Delaware
Festival frenzy: 17 Delaware events this spring & summer 2025
Raw Video: Cooler evening temperatures brings visitors to state fair
Visitors waited until temperatures cooled to visit the Delaware State Fair. 7/25/22
Gary Emeigh/Special to the Delaware News Journal, Delaware News Journal
Festival season is just getting started in Delaware, and will soon be in full swing.
This whirlwind of events will hit every part of the state, and aims to hit every interest.
Here’s a preview of notable fests that will awake from hibernation this spring and summer.
Wilmington Street Food Festival 2025, Wilmington
A snack attack will be served up at the Wilmington Street Food Festival. Guests will experience over two dozen of the area’s top food trucks and restaurants. Menu items will cost $5 or less so guests can sample from plenty of vendors, per the festival’s Eventbrite page. The event also will feature live entertainment, axe throwing, kids’ fun zone and much more.
Tubman Garret Riverfront Park (Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington) from 2 to 8 p.m. May 17. General admission starts at $7.99 (plus $2.89 fee). Visit facebook.com/WilmingtonStreetFoodFestival or call (888) 827-8340.
A Day In Old New Castle, New Castle
The community will ring in the 100th anniversary of the event “A Day In Old New Castle,” which will include a new feature: a 1920s Swinging Soiree. That means folks will party in Great Gatsby fashion at Zollie’s Shaw Alley from 7 to 10 p.m. Revelers will enjoy cuisine and dance to jazz, plus drink beverages from the 1920s. Tickets are $65. Proceeds will benefit A Day In Old New Castle, New Castle Community Partnership and many nonprofit partners, according to the event’s website.
There will be free events and activities that include children’s activities, crafts, Steam Cars from the Marshall Steam Car Museum, antique cars (1900-1940) from the Brandywine Antique Car Club, and more.
Additionally, A Day In Old New Castle will offer ticketed activities like a dock tour on the Kalmar Nyckel and tours of historic houses, gardens, museums and churches. Guests will receive $1 off for dressing in Colonial or Victorian-era attire.
The event will be held near 400 Delaware St., New Castle, on May 17. Day of tickets are $25 for adults, $5 for children aged 5+; free for kids under age 5. Swinging Soiree is $65 per person. Visit historicnewcastle.com.
Poseidon Festival 2025, Bethany Beach
The 10th anniversary of the Poseidon Festival is a four-day affair with pirates, mermaids, live music, a costume contest and more fun. Some of the highlights include a performance from the Caiso Steeldrum Band (May 23), sword demonstrations from Captain Jack (May 24 and 25), costume parade and contest where you can dressed as a pirate, mermaid or your favorite maritime creature (May 24), a summer luau show (May 24), United States Navy Band concert (May 25) and Memorial Day service (May 26).
The Poseidon Festival is held in downtown Bethany Beach (near Bethany Bandstand) from May 23 to 26. Visit townofbethanybeach.com/497/Poseidon-Festival or call (302) 539-8011.
Buccaneer Bash 2025, Bowers Beach
Fearless swashbucklers will sail to Bowers Beach for a peaceful adventure at the annual Buccaneer Bash. This free two-day festival is known to take seafarers back to the 18th century to experience pirate life through demonstrations, music, petting zoo, food, craft and modern vendors, and activities in downtown Bowers Beach.
Buccaneer Bash is held in downtown Bowers Beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 24 and 25. Free event. Visit Bowers Beach Buccaneer Bash on Facebook or call (302) 222-6341.
Ladybug Music Festival 2025, Wilmington
Over 30 acts will play the Ladybug Music Festival including headliner Margaret Glaspy. The singer-songwriter has drawn attraction from The New York Times and Rolling Stone, NPR and others.
The Ladybug Festival has been branded as the country’s largest free celebration of women in music. The festival, which started in 2012, has built a unique reputation for featuring 100% female-fronted acts.
Ladybug Festival is held in downtown Wilmington from 5 to 10 p.m. May 30. Free event. Visit theladybugfestival.com.
