Delaware
ππ»π¬ Welcome to our 2024 Halloween Guide π¬π»π
Halloween is making a statement everywhere right now.
End caps of grocery stores overflow with bags of candy corn and mini chocolate bars. Skeletons and witches loom throughout the neighborhood, and farms, bars, breweries, museums and other venues are ready to entertain you, scare you silly, or both.
So, whether your idea of Halloween is a trunk or treat with other families, chased with streaming “Hocus Pocus,” or it’s more zombie run and Frightland, we’ve got you:
Right up there with apple-picking, corn mazes and haunted houses, pumpkin-picking has become a fall traditiion for many.
In 2020 alone, as many as 66,200 acres of pumpkins were harvested in the United States, producing over 1.5 billion pounds of pumpkins that year, according to theΒ USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
From the classic orange jack-oβ-lantern to the whimsical Cinderella’s coach, pumpkins are a staple of the season β and many are ripe and ready to be picked.
Hereβs where β and how β you can pick your perfect pumpkin in the First State this fall.
Halloween is just around the corner, and a majority of Americans have begun their planning and shopping for Halloween costumes.
According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated $12.2 billion was spent on Halloween last year across the country, nearly a third of which was spent on costumes, and the shopping wave seems to startΒ earlier and earlier.
Here are some stores around Delaware to look for the perfect costumes and decorations this Halloween season, plus some events and contests that will get the spooky season started.
Itβs about that time of year when Halloween costume planning is starting to set in.Β
If youβre out of classic ideas and looking for something topical and modern, here are some costumes inspired by the happenings of 2024 so that youβre the life of your upcoming Halloween celebration.
Halloween celebrations are filled with plenty of tricks and treats, and while horror-filled fun comes with the season, it may not be suitable for everyone.
Whether you have small kiddos in tow or want something a bit tamer, here are some Halloween celebrations around the state that are perfect for family outings and children of all ages.
Halloween thrill-seekers in Delaware, this spooky season’s events are ready to scare the pants off you, so going commando might not be wise.
Here’s a mix of freaky, witchy and eerie events that will be conjured around the First State, before and after Halloween.
If you thought southern Delaware had a lot of fall events, wait until you see the lineup for Halloween.
You’ll be fighting a candy hangover for months after attending all the parades, haunted houses, fantasy trails and more at or near the Delaware beaches. There’s no shortage of costumed events for adults, children, families, pets and zombies.
Mark your calendars for these events.
Halloween is still just over a month away, but that doesnβt mean itβs too early to start planning this yearβs Halloween party.
Just in time for the spooky season, these Halloween cocktails are unique ways to get into the spirit. IfΒ Sober OctoberΒ is more your speed, itβs even easier to make these into equally refreshing alcohol-free beverages.
Delaware is also home to plenty of cocktail bars and breweries that serve fall-inspired drinks.
Here are some recipes to try at home and some Halloween-inspired brews to look for in Delaware.
There is no replacing trick-or-treating on Halloween. Kids and parents in costume greeting their neighbors and getting their favorite candy creates memories that can last a lifetime.
If you want an earlier start on the Halloween fun, there are some trunk-or-treats around the First State that can get everyone warmed up for holiday itself.
Trunk-or-treats are events where people park their cars and give out candy in a parking lot. Instead of a neighborhood, it’s a lot and instead of houses, it’s car trunks. Community center and churches are common places to see these events.
Grab a bucket, bag or pillowcase, throw on a costume and check out some of these trunk-or-treats in all three Delaware counties right as Halloween season is in full swing.
In the home state of Dogfish Head’s iconic Punkin Ale, craft breweries take fall seriously.
Over the next month, breweries will roll out autumnal-themed events tying all sorts of things β horror comics, candy, brunches and cooking and pet costume contests β to, well, beer, of course.
So grab your favorite flannel and make some plans to celebrate pumpkin season with some of the state’s best beer-makers.
