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PLAN NOW FOR AMAZING 4TH OF JULY EVENTS 

Delaware is celebrated as The First State because of the date of its founding and also because there’s a deep appreciation for our fascinating history – which of course makes the 4th of July one of our most celebrated holidays. 

 

IF YOU’RE NEAR WILMINGTON . . . 

 

Events on the Wilmington Riverfront are going to be big and bold as always. The spectacular fireworks show starts at 9:30 pm., but it caps off a day-long celebration at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park at French Street and Rosa Parks Drive. Beginning at 2 p.m., there will be tours of Delaware’s Tall Ship, the Kalmar Nyckel https://www.kalmarnyckel.org/, a petting zoo and pony rides, mini-train rides, sports games, balloon art and face painting, with all kinds of food and merchandise vendors.

 

There will also be wonderful live music from 2 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with rap music by Young Seda, rock tunes from the Dustin Manucci Trio, jazz from Sharon and Shawn, country music from Jovon Newman, groovy funk from The Sermon and R&B from Best Kept Secret – with the Craig Satchell Experience, featuring a yet-undisclosed music repertoire as the final musical event leading up to the fireworks. Get all of the details – including road closures and parking tips, at https://riverfrontwilm.com/celebrate-4th-of-july-at-the-riverfront/. 

 

There’s more good news for fireworks fans, with multiple spots upstate featuring pyrotechnic feats, including:

 

  • Steam train rides on the Wilmington & Western Railroad, departing from the Greenbank Station and traveling to Hockessin for the fireworks celebration. Reservations are required for this four hour event and details are at https://www.wwrr.com/ride/events/fireworks/.

 

 

IF YOU’RE NEAR DOVER . . . 

 

The 4th is also a major event in Dover, our state capital, with a full day of activities for adults and kids.

 

  • From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. First State Heritage Park will offer tours of the John Bell House, Legislative Hall, and the Old State House, along with one that will spotlight Delaware’s role in the American Revolution.

 

  • Free admission all day to The Biggs Museum, which showcases American art from the Mid-Atlantic region from the 1700s to today and hands-on creative activities for kids.

 

  • From 4 p.m. to 8:45 p.m., music from DJ Giz and vendors around Legislative Mall.

 

  • At 6 p.m., a 4th of July parade, organized by the American Legion Walter L. Fox Post No. 2 that begins at Hazel Street, with floats, fire trucks, marchers and antique and classic cars along with music from the United States Marching Band.

 

  • At 7 p.m. a Peach Pie Eating Contest organized by Delaware’s own Fifer Orchards.

 

  • At 8 p.m. a Legislative Hall Ceremony with remarks from Dover’s mayor.

 

  • And at 9:15 a spectacular fireworks display.

 

Get all of the details about this day-long event at https://dover4thofjuly.com/index.html. 

 

IF YOU’RE DOWN SOUTH NEAR THE BEACHES . . . 

 

The fireworks in Berlin will blast off at Heron Park beginning around 9:15 p.m. 

 

In Milford, the Milford Historical Society will start its Fourth of July Parade downtown at 11 a.m.

 

In Laurel the Silver Heart Band and Distilled Grace Band will perform in Janosik Park beginning at 2 p.., with food vendors and a cornhole tournament beginning at 5:30 p.m. The parade starts at 7 p.m. and lines up on Evergreen Drive at 6 p.m.

 

Beautiful and historic downtown Milton will be celebrating all day, beginning at 10 a.m. with the “Bring Mayberry Back to Milton” festival at Milton Memorial Park with all kinds of old fashioned games and Delaware’s largest water balloon fight. From 3 to 4 p.m. the Downtown Dixieland Band will perform at the park. And at 4:30 you can head over to Dogfish Brewery, where DJs will spin vintage vinyl records amid an impressive array of brews for sale.

 

As always Lewes will go big for the 4th with old fashioned family games on Second Street beginning at 9 a.m. At 1:30 p.m. participants in the Lewes Independence Day Boat Parade will leave from Roosevelt Inlet and travel down the canal to Fisherman’s Wharf, just below the drawbridge, to be judged and admired at around 2 p.m. At 5 p.m. you can line up to watch the beloved Doo Dah Parade, which begins around Lloyd’s Market on Savannah Road and heads toward Second Street and back. 

 

Capping the day is the fabulous Go Fourth Fireworks Display over Lewes Beach. It starts around 9 p.m. but if you’re headed there by car you need to arrive much earlier. Better yet, carpool or park and ride your bike, because there will be big crowds and a lot of traffic. Get the details on how to enjoy it all in the easiest way at https://gofourthlewes.org/info-and-viewing. 

 

In Rehoboth, a massive fireworks display will be visible all along the beach and the boardwalk on July 6th beginning around 9:30 p.m. Prior to that, head over to the Bandstand at 8 p.m. for a performance by The Funsters.

 

And in Bethany Beach the 4th will once again be an all-day affair, with a parade beginning at noon, a concert featuring The 1974, and fireworks at dusk. Get all of the details, including transportation options, at https://www.townofbethanybeach.com/273/Fourth-of-July.