Black Music Festival 2025, Houston
This festival returns for a second year in honor of Black Music Month. The headliner is We Are One X-Perience Band, paying tribute to the legendary Frankie Beverly featuring Maze. Guests can bring their own beer, food, coolers, chairs and tents (10 feet by 10 feet) to the Black Music Festival for a good time.
G & R Campground (4075 Gun and Rod Club Road, Houston) from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 7. Tickets for general admission are $50. Visit wilmingtonsgents.com, gandrcampground.com/event-calendar or call (302) 743-3417.
Delaware Pride Festival 2025, Dover
Dover will be dipped in rainbow hues for the return of the Delaware Pride Festival. This longstanding festival is the biggest Pride celebration in the state. The event will include drag performers Maddelyn Hatter, Louisiana Purchase and Scarlet Masters. There will be food vendors, beer garden, performers and more. There also will be community organizations sharing resources and support, reinforcing the message of inclusivity.
Near The Green (Federal Street, Dover) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 7. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/DelawarePrideInc delawarepride.org or call (302) 753-2162.
Dover Con 2025, Dover
Don’t be surprised if you see more Dr. Doom and Fantastic 4 cosplayers this time around at Dover Con. Formerly Dover Comic Con, the free event is family-friendly and great for folks who are new to cosplay and/or want to get a taste of what a comic convention is all about. (The con is also perfect for folks who love to people watch.)
Lots of vendors and artisans sell wares and items at the convention. There usually are cool vehicles on display like replicas of the Batmobile, “Jurassic Park” Jeep or the Pikabug from “Pokémon.”
Dover Public Library (35 Loockerman Plaza, Dover) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 14. Free event. Visit delmarvaevents.net.
St. Anthony’s Italian Festival 2025, Wilmington
This year the St. Anthony’s Italian Festival celebrates 51 years of bringing Mediterranean cuisine to the First State. The eight-day festival, branded as one of the largest Italian celebrations in the country, dishes up a variety of authentic and tasty food.
The event is the primary fundraiser for St. Anthony of Padua Grade School in Wilmington.
St. Anthony’s Italian Festival (901 N. Dupont St., Wilmington) from 4 to 10:30 p.m. June 8; 6 to 10:30 p.m. from June 9 to 13; 4 to 10:30 p.m. June 14; 2 to 6 p.m. June 15. For tickets or more info, visit sapde.org or call (302) 421-3700.
Clifford Brown Jazz Festival 2025, Wilmington
The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, a hallmark summer event, turns 38. The four-day festival hasn’t announced its full lineup yet, but we do know that ’90s R&B star Chantė Moore and The Wooten Brothers will grace the stage.
This festival has grown into the largest free jazz festival on the East Coast, according to the festival’s website. The main stage of this year’s festival opens on June 18 with a star-studded roster of performances through June 21. Each night after the main stage concerts, Late Night Jam Sessions will be hosted at local establishments throughout downtown Wilmington.
The Clifford Brown Jazz Festival is held on Rodney Square (1000 N. Market St., Wilmington) June 18 to 21. For more info, visit cliffordbrownjazzfest.org.
June Jam 2025, Houston
The 47th annual festival is back with a lineup of rocking bands that include Chesapeake Sons, who fans are pumped to see.
June Jam claims to be the longest-running music festival in the nation (since even the pandemic couldn’t stop them). Over the years, proceeds from June Jam have benefited all sorts of causes, from helping people struggling with medical bills to supporting Toys for Tots.
G&R Campground (4075 Gun and Rod Club Road, Houston) and gates open at 10 a.m. June 21. For tickets or more info, visit junejam.com.
Smyrna at Night 2025, Smyrna
Headlining this year’s Smyrna at Night is the mystical band Magic!, a Canadian band living in Los Angeles that delivers pop, reggae and alternative vibes.
Smyrna at Night is branded as Kent County’s largest free outdoor concert. This year’s event will be spread across three stages with 18 bands. Other notable acts include local favorite Jovon Newman, Spokey Speaky, Mike Hines & The Look, and Shwayze. There also will be food trucks, wine and beer vendors, downtown shops and vendors and kid-friendly activities.
