Beach & Bay Cottage Tour set July 25 and 26
One of the most highly anticipated events of summer in southern Delaware is the Beach & Bay Cottage Tour, and this year’s tour is almost here. The 21st annual tour to benefit the Friends of the South Coastal Library will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, July 25 and 26. The Friends are honored to have Gov. and Mrs. Jack Markell serving as honorary chairs for the benefit once again.
The 2012 tour offers homes in a variety of styles and personalities; they are located along the shore in north Bethany, Bethany Beach, South Bethany and Fenwick Island. Tour goers have the option of visiting all 10 homes in one day or spreading the viewing over the two days of the tour.
Tickets are $30, and each tour participant will receive a sturdy tote bag with the program booklet, which serves as the ticket; a pair of booties (donated by Beebe Medical Center) to be worn in all the homes; and complimentary copies of Coastal Style, Delaware Beach Life and Going Green on Delmarva magazines. Tote sponsors for 2012 are Beebe Medical Center, G & E/Hockers, Leslie Kopp, PNC Bank, Sea Colony Recreational Association and the Town of Bethany Beach.
Tickets are available at the South Coastal Library at 43 Kent Ave. in Bethany Beach. Previously reserved tickets can be picked up at the library starting at 10 a.m., July 19. Tickets will also be available July 19 through 24 at Bethany Beach Books, Japanesque and Sea Needles in Bethany; at the Bethany-Fenwick Chamber Area of Commerce, Carolina Street and The Rooster’s Nest in Fenwick Island; at McCabe’s in South Bethany and at Browseabout Books in Rehoboth.
Any tickets remaining the days of the tour will be available only at the library. Babies and children under 12 are not permitted in the homes; no photography is allowed in the homes. Tour homes are private homes and may be physically challenging.
No cottage tour would be complete without raffles to enhance the fundraising. The winners of the ever-popular Dinner for Two raffle will dine in style at DiFebo’s Bistro at Bear Trap Dunes and DiFebo’s on 26, Magnolia’s Seafood Bar & Grill, Off the Hook, The Parkway Restaurant or Sedona. The Art Raffle, featuring some favorite local artists, offers framed artwork from Aubre Duncan, Carol Dyer, Dorothy Harrison-Braun, Laura Hickman, Tinsel Hughes and Cheryl Wisbrock.
Tickets for both raffles at $1 each or six for $5 are available at the library and at selected homes on the days of the tour. The drawings will be held at the library at 5:30 p.m., July 26; winners need not be present.
With the Adopt a House program for hostesses, many organizations will be involved in the 2012 tour. Participants this year are the Barefoot Gardeners of Fenwick Island, Bay Forest Homeowners, Beta Sigma Phi, Cripple Creek Ladies, Gardeners by the Sea, Lord Baltimore Women’s Club, Salt Pond Women’s Club, Shore Democrats, South Bethany Women’s Club, Southampton Homeowners and the Women’s Council of Realtors.
For updated information, go to www.beachandbaycottagetour.com or leave a message with the Friends at 302-537-5828.
