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Ropers Romp ‘round Rehoboth

Rehoboth Beach Main Street hosted third annual event Sept. 20
Doing a little pregaming at the Purple Parrot are (l-r) Jeff Crawford, Gerry Lathrop, Arlene O’Brien, Julie Lathrop, Michelle Comrow, Denise Porrini, Paula Yarbrough, Mark Holbrok and Christine Cunnane. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTOS
Chris Flood
September 23, 2025

Story Location:
Rehoboth Beach Main Street
509 Rehoboth Avenue
Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971
United States

Hosted by Rehoboth Beach Main Street, the third annual Mrs. Roper Romp took place Sept. 20 in downtown Rehoboth Beach.

With a strong breeze coming off the ocean, the red wigs and caftans had to be secured. But nearly 1,000 men and women were up for the task. The romp began with a group photo on the Boardwalk in front of Above the Dunes. Then everyone scattered and made their way to the two dozen restaurants and bars participating in the event.

The romp is a costumed bar crawl based on Mrs. Helen Roper, a character on the wildly popular 1970s TV show “Three’s Company.” Mrs. Roper was the wise cracking, caftan-wearing, love-deprived wife of landlord Stanley Roper.

The Rehoboth romp is one of many around the world. The event began in 2013 as a “Million Mrs. Roper March” of men and women in caftans and curly red wigs during a New Orleans parade.

For more information on Rehoboth Beach Main Street, go to downtownrb.com, email Executive Director Dan Slagle at dan@downtownrb.com or call 302-227-2772.

 

It was windy, but an otherwise beautiful September afternoon to romp around Rehoboth. The group takes a photo on the Boardwalk before scattering off to participating restaurants and bars.
Rehoboth Beach Main Street hosted the third annual Mrs. Roper Romp in Rehoboth Beach Sept. 20. Shown is Doddie Potts adjusting the wig of Tammy Garrett.
Milton’s Cathy Masciarelli and her sister Bobbie Haut make their way back from the beach.
Last year, it was a pink outfit. This year, John Rafter, Bob Bieber and David Stackhouse dress as Chrissy in blue.
Rehoboth Beach Main Street Executive Director Dan Slagle signs in a few participants.
It was a busy day for Sussex Pride’s David Mariner. He participated in the AIDS Walk in the morning then romp in the afternoon.
Grace Wetzel, Tyler Meinl and Rick Meinl casually make their way down Baltimore Avenue.
Shwon at Aqua are (l-r) Andy Martz, Jenny Martz, Michael McGuire, Jacob Jones, Scott Bunch, Bill Miller, Brian Yanofchick, Mike Venanzi and Vicki Venanzi.
If you’re going to wait for a drink dressed as Mrs. Roper, there might as well be Mrs. Roper highlights on the television.

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Chris Flood has been working for the Cape Gazette since early 2014. He currently covers Rehoboth Beach and Henlopen Acres, but has also covered Dewey Beach and the state government. He covers environmental stories, business stories and random stories on subjects he finds interesting, and he also writes a column called Choppin’ Wood that runs every other week. He’s a graduate of the University of Maine and the Landing School of Boat Building & Design.

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