Smyrna at Night will be held downtown from noon to 9:30 p.m. June 14. Free event. For more info, visit facebook.com/smyrnaatnight.
Juneteenth Freedom Parade and Festival 2025, Wilmington
The Juneteenth Freedom Parade and Festival in Wilmington is back to honor the emancipation of African Americans.
The event is on June 14 and starts with a parade at 11 a.m. from Rodney Square (1000 N. Market St., Wilmington) down to the festival that offers music, food, fun and more at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park (Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington). Visit Delawarejuneteenth.org or (302) 314-5863.
Running of the Bull 2025, Dewey Beach
The epic Running of the Bull even is back on deck in Dewey Beach. The Starboard’s annual event is charged up for a whimsical fiesta where participants are chased up the highway and onto Dewey Beach by a costumed bull. But this bull is special because it is powered by four human legs.
The Starboard (2009 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach) on June 28. Visit thestarboard.com or (302) 227-4600.
Ice Cream Festival 2025, near Wilmington
It’s hard not to have a sweet time during the Ice Cream Festival at Rockwood Park & Museum. The event serves up ice cream, food trucks, entertainment, museum tours, over 40 marketplace vendors, carnival games, beer and wine garden, and more fun. Parking and shuttle are available at Rockwood Office Park (501 Carr Road, near Wilmington).
Rockwood Park & Museum (4651 Washington St. Extension, near Wilmington) from 1 to 9 p.m. June 28. Visit newcastlede.gov or (302) 395-5555.
Delaware State Fair 2025, Harrington
Where else can you eat fried Oreos, watch pigs race and catch a comedy show by the juggernaut Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias? There’s nothing like the Delaware State Fair and its 10 days of entertainment.
If comedy and concerts are your thing, this year’s lineup on the M&T Bank Grandstand features headliners Riley Green (July 19), Fluffy (July 20), Blues Traveler, Gin Blossoms & Spin Doctors (July 21), CeCe Winans (July 22), Gavin Adcock (July 23) Russell Dickerson with Niko Moon (July 24), T.I. (July 25) and Big & Rich (July 26).
Aside from concerts, two other mainstage events are Harness racing Harness Racing (July 17) and the Demolition Derby (July 18).
The fair is also known for oodles of amusement rides, games, animals, vendors and other attractions. Not to mention, it usually has weird food like deep-fried Oreos and fried gator.
Delaware State Fair (18500 S. Dupont Highway, Harrington) July 17 to 26. General admission tickets are up to $10 in person or $10.50 (online). Concerts on the Grandstand are extra, and prices vary. Visit delawarestatefair.com or call (302) 398-3269.
Middletown Old-Tyme Peach Festival 2025, Middletown
Middletown has a fuzzy memory that it can blame on its Old-Tyme Peach Festival. The 32nd annual festival offers more low-hanging fruit in downtown to give folks a juicy time with a parade, food, pie-eating contest, historical exhibits, music, games, lots of peaches and more.
The festival begins with the parade at 8:45 a.m. on Broad Street.
The festival will be held downtown Middletown near Broad Street from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 16. Visit middletownpeachfestival.com or call (302) 378-7466.
If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.
Delaware
*Update – Suspect in Custody* State Police Investigating Home Invasion in Georgetown – Delaware State Police – State of Delaware
Date Posted: Friday, May 29th, 2026
The Delaware State Police have arrested 44-year-old Robert Berry from Millsboro, Delaware for a home invasion that occurred in Georgetown.
On May 15, 2026, at approximately 10:30 a.m., troopers responded to the 24000 block of Lawson Road in Georgetown for a panic alarm activation reported by a home security vendor. Troopers arrived and learned that the 83-year-old female victim had activated her panic alarm after an unknown male suspect, forced his way into her home as she opened her front door. Once inside, the suspect pointed a handgun at her and demanded to see another unknown person he believed was inside the residence. The victim was able to lock herself in a bedroom and activate her panic alarm while the suspect searched through the residence before leaving in an unknown direction. The victim was not injured.
