Resort residents and visitors are bidding farewell to summer this week, ringing out the busy season for 2007 with the traditional Jazz Funeral on the Bethany Beach boardwalk. But with the season’s unofficial passing also comes the start of the time many look forward to even more than summer — fall, and the second or “shoulder” season.
Fall 2007 looks to be another banner year for the resort area, with even more events and opportunities for residents and visitors alike to step out and enjoy all the area has to offer.
It all kicks off Saturday, with the annual Bethany Beach Boardwalk Arts Festival, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., right on the boardwalk. Artists and crafters will display their work and offer many pieces for sale, with a backdrop of live music and the beach, and there will be a silent auction to benefit art programs at local elementary schools.
From there, things slide comfortably into second gear, with events ranging from triathlons, fishing and golf to even more arts, entertainment and holiday fun.
• Aug. 31 – Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral Silent Auction, at Bethany Blues restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue, 3-5 p.m. Silent auction with refreshments to benefit Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Delaware.
• Aug. 31-Sept. 2 – Labor Day Weekend Art & Crafts Festival, Ocean City Convention Center, 40th Street and the Bay; an unusual mix of hand-crafted wares, including original oils and watercolors, stained glass, ceramics, candles and other unusual gift and household items. Friday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, contact Ahastings@go-signs.com.
• Sept. 1-2 – Labor Day Weekend Concerts, Ocean City, N. Division St. Beach; Enjoy free concerts on the beach. Bring a blanket or chair and enjoy the holiday weekend beside the ocean. For more information, call 800-OC-OCEAN.
• Sept. 2 – Inaugural Dewey Beach Lions Club 5K, a 3.1 mile run/walk starting at 8 a.m. and finishing at Northbeach Restaurant in Dewey Beach. For more information, visit www.races2run.com.
• Sept. 3 – Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral, north end of the boardwalk, 5:30 p.m. Mourners of the passing of “Summer of 2007” parade to the bandstand, jazz-funeral style, to the sounds of two Dixieland bands. Lifeguards take their celebratory swim around 5:45 p.m.
• Sept. 7-9 – Delaware Coast Antiques Show and Sale at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. For information, call (302) 542-3286.
• Sept. 8-9 — The 30th annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow; the annual powwow event brings Native Americans and others from around the country to Millsboro to enjoy two days of dance, food, music, arts, crafts, clothing, jewelry and culture; Saturday hours are noon to 7 p.m.; Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Grand Entry will be Saturday at noon, with a second dance session at 3:30 p.m. Sunday’s session begins with an outdoor worship service at 10 a.m. and Grand Entry and dancing at 1:30 p.m.; all-day parking, including admission, costs $8 per car; walk-in admission is $2; $5 for motorcycles; $25 for buses plus $2 for each passenger. Call (302) 945-7022 or visit www.nanticokeindians.org for more information.
• Sept. 8 — 31st Bottle & Cork Ten Mile Run & 5K Run Walk, part of the 7 Sisters and Four Brothers of Dewey Beach Running/Walking Series; Ruddertowne, 8 a.m.; for additional information call (302) 654-6400 or visit www.races2run.com.
• Sept. 8 — Annual Chocolate Tasting, Biden Environmental Center, Cape Henlopen State Park; 1-4 p.m. Sponsored by Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park. For more information, call 877-465-3937.
• Sept. 8 — Parade of Ponds, garden ponds throughout Lewes, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; for more information, call 877-465-3937.
• Sept. 11-16 — Polka Motion 2007 Polka Music/Festival at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center; advance tickets or more information can be found at www.rbpolka.com or contact Mike Ziemski at (410) 526-4744.
• Sept. 13-16 — Delmarva Bike Week, at Ocean Downs Racetrack, outside Ocean City, Md.; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday; admission is free; for additional information, visit www.delmarvabikeweek.com or call (410) 629-1560.
• Sept. 15 – 11th Annual Dewey Beach Triathlon. For more information, visit www.deweybeachtriathlon.com.
• Sept. 15 – Annual Delaware Pride Festival at Cape Henlopen State Park and Gordon’s Pond State Park, noon to 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.delawarepride.org.
