Bring on the July 4th events

With a full week of activities planned, an abundance of Independence Day celebrations are taking place along Delaware’s coastline. Here’s what’s on tap in our region.

Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach begins its July 4 celebration at noon, Thursday, July 4, with a parade beginning at the intersection of Pennsylvania Avenue and Garfield Parkway. Twelve bands are expected to participate and parade floats can be entered into the parade from 9 – 11:30 a.m., near the Christian Church grounds, 7 N. Pennsylvania Ave.

There will be an awards ceremony at 7:15 p.m., followed by a performance from local rockers Jimi Smooth and Hit Time Band. The day ends with fireworks at dusk. For more information go to www.townofbethanybeach.com.

Dewey Beach

In Dewey, Highway One will host its annual fireworks display. The fireworks will be set off Thursday, July 4, from a barge in the Rehoboth Bay.

Henlopen Acres

Henlopen Acres will host its 5th annual Independence Day Parade at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, July 4. Registration begins at 9 a.m. at the marina. Participants are invited to decorate bikes, wagons, scooters, strollers, floats, pets, homes and yards.

The parade route begins at the marina on Tidewaters going toward the beach. It takes a right on Zwaanendael Road, a right on Rolling Road, a right on Dodds Lane and concludes back at the marina. Judging, prizes and refreshments follow the parade at the marina.

Pets that enjoy crowds, excitement and small children are welcome to participate but must be leashed, and owners are responsible for their behavior.

A rain date has been scheduled for 9 a.m., Friday, July 5. For more information or to volunteer, call town hall at 302-227-6411.

Lewes

Lewes will celebrate July 4 with old-fashioned games for children, the Doo-Dah Parade, the Independence Day Lewes Boat Parade and the second annual Go Fourth fireworks display.

The old-fashioned games for children begin at 9 a.m. on Second Street, which will be closed while games are in progress.

Following the games, the Lewes Independence Day Boat Parade will wind its way down the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal from Roosevelt Inlet to Fisherman’s Wharf.

The parade entrants will leave from the inlet at 1:30 p.m., passing in front of the judges’ reviewing stand at approximately 2 p.m. Lewes Mayor Ted Becker will announce the parade in the area of Fisherman’s Wharf.

All preregistered boat entrants will be eligible for prizes. First, second and third place ribbons will be awarded. To be eligible, the vessel must be registered no later than noon, Wednesday, July 3.

Registration forms are available at Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in Fisher-Martin House in Zwaanendael Park and Lewes Harbour Marina Bait and Tackle at the end of Anglers Road.  For more information, call Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 302- 645-8073. Late, unregistered entries are invited to join the parade by arriving at the Roosevelt Inlet at 1:30 p.m.

The Doo-Dah Parade forms in the vicinity of Lloyd’s Market on Savannah Road. No pre-registration is required and everyone is invited to participate. The parade is expected to begin around 5 p.m., but is always unpredictable. Lewes Presbyterian Church, 133 King Highway, will be offering parking in its lot and use of its restrooms during the parade.

Finally, in Lewes, the day caps off with the second annual fireworks display. The best visibility is from Roosevelt Inlet to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal. Information is available at www.GoFourthLewes.org.

Also happening in Lewes is the annual 4th of July Celebration & Classic Car Show at Trinity Faith Christian Center, 15516 New Road. Beginning at noon and lasting until 5 p.m., the free event features music, food and games. Car registration is 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with judging at 2 p.m. A rain date has been scheduled for Saturday, July 6. For more information contact 302-645-5446 or 302-745-7295.

Millsboro

The scheduled July 4-themed events begin and end in Millsboro.

The Greater Millsboro Chamber of Commerce will host the third annual Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration Saturday, June 29, at Cupola Park in downtown Millsboro. The free event starts at 6 p.m. with food trucks, music and loads of other fun, with the fireworks at approximately 9:30 p.m. A rain date has been set for Sunday, June 30.

The second event in Millsboro is the 13th annual Children’s Celebration and Parade, scheduled for 10:30 a.m., Thursday, July 4, at the labyrinth of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, at the corner of State and Ellis streets. Following a brief patriotic ceremony, which will include the beautiful voice of Sussex’s own Cathy Gorman, children dressed in patriotic colors and costumes will parade on the church grounds to the parish hall. Each will receive a special gift for participating. Hot dogs, chips, desserts and beverages will be provided. In case of rain, the celebration and parade will be held in St. Mark’s Parish Hall. For more information, call Gale White at 302-644-0777.

The final event in Millsboro takes place at the Clubhouse at Baywood, which will host its annual Independence Day Party from 5 to 10 p.m., Friday, July 5. This event has no admission fee and will be held on the paver patio area overlooking the gardens. The menu will feature a cash bar and food. The Stevie D. band is scheduled to perform, beginning at 5:30 p.m. Fireworks will close the evening.

Those who wish to dine in The Clubhouse that evening should make reservations to ensure that they have a seat. Call 302-947-9225. For information to go baywoodclubhouse.com.

Milton

Milton will play host to the annual Bring Mayberry Back to Milton event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, July 4, in Milton Memorial Park.

There will be old-fashioned fun for all ages, including a dunk tank, pie baking contest, train rides, relay and sack races, chess matches and more fun for children. A bike decorating contest and bike parade take place at 11 a.m., sponsored by Irish Eyes Pub and Restaurant.   Grand prizes of two brand new bikes will be awarded to the winners – one each to the best boy and best girl entries. All decorated bike contestants must register by 10:45 a.m. at the park gazebo.

The annual free event will also include Milton’s Best Pie Baking Contest. For more information, contact Maryellen Kiernan at mare@irisheyespub.com or call 302-684-5005.

Rehoboth Beach

Rehoboth Beach will celebrate July 4 with fireworks Wednesday, July 3. Depending on the weather, the fireworks may be launched any time after 8 p.m., but they are expected to begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. The fireworks go off from the beach south of Rehoboth Avenue.

The city will host entertainment on the Bandstand before and after the fireworks with The Funsters. That show begins at 8 p.m., resumes immediately following the fireworks and lasts until 11 p.m. For event information visit rehobothbandstand.com.

The city strongly recommends visitors use the DART Park and Ride system to travel into downtown. Go to dartfirststate.com or call 302-226-2001 for route information.

Beginning at 5 p.m., North Rehoboth Deauville Beach parking lot will open to fireworks parking at a cost of $5.

Several road closures are associated with the fireworks in Rehoboth: from 6 p.m. to midnight, the circle around the Bandstand will be closed to vehicle traffic; beginning at 6 p.m., only bus and resident traffic will be allowed on Henlopen Avenue, and only bus traffic will be allowed on Surf Avenue; beginning at 7 p.m., vehicles will not be able to cross Rehoboth Avenue at the lighthouse circle; beginning at 8:30 p.m., Rehoboth Avenue eastbound and Church Street from Route 1 will be closed; beginning at 8:30 p.m., residents of Henlopen Acres, North Shores and Henlopen Avenue may access their residence using First Street.

Despite the city’s warning, traffic will be heavy for the fireworks. As such, the city recommends all vehicles enter Rehoboth Beach using State Road to Bayard Avenue; all traffic north of Rehoboth Avenue should exit Rehoboth Beach via Columbia Avenue and Rehoboth Avenue; all traffic south of Rehoboth Avenue should exit using Bayard Avenue or Hickman Street and Munson Street to State Road to Route 1. Traffic signs will be posted.

For more information on the Rehoboth Beach fireworks, go to www.cityofrehoboth.com or call 302-227-6181 Ext. 522.