Through investigative means, detectives identified Robert Berry as the suspect and obtained a warrant for his arrest.
On May 28, 2026, Berry was arrested and taken to Troop 4, where he was charged with the crimes listed below, arraigned by Justice of the Peace Court 2, and committed to Sussex Correctional Institution on a $166,000 cash bond.
- Attempt to Commit Robbery 1st Degree (Felony)
- Home Invasion Burglary 1st Degree (Felony)
- Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
- Possess, Purchase, Own, or Control a Firearm/Destructive Weapon if Previously Convicted of Two Violent Felonies on Separate
Occasions (Felony) - Aggravated Menacing (Felony)
Disclaimer: Any individual charged in this release is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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How to report a crime to Delaware Crime Stoppers
This video details what Delaware Crime Stoppers is and how to report a crime. 8/25/23
A 49-year-old Hartly man died after hanging himself in a holding cell at Delaware State Police Troop 3 in Camden, authorities said.
“Video surveillance confirmed that while detained alone in a temporary holding cell at Troop 3, [the suspect] used a shoelace to commit suicide by hanging,” state police said in a May 28 statement. “When troopers found [him], they attempted lifesaving efforts, but he was pronounced dead a short time later.”
Police did not immediately respond to a late May 28 email seeking information on custody protocols or whether the suspect appeared suicidal.
In a May 28 press release, police said troopers were responding to a report of a domestic assault at a home on Misty Way in the Hartly-area about 8 p.m. on May 27.
Before troopers arrived, they were notified that the man had left the residence in his girlfriend’s vehicle. Police said he had an active arrest warrant stemming from a previous incident at the same location on May 22.
The vehicle was spotted by a Delaware State Police helicopter and a chase began, police said.
The chase crossed into Maryland, then returned to Delaware before ending at the residence on Misty Way, police said.
There, police said he initially refused orders to get out of the vehicle, and when he finally did, he resisted further orders from troopers.
Police said he assaulted a DSP canine they deployed. When he was eventually taken into custody, police took him to an area hospital for evaluation of injuries sustained from the dog apprehension.
The Hartly man was released from the hospital on the morning of May 28 and taken to Troop 3, where police said he was charged with several crimes, including strangulation for the May 22 incident and resisting arrest with violence and second-degree assault on a law enforcement animal for the May 27 incident.
Police said he hanged himself while being held at Troop 3, but did not specify when it occurred.
The Delaware State Police Homicide Unit, along with the Delaware Department of Justice’s Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust, are investigating.
Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com. This is a developing story. Return to delawareonline.com for updates.
Why Should Delaware Care?
Earlier this month, a new report found that Delaware is among the top states for math proficiency recovery rates since the COVID pandemic. Although four school districts were highlighted for their progress, all education officials have noted that more work needs to be done to meet their pre-pandemic proficiency levels.
Six years after COVID began, Delaware students still have not returned to their pre-pandemic proficiency rates for reading and math, according to new test scores from the state’s youngest learners.
But many are making progress.
The results from the 2026 Education Scorecard – a large-scale academic study of federal and state testing data by Harvard and Stanford researchers – placed Delaware fourth out of 38 states in math recovery and in the top half of states in reading between 2022 and 2025. Additionally, a handful of school districts – Appoquinimink, Brandywine, Seaford, and Woodbridge – were reported to be among the top 500 in the country for math gains during those three years.
Brandywine and Appoquinimink also were recognized as being among the top reading performers.
Still, no Delaware district has bounced back to match their pre-pandemic math or reading scores.
The report comes as Delaware schools for years have been dogged by low standardized test scores and high rates of chronic absenteeism. And, despite the modest rebounds, education officials say continued growth is needed to get students back to their pre-pandemic proficiency levels.
“Delaware students are still working to recover from the academic disruption of the pandemic, especially in reading,” Delaware Secretary of Education Cindy Marten said in a statement. “That is exactly why Delaware has a strategic plan, why we are focused on early literacy, and why implementation, accountability, and support for districts must remain our priority.”