• Sept. 14-16 — Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show at Ocean City Convention Center, 40th Street & the Bay; 14-karat and sterling jewelry, pearls, beads, loose stones, remounts and more; Friday, noon to 7 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sept. 16 — Make-A-Wish Sea Colony Triathlon, to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation; includes individuals and relay teams tackling a .5-kilometer (.9 mile) ocean swim, a 36-kilometer (21.7 mile) scenic bike ride, and a 10-kilometer (6.2 mile) run, for which they raise pledge monies; volunteers and spectators come out by the hundreds to cheer on the athletes as they swim along the Sea Colony beach, and bike and run along Coastal Highway; more information at www.midatlantic.wish.org.
• Sept. 17 – LDAF/Artisans’ Bank Beach Classic Golf Tournament at Baywood Greens. Lower Delaware Autism Foundation’s Golf Tournament benefits individuals in Sussex County with autism. Foursome and sponsorship opportunities available. Details and registration at www.ldaf.com.
• Sept. 19 – “Go Red For Women”; American Heart Association fashion show and luncheon at Baywood Greens. Begins at noon. Sponsored by Beebe Medical Center. For more information or tickets call Nancy Cummings at (302) 645-3221.
• Sept. 20-21 – Sandcastle Home Tour, Ocean City area; Ten unique Ocean City area homes on display in this third annual event. Tickets required. For more information: (410) 524-9433 or www.artleagueofoceancity.org.
• Sept. 20-23 – “Six Rooms: An Evening of One-Act Plays by Tennessee Williams” presented by Clear Space Productions. Showtimes: Sept. 20-22 at 7 p.m., Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. All shows at the Little Theater/Cape Henlopen High. Details at www.ClearSpaceProductions.org.
• Sept. 20-23 — Sunfest, in Ocean City’s Inlet Parking Lot; fine art, crafts, performers on two stages and a variety of food vendors; fall children’s activities include pumpkin decorating and scarecrow making; evening headline entertainers require ticket, available on Ticketmaster.com, at 800-551-7328 or Convention Center Box Office; headline ticketed entertainment includes The Hubcaps, Josh Gracin & Heartland and Wayne Newton; hours: Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; ride the bus to Sunfest by using satellite parking or West Ocean City Park & Ride; shuttle from Park & Ride costs $1 all day and parking is free.
• Sept. 20-23 — Sunfest Kite Festival, 7th Street to N. Division Street beaches boardwalk, Ocean City; four days filled with kite flying, children’s workshop, kite battles and sport-kite competition; 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. For more information, visit www.kiteloft.com.
• Sept. 21-22 — Elvis Festival, Ruddertowne, Dewey Beach; featuring two days of Elvis Impersonators competing for $5,000 in cash; visit deweybeachlife.com for more information.
• Sept. 21 – Rehoboth Senior Beach Day, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., downtown Rehoboth Beach. “A Celebration for Mature Adults Age 50+.” For more information call (302) 856-5187.
• Sept. 21-23 — Berlin Fiddlers Convention in Berlin, Md.; national bluegrass recording artists and local musicians compete for more than $3,000 in cash prizes; food and craft vendors; free concerts Friday, 7-10 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon; competition, Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.; free bluegrass gospel concert at Taylor House Museum lawn, Sunday, 9-11 a.m.; for more information, visit www.berlinmdcc.org.
• Sept. 24-25 – Rehoboth Beach Block Party. Annual Rehoboth Beach Block Party on Baltimore Avenue, benefiting the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. Event will take place rain or shine, 4-7 p.m. For more information, visit www.ymcade.org.
• Sept. 27-30 — Annual Dewey Beach Music Conference, three nights of showcases and two days of demo and mentoring sessions, tradeshow and industry meet-and-greet events. Details at www.deweybeachlife.com.
• Sept. 28 – Meals on Wheels Golf Tournament at the Rehoboth Beach Country Club – entry fee includes golf, goody bag, prizes, beverages on course, lunch with open bar, etc. Single entry, $150, team, $550. For more information, call (302) 645-7449 or visit www.beachmeals.com.
