Firefly Music Fest a first for state

The wait is finally over, and music lovers across Delaware are in a state of wonderment.

For the first time in its history, Delaware will play host to a major weekend-long extravaganza, The Firefly Music Festival, which promises to bring a lineup of epic proportions to The Woodlands at Dover International Speedway the weekend of July 20-22.

The mega festival will draw on popularity similar festivals such as Popped! in Philadelphia or Bonnaroo in Tennessee have created in recent years. Like these festivals, The Firefly Music Festival will be pairing heavy-hitting national acts with camping and community.  It's something that until now music enthusiasts in Delaware have had to travel long distances to see.

This summer, forget traveling to big cities to see headliners such as The Black Keys, The Killers and Jack White; say hello to a new event right in the Cape Region's backyard. These three headliners join a slate of 40 national acts, which also includes Death Cab for Cutie, OK Go, Cake, John Legend and The Flaming Lips.  Not only does this bring musical refreshment to Delaware, with the people comes a new type of economic stimulation...a market virtually untapped until now.

Imagine, say, a Dogfish Head beer stand or a Sunshine Octopus vending booth and a Save the Bays educational area – all with an audience ready and waiting to explore what Delaware has in store. Then add four stages, a camping area and 30,000 to 40,000 people a day enjoying themselves in the state's capital.

"Events like this music festival will put Delaware on the music map and bring folks from all over the area to Dover," said Sen. Tom Carper, who promoted concerts while he was a student at Ohio State. "I was excited to learn about this festival because it will not only provide the First State with an economic boost, but it will bring great musical acts here as well."

Don't expect the Firefly Music Festival to be run of the mill. The large-scale festival is being produced by Chicago-based Red Frog Events, and promoters are aiming high. "Glamping" - an upscale version of camping - will be offered on-site; all campers need do is show up with suitcases to find a luxurious canvas tent complete with beds, linens, access to showers, late night snacks and even a breakfast buffet.

Glamping not your thing? Pitch your own tent or bring your RV. Organizers say this festival will have it all.

Having it all also encompasses the music; in addition to the big headliners – did we mention Passion Pit, Girl Talk or Lupe Fiasco?– many more bands with experience playing major festivals are promising to bring the heat to Firefly. Michael Franti and Spearhead and Trampled by Turtles as well as Ra Ra Riot and The Wallflowers promise big things for the weekend.

"It's really exciting," said Joseph Parsons of Bethany Beach, a live music fan and local business owner.

"It's great to have this type of music event come to Dover." With the announcement coming just yesterday, the news seemed to spark excitement in every direction, from social media outlets such as Facebook to local restaurants. Indeed the importance of this music festival goes beyond the shared experience of great music and touches something deeper: an experience that stimulates the economy, and awakens our creative senses as well.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 5, for $178 for a 3-day pass. For more information go to fireflyfestival.com.