The calendar has turned over to October meaning the clock is ticking for your Halloween preparations.
McDonald’s is ready, according to the Instagram siteΒ @snackolator. The fast food giant is bringing back Boo Buckets.
This Halloween season, forget about ghosts: The scariest thing is what the holiday does to the environment.
According toΒ Waste Managed, Halloween generates a significant amount of waste, from discarded single-use costumes to nondisposable decorations to plastic candy bags.
Luckily, there are several ways to help curb your carbon footprint this year, but also make for fun new traditions for the whole family to enjoy.
Here are a few tricks-slash-treats you can help make for a sustainable and spook-tacular Halloween season.
As Halloween approaches, many revelers are eager to elevate their costumes with makeup but arenβt sure how to achieve their desired looks.
While envisioning a face painted hauntingly white, intricately marked with swirls of black paint, hollow eye sockets and adorned with red petal flowers, they end up with makeup that feels dry, coverage that looks uneven and fades quickly.
However, with the right tools and a bit of practice, anyone can bring their Halloween vision to life.
Whether you’re leaning toward creative glam or venturing into special effects and fantasy looks, Delaware-based makeup artistsΒ Daysla IxtliΒ andΒ Chyna “Chy” GibbsΒ have expert tips to help you nail your spooky transformation.
It’s the spookiest time of the year and, in some cases, the only time you’ll see most of your neighbors.
Halloween is on the horizon, as shown by the holiday displays at local grocery stores, Walmarts and Targets.
Here’s what you need to know about Halloween.
Check out some creepy houses of Halloweens past.
Here are some tips to ensure a safe night of Halloween trick-or-treating.
Delaware
Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas
RADNOR, Pa. – Authorities say a Delaware County school employee is accused of traveling to Texas to sexually assault a minor he met online.
What we know:
Michael Robinson, 43, was taken into custody near Radnor Middle School where investigators say he worked as a paraprofessional.
Investigators believe Robinson traveled to Tyler, Texas in the summer of 2024 to meet a minor he had connected with online.
Robinson, according to U.S. Marshals, allegedly sexually assaulted the teen over the course of a weekend.Β
Delaware County school employee accused of sex assault of minor in Texas
Prosecutors in Smith County, Texas charged Robinson in December with Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child Under 15-years-old.
Robinson is being held at a Delaware County jail where he is awaiting extradition to Texas.
What they’re saying:
U.S. Marshals in Pennsylvania said Robinson’s arrest shows that “sexual predators will always be pursued relentlessly.”
The Radnor Township School District said Robinson has been placed on leave and will not have contact with students.
“Parents of the limited number of children to whom the employee was assigned were contacted by the administration immediately.”
The district said it is cooperating with law enforcement and has “no information indicating misconduct involving district students.”
Delaware
Rehoboth cancels 2026 Polar Bear Plunge after major snowstorm
Lewes Polar Bear Plunge in Rehoboth Beach
Participants flock to the water at the Lewes Polar Bear Plunge, which raises funds for Special Olympics Delaware on Sunday, February 2, 2025.
Rehoboth Beach has canceled the upcoming 2026 Lewes Polar Bear Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge as the Sussex County resort town continues dealing with the aftermath of last weekend’s snowstorm, organizers of the annual Special Olympics fundraiser said on Feb. 26.
“Rehoboth Beach is navigating significant challenges because of the snowstorm,” a Special Olympics Delaware email announced. “At present, the boardwalk and all beach crossings remain snow covered and many sidewalks throughout downtown Rehoboth are as well.”
The plunge and 5K had been rescheduled to March 1 after severe weather conditions in late January caused it to be moved from its original Feb. 1 date.
The plunge will not be rescheduled for this year.
Last weekend’s storm brought nearly 2 feet of snow to parts of Sussex, closing hundreds of roads when trees and wires were downed. There were also power outages across the county, including Rehoboth Beach which had to restore power to its wastewater treatment facility.