• Sept. 28-29 – Winefest on the Beach, Ocean City Inlet Parking Lot; Wine samplings, arts and crafts, live entertainment and food. Admission charge. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, contact Chris Noke at (410) 280-3306 or visit www.winefest.com.
• Sept. 29 – Bethany Beach Fire Company Texas Hold’Em Tournament. Hosted by the Bethany Beach Fire Company, located at Hollywood Street and Coastal Highway. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and seating is at 7 p.m.; 1,000 in chips plus 500/500; starting level 10/20; first place up to $2,000. Total prize payouts up to $8,000 based on player participation. Refreshments available. For more information and registration call Mike Suit at (302) 462-6858.
• Sept. 29 – 7th Annual FunFest sponsored by Beebe Medical Center Auxiliary at WinSwept Stables, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free.
• Sept. 29-30 – MS 150 Bike to the Bay. To register for the 2007 MS 150 Bike to the Bay call (302) 655-5610 or visit www.msdelaware.org.
• Sept. 30 – 5th Annual Celebrity Chefs’ Beach Brunch presented by WSFS Bank to benefit Meals on Wheels. Food by 25 top area chefs, fine wines and cocktails, unique silent auction, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Baycenter in Ruddertowne. Tickets: $95 ($65 is tax deductible). Visit www.beachbrunch.com for more information and to order or call (302) 65-MEALS.
• Sept. 30 – Clear Space Productions presents new artist concert. Tara McCredie, mezzo-soprano, performs arias, art songs and standards, 2 p.m. More information at (302) 644-3810, www.ClearSpaceProductions.org.
• Oct. 4-7 – Rehoboth Christmas Shop. Annual pre-holiday event featuring more than 22 booths of holiday merchandise. Held at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. For more information, call (302) 227-7202 or visit www.allsaints-rehoboth.org.
• Oct. 4-7 — Endless Summer Cruisin, in Ocean City’s Inlet Parking Lot; car show features 1,500 hotrods, customs, classics; live entertainment, commercial vendors and special attractions; hours: Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; for more information, visit www.specialeventpro.com.
• Oct. 5 – Family Campfire on the Beach, 130th Street, Ocean City, on the Beach; a family night of fun with an old-fashioned campfire. Entertainment, storytelling, music and refreshments. S’mores and hot chocolate offered. Bring beach blankets, warm clothes and the whole family for a night out on the beach. 6 p.m. Call (410) 250-0125 for more information.
• Oct. 5-7 – 31st Annual Fall Sidewalk Sale-Rehoboth/Dewey Area. For more information call the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce at 800-441-1329, ext. 12.
• Oct. 5-7 – Greyhounds Reach the Beach; annual visit by greyhounds and their owners to Dewey Beach; for more information log on to www.adopt-a-greyhound.org.
• Oct. 5-14 – “The Pirates of Penzance,” a fall comedy presented by Possum Point Players. Shows: Oct. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14. For tickets or more information, call (302) 856-4560 or visit www.possumpointplayers.org.
• Oct. 5-7 — Oktoberfest, at Ocean City Convention Center; three full days of continuous entertainment, including Jolly Joe & the Bavarians, the Pennsylvania Villagers and Enzian Volkstanzgruppe Dancers; schnitzels, wursts and barrels of bier; Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arts & Craft Fair, with more than 100 exhibitors displaying holiday items, gifts, fine art: Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information: www.oceanpromotions.info.
• Oct. 6 – Boast the Coast Maritime Festival and Lighted Boat Parade, venues on both sides of the Canal, Lewes, 11 a.m. to dusk.
• Oct. 6-7 – Chesapeake Celtic Festival; Furnace Town Living Heritage Museum, Snow Hill; Border Collies, music and dance on three performance areas, pipe bands, clan booths, lectures, Celtic marketplace and food court. Admission charge. 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, contact Kathy Fisher at (410) 632-2032, or visit www.celticfest.net.
• Oct. 6-7 – Maryland State Numismatic Association Coin Show, Ocean City Convention Center, 40th Street and the Bay; more than 70 dealers offer gold, silver, U.S. and foreign coins, jewelry, medals and more. Educational exhibits and club meetings. Free admission. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call (443) 623-7025 or visit www.coinshows.com for more information.
