Cape Region Fourth of July festivities abound

There's a lot to celebrate this Fourth of July and barely enough time to do it all.

Here are celebrations happening in the Cape Region.

Bringing Mayberry back to Milton

Join Milton in celebrating Independence Day. Festivities are set to begin at 10 a.m. in Milton's Memorial Park with an old-fashioned Picnic in the Park sponsored by the Milton community. Activities for kids of all ages include a dunk tank, sack races, pie-baking contest and games. A bike-decorating contest and bike parade, sponsored by Irish Eyes Pub and Restaurant, will feature the awarding of new bikes to the best entry by a boy and a girl. There will be music and entertainment throughout the day at the Gazebo; the Lions Club Train will run, and food vendors will offer a variety of food. Also look for free ice cream.

The Farmers Market, 3 to 6 p.m., will feature live music and fresh, local produce, meats, seafood, baked goods, dairy items, eggs, plants and other locally made products. Prepared foods will also be available. Bring a cooler to keep your purchases fresh because there will be more entertainment in Memorial Park from 7 to 9 p.m.

A special Fourth of July concert featuring the Footlights performing Big Band Era music and vocals will be presented in the Gazebo beginning at 7 p.m. to round out Milton's hometown Independence Day celebration.

Lewes Celebrates 4th of July

The City of Lewes will continue its tradition of hosting old-fashioned games for children on Second Street beginning at 9 a.m. Second Street will be closed to traffic while the games are in progress but will re-open at their conclusion.

Following the games, the Lewes Independence Day Boat Parade will sail down the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal to Fisherman's Wharf. Parade entrants will leave Roosevelt Inlet across from the Coast Guard Station at 1:30 p.m. and reach the judges' reviewing stand at Fisherman's Wharf about 2 p.m. Former Mayor Jim Ford is this year's honorary grand marshal. Mayor Ted Becker will announce the parade, while members of city council, the presidents of Lightship Overfalls Foundation and Lewes Chamber of Commerce will serve as the judges. This is the 11th year that the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the Overfalls Foundation have jointly sponsored the Independence Day Boat Parade.

All preregistered boat entrants are eligible for prizes, including a hand-carved figurine by local carver Bert Long, a member of the organizing committee. The figurine will be awarded to the most creatively decorated boat. First, second, and third place ribbons will also be awarded. All boat entrants will receive merchandise prizes from the Overfalls Foundation. Boats will be judged on the best use of patriotic decorations.

At the conclusion of the parade at 3:30 p.m., all boat entrants are invited to attend the Awards Ceremony on the deck of the Lightship Overfalls. To be eligible for a prize, the vessel must be registered prior to 10 a.m. July 4. Registration forms are available at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in the Fisher-Martin House in Zwaanendael Park, at Pilottown Marina on Pilottown Road and the Lewes Harbour Marina Bait and Tackle at the end of Anglers Road. For more information, call the Lewes Chamber of Commerce 302- 645- 8073. Late, unregistered entries are invited to join the parade by arriving at the Roosevelt Inlet at 1:30 p.m., tuning a VHF radio to channel 65 and following instructions.

There is no charge to participate in or watch the boat parade. Good viewing spots line the canal on both sides and go on a first-come basis.

Lewes' annual Doo-Dah Parade

The casual and informal tradition starts anywhere from 5 to 5:30 p.m. on Independence Day at the corner of Manila Avenue near the Lewes Market. If interested in participating, just show up.

Slaughter Beach Regatta

The sixth annual Slaughter Beach Sail Club July Fourth Regatta pre-race activities are set to get underway at about 1 p.m. this year, while high tide rolls in at about 2:45 p.m. prompting a start to the races.

The regatta will start at the center of the beach at Delaware Avenue North. There is no cost to enter any of the events. Like last year, four races are planned: kids race, kayak race, mono-hull and multi-hull.

Contact Slaughter Beach Sail Club Commodore Harry Ward with any questions at 09sbsc@gmail.com.

Bethany Beach Fourth of July Parade

The 31st annual Bethany Beach July Fourth Parade begins at Pennsylvania Avenue and Garfield Parkway at noon. The parade will take its traditional two-mile route through town and feature six marching bands and five entertainment groups on trucks with marching units.

Participants may register floats and bikes the day of the parade from 9 to 11:30 a.m at the registration desks as follows: Floats registration at Route 1 and Central Avenue; bikes at Christian Church grounds. The grand marshals of the celebration will be Phil and Mary Rossi in recognition of their years of dedicated service to making the parade what it is today.

A horseshoe-throwing contest will be offered at the southwest corner of the Christian Church grounds at 2 p.m., with an award ceremony at 7:15 p.m. There's no theme this year, other than creating something patriotic using the traditional red, white and blue colors.

Following the ceremony, Warrior Spirit Band will perform at 7:30 p.m. on the bandstand. The band is composed of disabled or combat-wounded veterans who share their musical talents in order to empower other wounded soldiers and support their recovery programs. Their genre is an electic one, mixing rock and blues/country to appeal to many people. The band's Bethany performance will officially kick off its nationwide tour.

Following the band are Fourth of July fireworks at dusk. Anyone wishing to help out with the festivities or have any questions, call Events Director Julie Malewski at 302- 539- 8011 x123.

Rehoboth Beach spectacular continues

The Rehoboth Beach Main Street 2014 Fireworks spectacular will take place about 9:15 p.m., Friday, July 4. Visitors will also enjoy live entertainment by the Funsters, who will perform at the Bandstand before and after the show. For transportation in and out of the city, the Jolly Trolley and DART buses will run from 8 a.m., July 4, to 2 a.m., July 5. For parking information and to donate to this treasured community event, visit downtownrehoboth.com or call 302-227-2772.

St. Peter's Art Show

St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Lewes is continuing its art show from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 5, at the church on Second and Mulberry streets. More than 130 fine artists will display their work. Luncheon is from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a silent auction is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Kids can get their faces painted from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. The annual show began in 1966, and this year, St. Peter's will continue its “Back 2 the tap!” which started in the summer of 2013. The campaign aims to reduce the sale of plastic water bottles. Reusable water bottles will be sold at the art show and filled with free Lewes city water. The bottles can be purchased for $1 and can be refilled any time. For more information, call St. Peter's Episcopal Church at 302-645-8479.

As of press time, there was no word on whether Dewey Beach is having a fireworks display.