Starboard reopens March 19
“When the Starboard opens, Dewey opens for the season. That’s it, people,” said Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Carol Everhart of the establishment honored by her organization as the business of the year.
“People can’t wait for the Starboard to open every year,” said Dewey Beach Mayor Dell Tush. “We’re looking forward to it with great anticipation.”
Under the direction of owner Steve “Monty” Montgomery, the Starboard reflects all that is and consistently has been Dewey: excellent food, fabulous music, loyalty, friendship and outrageous fun.
“The Starboard’s opening has always been the beginning of the season for the whole area,” said Montgomery, adding he spent every summer of his life in Dewey. After starting out as a beach boy in 1987, his second summer job was working the door at the Starboard. From there he moved up the ranks, from barback to bartender, and finally became a Starboard owner in April 1999.
“I’m just the keeper of the keys,” says Montgomery. Keeping a low profile, he casts the spotlight on the people he works with.
Among them is DJ John Hardy, a Starboard employee for 28 years under three different owners. An integral part of its history, searches of 1991 editions of the Whale and Coast Press reveal Hardy dressed in a red top hat, green tuxedo jacket, purple cummerbund and blue shorts preparing to lead a parade celebrating Dewey’s 10th anniversary of incorporation.
“This is a place where people become like family. Everybody has their regular place and regular bartender,” Hardy said during a meeting about the reopening. “When people split up they argue about who gets custody of the Starboard. It’s amazing how people fly in from all over the country every year to be here for the opening and get their Starboard fix.”
Montgomery says the real stars are the bartenders. “People write to me and identify who they are by the name of the bartender who serves them,” he said.
He welcomes all newcomers who want to join in the celebrations. The only requirements, he says, are an open mind and a good sense of humor.
Zany traditions are the trademark of the Starboard. Included is the Running of the Bull, a fanciful enactment of the famous event in Pamplona, Spain, that sends two people in a bull costume racing down Dewey’s ocean shoreline being chased by hundreds of intoxicated revelers to raise money for the police department.
The business community commends Montgomery for contributions. “Monty gives back to the town in the best way. A true source of solutions in the community, he is a constant catalyst for improvement while honoring tradition,” Everhart said.
Weekend highlights
George Metz, owner of the Sea Esta motels for 23 years, said excitement surrounding the Starboard’s opening is contagious. “It’s the key event, the real kick-off to the summer season, a new beginning when people can put away some winter woes and start thinking about sunny days and having fun at the beach,” he said.
The Starboard is using a heated tent to expand its space into its parking lot for the weekend event.
Doors open to the public at 7 p.m., Thursday night when live music by Jimi Smooth and Hit Time will be featured. Hardy will take the microphone to entertain the masses Friday night. Doug Segree will perform Saturday afternoon from 3 to 7 p.m. when DJ Smoky will take the stage.
Those who can’t find the shark should follow the big white searchlights, and everyone’s invited to restore their strength each morning at the big breakfast featuring the Starboard’s classic Eggs Delmarva, homemade French toast and famous Bloody Mary bar. NCAA games on high-definition plasmas are on the daytime agendas.
In addition to being part of the historic 50th season opening, another top reason to attend the re-opening weekend is to get a VIP pass.
“Everybody wants to be a Starboard VIP,” said Montgomery. The VIP pass allows guests to use a special entrance during the summer when lines go down the street, and provides them with advance email notice of all Starboard events.
Starboard events
Grand 50th season reopening – March 19-22
13th Annual Running of the Bull – Saturday, July 11
Rudolph’s Revenge and Battle of the Beach Houses – Saturday, July 25
50th Anniversary black tie celebration – Saturday, Oct. 3