• Oct. 7 — Coast Day and Coast Day Crab Cake Cook Off, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., sponsored by the University of Delaware College of Marine Studies and the Delaware Sea Grant College Program, at University of Delaware Hugh R. Sharp Campus, 700 Pilottown Road, Lewes; admission is free, parking $2; for information, call (302) 645-4346 or e-mail rbaty@cms.udel.edu.
• Oct. 7 — Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra Performance, “The Beauty of Melancholy,” Mariner’s Bethel Church in Ocean View, 3 p.m. For more information, visit www.midatlanticsymphony.org.
• Oct. 10-14 — 18th Annual Rehoboth Beach Autumn Jazz Festival, bringing jazz musicians and fans from around the area to Dewey Beach and Rehoboth Beach venues. Call 1-800-29-MUSIC or visit rehobothjazz.com for information.
• Oct. 12-13 – 14th Apple-Scrapple Festival, downtown Bridgeville; entertainment, crafters and food vendors, “Scrapple Toss” and scrapple carving contest. Saturday, festival opens at 4 p.m. for carnival, food court and street dance only. Sunday, open at 9 a.m. For more information, call (302) 337-7135 or (302) 337-7275 or visit www.applescrapple.com.
• Oct. 13 – Friends of the South Coastal Library Harvest Ball, to benefit the FOSCL Capital Campaign for the South Coastal Library expansion; 6-11 p.m., black-tie optional; dinner, live music, silent auctions, live auctions; tickets $150 each, $1,000 for table for eight, $1,250 for table for 10. For more information or tickets contact Joan Thomas at (302) 539-1367 or joanandcoach@mchsi.com.
• Oct. 13-14 – Free State Corvette Club Weekend, Ocean City Inlet Parking Lot; 21st gathering of Corvette enthusiasts. Car shows and road rallies. Boardwalk parade Saturday, 4:30 p.m. Car show, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call (410) 590-5630 or visit www.freestatecorvette.com.
• Oct. 15 — Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Fall Golf Outing, at Cripple Creek Golf & Country Club; for more information, visit www.bethany-fenwick.org.
• Oct. 19-21 — 4th Annual Rocktober Fishing Tournament and Festival at Indian River Marina; more than $24,000 in cash prizes and a weekend of fishing and festival fun; prizes will be awarded in categories for rockfish, flounder and tautog; for further information, visit www.rocktoberfishing.org.
• Oct. 20 – Lower Delaware Autism Foundation’s Blue Jean Ball – Fall Art Show. Wear your blue jeans and bling to this fall art show. Original works of art for sale from local artist and a live art auction benefiting individuals with autism, plus a chance to win a plasma TV. Get raffle and admission tickets at www.ldaf.com.
• Oct. 20 – 2nd Dewey Beach two-person/four-person relay marathon. Seven Sisters & Four Brothers of Dewey Beach running walking series 2007, visit www.races2run.com/sisters for more information.
• Oct. 26-28 — 17th Annual Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddlers Festival; a highlight of the fall season for the entire area, with a Halloween parade, fiddlers’ competition and performances, and fall fun for the entire family, in and around Rehoboth Beach; call 800-441-1329, ext. 12, or visit www.beach-fun.com for information.
• Oct. 26-28 – Children’s Fantasy Trail, Cape Henlopen State Park; Oct. 26-27, 6-8:30 p.m.; Oct. 28, 5-7 p.m. For more information, call 877-465-3937.
• Oct. 27 – Seaside 10 Mile and 5k Run, Ocean City; Runners from around the country enjoy this fall run through Ocean City. Complete the 10-mile race or the 5K Fun Run. Race headquarters is the Inlet Lot. Both races begin at 9 a.m. For more information, call (410) 250-0125 or 800-OC-OCEAN.
• Oct. 27 – Swing for Youth Golf Open, Eagle’s Landing Golf Course; four-player Florida scramble with best two balls out of four. Benefits O.C. Recreation Boosters, which earmark all funds for youth recreation programs. For more information, contact Bob Croll at 800-283-3846 or Rcroll@ococean.com.