Plunging for a cause
The polar bear plunge is one of Special Olympics Delaware’s more popular fundraisers, drawing more than 4,000 participants last year.
In recent years, the event has been bringing in more than a million dollars for Special Olympics Delaware. Last year, plunge events drew $1.3 million, just shy of the record-breaking $1.5 million raised in 2024.
Alex Seymore, Special Olympics Delaware’s director of digital media, said the organization had already raised more than $1 million from this year’s event.
“We expect a small impact,” Seymore told Delaware Online/The News Journal. “But again, we’re showing that we’ve raised over a million dollars.
He added they are reviewing how the cancelation will impact them and their services.
“It’s been just a couple hours, so we’re not completely positive how it will impact things in the long run,” he said. “We’re thankful for everybody that’s helped raise this money through this time.”
What is still occurring
While the plunge and 5k and been canceled this year, there are other indoor events that will continue as scheduled:
Feb. 27
- 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.
Feb. 28
- noon to 2 p.m. βFire & Ice in the Atlantic Sands Ballroom, 1 Baltimore Ave, Rehoboth Beach.
- 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.Β Restaurant chili contest.
- 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. – pick up packets and souvenir sales for the Plunge and 5K Run to the Plunge at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave, Rehoboth Beach.
Send tips or story ideas to Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299 or eparra@delawareonline.com.
Delaware
Trump Accounts for kids; are they available in Delaware?
Watch this quick video for easy tips to lower your energy bills
Watch this quick video for easy tips to lower your energy bills and save money every month. 1/7/26
President Donald Trump touted his Trump Accounts for kids platform during his State of the Union address Tuesday, Feb. 24, months before the savings account program goes live this summer.
Roughly 63% of parents open bank accounts for the newborns and young children according to The Financial Brand, showing that in general, opening a bank accounts for your child is a good idea.
But what, exactly, are Trump Accounts for kids, and does it make sense for you to open one for your child? Here’s everything you need to know.
Trump Account for kids explained
The IRS explained in a memo Trump Accounts will be available for any children under 18, with $1,000 seed money available for newborns and very young children.
That account will be seeded with federal government funds.
“A Trump account is a type of traditional individual retirement account that is established for the exclusive benefit of an eligible individual and that is designated at its establishment as a Trump account,” read the IRS’ Trump Accounts memo. “Upon an election under the pilot program, $1,000 is paid by the Secretary to the Trump account of an eligible child.
“An eligible child means a qualifying child who is born after December 31, 2024 and before January 1, 2029, who is a U.S. citizen, and for whom no prior pilot program election has been made.”
The Trump Accounts website confirms parents do not need to make a contribution, but can deposit up to $5,000 a year into the interest-bearing account.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in comments published Jan. 28 a single $1,000 deposit into a Trump Account at birth should grow to anΒ estimated $500,000 by the age of retirement.
When will Trump Accounts for kids lunch, and can I apply in Delaware?
Trump Accounts for kids will go live on Monday, July 5, and parents in Delaware are allowed to apply for the nationwide offering when it opens.
Until then, you can visit the Trump Accounts website to add your name to the email list to get an update when the service goes live.
The IRS and U.S. Department of the Treasury released Trump Accounts guidance you can read before opening an account.
Problems with Trump Accounts for kids
While opening a Trump Account for your child may seem a good thing, TIME uncovered a few problems with President Donald Trump’s namesake account service.
“The program may be open to every child, but its benefits will flow overwhelmingly to families with the means to contribute thousands of dollars a year. What could have been a leveling tool instead risks becoming a widening wedge between the haves and the have-nots,” read a portion of TIME’s take. “For a family living paycheck-to-paycheck that is unable to add anything beyond the governmentβs $1,000 seed deposit, the balance reaches just $5,839 by age 18. “
The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies echoed much of that sentiment, and said Trump Accounts for kids will have the opposite effect from its stated goals.
Damon C. Williams is a Philadelphia-based journalist reporting on trending topics across the Mid-Atlantic Region.
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