Delaware Deaf Fest community event set Sept. 23

Delaware Deaf Fest ’23 will be hosted by the Delaware Deaf Senior Citizens organization from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 23, in the Hope Center at Mariner’s Bethel Church, 81 Central Ave., Ocean View.

The daylong festival will celebrate deaf culture and American Sign Language. Proceeds from the event will support deaf and hard-of-hearing students in Delaware schools.

There will be food trucks, deaf-themed craft activities for children, a deaf mime performer, American Sign Language mini classes, raffle baskets, a bake sale and presentations. Vendor tables will include community resources, and deaf artists and businesses.

Deaf Fest will be a day to raise awareness about the deaf community and promote interaction with deaf people, and businesses and organizations owned by or run for deaf people. The day coincides with the International Week of Deaf People, which is celebrated worldwide and endorsed by the World Federation of the Deaf.

Delaware Deaf Senior Citizens is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that represents the growing number of deaf citizens in the area. It was established in 2015 to enhance the well-being of deaf and hard-of-hearing senior citizens, improve communication access, and increase awareness about the deaf community and American Sign Language.

DDSC extends thanks to the many area businesses and organization sponsors that make the inaugural Deaf Fest possible.

For more information, email Barbara Simpson, Deaf Fest ’23 chair, at deldeaffest@gmail.com.