• Oct. 28 – Halloween Spook-out Party, Northside Park Complex, 125th Street and the Bay, Ocean City; participants of all ages can have a howling good time with events that include carnival games, arts and crafts, hayrides, snacks and much more. Costume contests scheduled throughout the event; 1-3 p.m. For more information, call (410) 250-0125.
• Nov. 2-4 — Punkin Chunkin World Championships; Delaware’s most unique sport in the final year in its traditional location outside Millsboro, at the intersection of Routes its first year at a new location east of Bridgeville. Competitors will aim to shoot their gourds the farthest possible with a variety of contraptions and canons; chili cook-off; food and music; admission: $7 per person and $2 for parking; for more information: www.punkinchunkin.com.
• Nov 3. – “Holly Day” Annual Holiday Fair at the Rehoboth Art League, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donation: $2 (includes one raffle ticket). Visit more than 40 juried artists exhibiting fine arts and crafts and holiday-inspired gifts. Participate in a raffle and silent auction of art works. www.rehobothartleague.org.
• Nov. 3-4 – Fallfest of Fine Art, Ocean City Convention Center, 40th Street and the Bay; juried show features fine art painters, sculptors and mixed-media high crafts. Admission charge. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; for more information, contact Donald A. Hastings at (410) 524-9177, or visit www.donaldsduckshoppe.com.
• Nov. 3-4 – Christmas Craft Expo; Ocean City Convention Center, 40th Street and the Bay; juried arts and crafts show. Admission charge; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Donald A. Hastings at (410) 524-9177 or visit www.donaldsduckshoppe.com.
• Nov. 7-11 — 10th Annual Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival; award-winning independent film festival takes over Rehoboth theaters for several days, offering viewing opportunities not usually available in the area or in many areas, with about 100 films, seminars and celebrity guests; visit rehobothfilm.com for information.
• Nov. 15 to Jan. 1 — Winterfest of Lights, Ocean City, townwide, including Inlet lot and Northside Park, 127th Street; dazzling lights on cold winter nights to put everyone in a holiday mood; Yukon Cornelius’ gift shop, photos with Santa; small fee to ride tram, children 11 years or younger, free; Sundays through Thursdays, 5:30-9:30 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays, 5:30-10:30 p.m.; for more information: www.ococean.com.
• Nov. 15-Dec.31 – Carousel Winter Wonderland, Carousel Resort Hotel, 118th Street, Ocean City; dazzling holiday decorations, indoor ice skating rink open to the public. Admission to the ice skating rink includes skates. Monday-Friday, 4-9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 800-641-0011 or visit www.carouselhotel.com for more information.
• Nov. 23-24 — 13th Annual South Eastern Delaware Artists Studio Tour (SEDAST), opening to the public the doors of the studios of local artists in a wide variety of media; for more information, visit www.artstudiotour.com.
• Nov. 23-25 – Holiday Shopper’s Fair, Ocean City Convention Center, 40th Street and the Bay; shopping extravaganza with quality crafts, photography, florals, wrought iron, jewelry, Nascar items, toys and more. Door prizes, children’s activities and a non-shoppers lounge. Admission charge. Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Janice Cropper at (410) 723-8605 or Jcropper@ococean.com.
• Nov. 23-Jan. 2 – Rehoboth Boardwalk Lights Up for the Holidays and Santa’s House; more information at www.beach-fun.com.
• Dec. 7 — Selbyville Christmas Parade, Church Street, Selbyville; this parade opens the local holiday season with marching bands, antique cars, beauty queens, elaborate floats and Santa Claus.
• Dec. 1 — Ocean City Christmas Parade, 125th Street to 115th Street, Coastal Highway; professionally judged parade with bands, floats, marching units; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Dec. 3 — Rehoboth Beach Hometown Christmas Parade along Rehoboth Avenue, beginning at 6 p.m.; line-up starts at 4 p.m.; parade entrants are judged, with prizes awarded at the Christmas party immediately following the parade at the Rehoboth Convention Center; youngsters can chat with Santa and light refreshments will be served; groups and individuals wanting entry information should call the Hometown Parade voice mail at (302) 441-8615.