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DU Lucky 7 Sportsman’s Bash benefits fire department

More than 525 people attended the annual event
Meredith Hoffman and her new 8-week-old English Cream female golden retriever each have a big smile as Hoffman had the winning bid of $4,700 during the live auction at the annual Lucky 7 Sportsman’s Bash at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. The two English Cream female golden retrievers came from Willow Run Kennels in Seaford. DAN COOK PHOTOS
Dan Cook
March 19, 2026

The 2026 Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company and Eastern Shore Ducks Unlimited Lucky 7 Sportsman’s Bash was held March 14 at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.

It was a sold-out event that benefits both organizations. This year’s estimate of the fire company’s share will be more than $70,000.

Live and silent auctions, raffles, 50/50 drawing, games and great food were the order of the evening, as a prize was chosen every seven minutes.

“The Lucky Seven Sportsman’s Bash is a great community event,” said RBVFC President Mike Simpler. “The funds raised stay right here in our local community. The portion received by the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company will go toward the purchase of our new ladder truck, which is expected to be delivered in late April or early May. Funds raised by Eastern Sussex Ducks Unlimited help support local waterfowl habitat and conservation efforts, protecting the natural resources that make our area so special. Events like this show what our community can do when we come together to support public safety, conservation and the outdoors.”

A highlight of the evening was the live auction where two Willow Run Kennels female golden retrievers were auctioned off. The winning bids were $5,200 and $4,700.

 

Volunteer Lynsy Oronzio delivers the golden retriever to the highest bidder, Meredith Hoffman.
Jade Conaway and Julie Heffernan show some love to the two puppies up for the live auction.
Jim Yingling, left, and his son Jimmy prepare oysters at the raw bar.
Rehoboth Beach firefighter Zach Simpler, left, assists Bob Lawrence with the Plinko game.
Brandon Ranalli signs in at the event.
Guy Wiggins, right, buys some pull tags chances from Kathy Dougherty and Cindy Lukenda.
Enjoying some gal time are (l-r) Bonnie and Lexi Truitt, Bridget Lawn and Mack and Cindy Brown.
Wyatt Simpler and Jade Conaway work the dice table.
Natalie Buckman and Cole Fluharty work the small guns table.
Craig Lester works the Wall of Guns booth.
Lynsy Oronzio, left, and Ally Raiche work the raffle for the bucket of cash.
Working the beer booth are (l-r) Mark Lindell, Julie DelGiorno, Kevin Monigle and Marty Schertzer.
Having a great time at the evert are friends (l-r) Jessica Graulich, Adele Edwards and Annie Hocker.
Tori Sebastian, left, and Serena Hughes sell chances at the gun wall.
Maya and Christian Prestipino enjoy the event.
Don Don Mitchell picks a gun winner from the many tickets in the rotating raffle drum.
More than 525 people attend the event.
Giving some love to the puppies are Jessica Schlimer and Jimmy Horty.
Ashley Lyons, left, and Taylor Paoli sell raffle tickets for the gun wall.
Kerri Wiggins shows of her Ducks Unlimited swag.
Jack Morris, left, and Michael Bateman draw names from the rotating raffle drum.
RBVFC Auxiliary member Mary Backstrom does her best Vanna White impression at the designer pocketbook wall.
Mike Newcomb purchases a raffle ticket from volunteer Julie Heffernan.
Ryan Ellis, left, and Ashley Bonk enjoy a libation and conversation at the event.
Enjoying a great meal at the event are Mike and Kathy Newcomb.
Silent auction items.
Checking out the silent auction room are (l-r) Brandon Hazzard, Sanford Hazzard, Kenny Terhune and Brandon Bonk.
Silent auction items.
Sen. Gerald Hocker, right, and his wife Emily are longtime supporters of the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company and Eastern Shore Ducks Unlimited Lucky 7 Sportsman’s Bash.
Silent auction items.
Enjoying the event are (l-r) Kristen Coveleski, Gretchen Wyshock and Megan Gardner.
Silent auction items.
RBVFD President Mike Simpler emcees the event.
Jenna Hilovsky gets excited about her duck in the bucket throw.
Haylee Turner, left, and Jocelyn Holden show off their Ducks Unlimited swag.
Kristen Greenly, left, and Landon Best check out the silent auction items.
Wayne and Bunny Steele check out the gun safe up for auction.
Greenwing member Liam Emmert plays Duck in the Bucket.
A table gets excited about the gun drawings.
Auctioneer Stephen Harrell works the event.
Ashley Lyons displays the Gunbash Custom Henry Golden Boy .22 long rifle up for auction.
Ashley Lyons displays the Gunbash Custom Henry Golden Boy .22 long rifle up for live auction.
Getting the winning bid on the first puppy are Delsea and Chris Diaferio.
Brian and Eric Tappan enjoy the event.
Sponsor tables are decorated with Ducks Unlimited items.
Volunteer Lynsy Oronzio gives some last-minute love to the second puppy.
A popular live auction item was four-person rounds of golf at the Rehoboth Beach Country Club, Kings Creek Country Club, The Rookery and The Peninsula.
More than 525 people enjoy the event.
Maggie and Jesse Bunting act as bartenders for the evening.

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Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs. 

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