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In 29th year, Rehoboth jazz fest hits high note

Officials: Restaurants, hotels busy like a summer weekend
October 15, 2018

Less than 24 hours after the conclusion of the 29th annual Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, Dennis Santangini said the weekend-long music celebration was absolutely fabulous.

“There was huge attendance, and most of the shows were sold out,” said Santangini, who has been president of jazz festival producer Delaware Celebration of Jazz for the past 25 years.

Santangini said it’s tough to know exactly how many people visited the Cape Region throughout the weekend, but he said he had already received phone calls from local restaurateurs saying they were busy like a summer weekend.

“It was very impressive,” said Santangini.

He said the greatest thing about this year’s festival was being back in the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. He credited convention center staff with going above and beyond the call of duty.

“Thank goodness for being back in Rehoboth,” he said. “It is called the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival.”

As the festival ages, Santangini said, event offerings continue to expand beyond the smooth jazz sounds. It’s important to bring people in for the event who may not be music people but are looking for a good time, he said.

The 2019 festival, slated for Oct. 11-20, will mark the event’s 30th anniversary.

Next year’s festival will feature live music the first weekend at Rehoboth Beach Convention Center and the Rusty Rudder. Organizers will also bring back The Taste of Rehoboth event Wednesday, Oct. 16, at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.

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