertised consumer aerial fireworks are
prohibited to possess or discharge. The pop-up tents frequently seen 30 days prior the July 4th holiday are not permitted to sell anything but sparklers and ground-based items like fountains.”
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