Brrrr, there has definitely been a chill in the air lately here in Southern Delaware, and while it has been fall for several weeks now, this is the first week that autumn is starting to show her true colors. Pumpkins, mums, the seasonal wardrobe change, and the stress of selecting the perfect Halloween costumes are just a few of the harbingers of the fall season, but there’s also the fall festivals to consider! From the Sea Witch Festival to Apple-Scrapple and everything in between, fall is the perfect time of year to explore Southern Delaware.
Southern Delaware Wine, Food & Music Festival
When: Saturday, October 8, 12pm-4pm
Where: Independence Hall 23767 Samuel Adams Circle, Millsboro DE
First on the agenda is the 2nd Annual SoDel Fest! Benefitting Children & Families First, The Food Bank of Delaware and Rotary’s End Polio Now Campaign, the full-day event features 18 of the best local restaurants paired with 40 wines, craft spirits, and beers. On top of all that delicious fun, there’s an epic lineup of musical entertainment. Good eats, lively libations, and local music? Sure seems like a perfect way to welcome the fall season!
Sea Witch Halloween & Fiddlers Festival
When: Friday, October 28- Sunday, October 30
Where: Downtown Rehoboth Beach, DE (various locations)
It’s the 27th year for the annual Sea Witch Festival and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for this year’s festivities. Rehoboth Beach turns into Halloween headquarters for three-full days, with costume parades (and that includes a costume pet parade too my friends), an incredible array of activities for the kids, crafts & merchandise, food vendors, and more, including the fiddler’s convention! This is definitely an event that caters to all ages.
Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival
When: Thursday, October 13 – Sunday, October 16
Where: Rehoboth Beach, DE (various locations)
For music lovers, the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival is a must. For four days, artists from around the world will converge on our resort beach town. Now in its 27th year, the festival just gets better and better with each passing year. This year’s Artist of the Year will be international artist Patti Austin.
Apple-Scrapple Festival
When: Friday, October 14 (opens 4pm) & Saturday, October 15 (open at 9am)
Where: Downtown Bridgeville, DE
For you Delaware-newbies, you might not be familiar with the ever-popular breakfast meat that is a staple around these parts. You also might not be aware that one of the more popular brands, RAPA, got its start in Bridgeville, Delaware in 1926. 25 years ago, the town decided to launch a small festival in honor of their two mainstays, scrapple and apples, and what started as just a few hundred attendees has blossomed into an annual attendance of 25,000! Expect lots of delicious local fare (don’t worry there’s more than apples and scrapple if that’s not your forte), rides, games, and streets jam-packed with over 500 local vendors.
Punkin Chunkin
When: November 4, 5, & 6 (8am each day)
Where: 18598 Rd 591, Bridgeville, DE 19933
The chunk returns! After taking a brief hiatus, Punkin Chunkin will return to Bridgeville this year. Arguably one of the more unique events you will ever attend, expect to see LOTS of pumpkins flying through the air at high speeds. Competitors from all around the world attend the annual event, in hopes that their trebuchets, catapults, or air cannons will yield the most power and distance. In addition to the famous chunkin’ of punkins’ you can also enjoy the Chili Cookoff, Punkin Cookin’ Cookoff, and Punkin Chunkin Pageant.
We’ve only just scratched the surface on fall fun in our area, but this should get you well on your way to exploring the tastes, sights, and sounds of our beautiful state. Get outside and enjoy it, before old man winter arrives in town to put a damper on the fun…
