Sea Witch Festival to kick off with family fun Oct. 24

The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce 35th Annual Sea Witch Festival events will take place from Friday, Oct. 24 to Sunday, Oct. 26.

Family-fun options will be available all weekend at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, on the Boardwalk and at the Bandstand, with more than 60 artisans/crafters, children’s activity and food vendors on hand offering magic and juggling shows, musical entertainment, crafts, bubble fun, face painting and more. Convention center attractions include kids’ entertainment at the Mermaid’s Grotto, balloon twisting, trick-or-treat bag decorating and monster art. Near the Bandstand, the Humane Animal Partners table is always a crowd favorite, with a petting zoo, face painting, and plenty of friendly pets looking for forever homes. 

Children ages 10 and under are invited to dash down the Boardwalk on their trikes and bikes in the Tyke Bike Race Friday. Registration begins at 3:30 p.m. Relays run from 4 to 5 p.m. Tykes should register at the chamber info table on the Rehoboth Boardwalk where it meets Rehoboth Avenue. All participants are required to wear a helmet when riding. Keep the fun going with the Beach Ball Roll on the Boardwalk, taking place immediately following the last Tyke Bike run.

The main event will see thousands of costumed participants, local bands, decorated cars and floats, and more for the 35th Annual Sea Witch Festival Costume Parade, kicking off at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 25. Parade judges will award trophies to Top 25 Walking, Top 10 Rolling/Motorized, and Judge’s Favorite Bands. Attendees should bring slickers and umbrellas in case of magic rain. There is no scheduled rain date. If the parade is canceled, pictures of costumes and floats can be submitted to events@beach-fun.com for judging and awards. In the event of inclement weather, call the chamber at 302-227-2233 for recorded updates related to cancellations and/or postponement of festival events.

Registration for the Best Costumed Dog Contest starts at 12 p.m., Sunday, at Lake Avenue next to the Henlopen Hotel, and the parade starts at 1 p.m. Costumed dogs and owners will parade down the Boardwalk from the hotel, letting the crowds get an eyeful. Winners will be announced on the Bandstand at 2:30 p.m. The registration fee is $5 per dog. No livestock, wild animals or reptiles are permitted in the contest. This event is weather dependent; there is no scheduled rain date.

For the complete schedule, go to beach-fun.com. For festival or area information, call the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce at 302-227-6446 or email rehoboth@beach-fun.com. Activities and times are subject to change.