28th Annual Sea Witch Festival Takes Place, Oct. 27-29
Photo by the Sea Witch Festival Web page
“The most popular attraction has to be the costume parade on Saturday followed by the horse promenade and dog parade on Sunday,” Carol Everhart, Rehoboth Beach Chamber of Commerce President, said.
The costume parade begins Saturday at 11 a.m. on fourth street before heading west to State Street and along Rehoboth Avenue. Parking is restricted both along the sidewalk and median here, as well as on 4th street where registration and line-up will take place at 9 a.m. The Woodland String Band will be performing both during the parade and later from 2-2:30 p.m on the boardwalk.
People can attend the festival using satellite parking to take the shuttle to downtown Rehoboth Beach. Shuttles will provide transportation from designated satellite parking locations from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. for $1. Rehoboth Avenue will be closed to all traffic Saturday at 10 a.m. and will reopen following the costume parade at approximately 3 p.m.
“What’s special about the Sea Witch Festival is there’s so many organizations that take part,” Everhart said.
The event also plays host to Delaware State’s Official Fiddler’s Festival Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rehoboth Beach bandstand. There is both an adult as well as a children’s competition for best fiddle, blue grass, banjo playing and mandolin. Performers include Nothin’ But Trouble, Sons of Pirates, No Spare Time, Trailer Grass Orchestra, Blue Cat Blues Band and more.
Everhart said there are over 100 volunteers helping this weekend.
“It takes an army of volunteers to make this,” she said.
The Sea Witch 5k Classic Run and One Mile Fright Walk starts Sunday at 9 a.m in Grove Park. Registration begins as early as 7:30 a.m. The run features cash prizes for best costumes in addition to placement. The Sea Witch Festival also presents the First State Webfooters Walk and Bike ride, a non-competitive 5k or 10k walk as well as a 25k bike ride both days.
Festival goers have the chance to win $200 by doing the Sea Witch Hunt, a scavenger hunt leading participants through town with over 100 clue site locations. Hunters submit their best guess as to where the invisible sea witch is based on the clues provided. The contest is donation based.
Other activities for kids and families include the Tyke bike race on the boardwalk, train rides, old fashioned beach games, the Haunted Graveyard and Spooky Bonfire on Dewey beach, a broom tossing contest, monster art and magic shows in Grove Park, fish printing, marching band performances, pony rides on the beach, Dewey Beach trick or treat, The Great Grub Fest, lantern tours, a children’s fantasy trail and the crab claw treasure hunt.
“We try to add new activities every year,” Everhart said.
The event is produced by the Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.
View the event website for more information and a comprehensive schedule of events.