Stephanie Ingram, president of the state’s educators’ union, pointed toward a need to update Delaware’s public education funding system in order to achieve scores that mirror pre-pandemic proficiency rates.
“If we want to reach – and exceed – pre-pandemic levels of student achievement, then it’s time to replace our post-World War II education funding system with a formula that delivers support where it’s needed most, so every child truly has an opportunity to succeed,” she said.
Focusing on growth, addressing absenteeism
Although Brandywine was one of two school districts that outperformed others in math and reading, Superintendent Lisa Lawson says the district is “absolutely not” where it wants to be in terms of proficiency.
“I do appreciate that we are growing faster in order to get there, but we have miles to go before we sleep,” Lawson said.
She said part of the way to match and surpass pre-pandemic levels is to ensure that students are in school every day.
“When you’re missing 20 or more days in the school year, there isn’t even a chance that we’re going to get you to where you need to be on grade level,” Lawson said.
In 2022, the Brandywine School District had a 29% chronic absenteeism rate, according to the Education Scorecard data. It dropped to just under 16% in 2025.
The United States Department of Education defines chronic absenteeism as a student missing 10% or more of school in a year.
While absenteeism is still above pre-pandemic rates, Lawson said the district will continue to work with organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club, to ensure students are coming to school.
Breaking down the math
Like the Brandywine School District, Seaford students’ proficiency levels also rose substantially in recent years.
Seaford Director of Instruction Kirsten Jennette credits the increase in part to the district’s efforts to use “illustrative math,” which helps students better understand concepts rather than just step-by-step math processes.
In kindergarten, Seaford students use “math vocabulary,” Jennette said.
“They’re talking about math, they are deeply manipulating and learning about the concept,” she said.
Seaford Superintendent Sharon DiGirolamo said the illustrative style helps students better understand the concept of multiplication or addition as they go through higher grade levels.
“As they get older they start to see that multiplication is just a really fast way of adding,” she said.
The district also saw improvements in its chronic absenteeism rate, which decreased from 29.7% to 8.7% between 2022 and 2025.
‘The beauty and the danger of a scorecard’
In recent years, Delawareans across the political spectrum have grown increasingly frustrated with the state’s education spending compared to students’ test scores.
During a legislative budget committee hearing in March, State Sen. Dave Lawson (R-Marydel) noted his appreciation for Marten’s work, but said he has heard proclamations about improving metrics for the last 14 years, and test scores have still declined.
“So if [performance metrics] aren’t accomplished, what are going to be your actions?” he asked Marten during the meeting. “Are you still going to be secretary?”
For the districts that are not among the top performers, there is a concern that their scores could be weaponized against them if the district goes out for a referendum request.
The fear of weaponization exists in districts, such as Indian River, which saw mixed results on the Education Scorecard. The district’s math score showed improvement between 2022 and 2025, but reading scores declined.
Blair Catlin Brown, president of the district’s educators’ union, said the reading score decline cannot be attributed to just one reason.
While all districts worked toward pre-pandemic proficiency levels, Catlin Brown said her district was also in deficit spending. Those results create a Catch-22: taxpayers may feel less inclined to support a struggling district, but that would lead to deeper cuts that would only further inflame issues.
She said Indian River educators knew a future referendum would not pass, and they were left waiting for decisions regarding which staff members and programs would be cut.
“That just creates a feeling of unease, dissatisfaction, feeling like you’re not being valued, because at the same time we don’t stop working hard,” Catlin Brown said.
At the same time, the district was working toward incorporating a new curriculum that focused on the science of reading.
In August 2022, then-Gov. John Carney signed House Bill 304 into law, which prioritized the science of reading and required all public school students in kindergarten through third grade to participate in a screening three times a year to identify potential reading challenges.
Catlin Brown said the district did find a curriculum aligned with the science of reading, but acknowledged that it can take several years before a district sees improvement from a new curriculum.
She also said that reports, such as the Education Scorecard, do not show community members how hard teachers are working to get to pre-pandemic levels and higher, or that the district has recently updated and enhanced its curriculum.
“That’s the beauty and the danger of a scorecard,” she said.
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