DELMARVA - Concerts, parades and other annual traditions return in 2024. This lineup of events kicks off with some wintry fun to brighten up the off-season.
FIRE AND ICE FESTIVAL
Over 60,000 pounds of ice is coming to The Quiet Resorts. The 2024 Fire and Ice Festival opens up on January 14 with a drink competition. The theme this year is "Into the Wild." The tasting tour runs January 26-28. The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce says 15 different locations will each have an ice sculpture, festival menu items, live music, and themed cocktails throughout the weekend.
MARTIN LUTHER KING WEEKEND
A weekend of celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is coming to Sussex County. The Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice will present an inspirational musical celebration titled, “MLK: From Civil Rights to Black Lives Matter” at Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach. CoastTV's very own Chief Meteorologist Paul Williams will emcee this event. The full schedule for this celebration can be viewed in this article on CoastTV.com.
Meanwhile, in Ocean City, Dreamfest is back January 12-14. It all starts with a Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast that Friday at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center. Shows at the Performing Arts Center all weekend long will celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.
ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADES
Irish Eyes in Milton has announced that its 16th annual St. Patrick's Day parade will be held on March 10 at 2 p.m. The day kicks off earlier with the Lucky Leprechaun 5K at 11 a.m.
The Delmarva-Irish American Club is bringing its St. Patrick's Day Parade back to Ocean City on Saturday, March 16. The parade was canceled for three consecutive years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and weather. The luck of the Irish came through for it to return in 2023 and that's the hope for 2024 as well. The parade application can be found at delmarvairish.org.
DELAWARE STATE FAIR
The 2024 Delaware State Fair brings 10 days of fair food, rides, games, livestock exhibits and concerts to the fairgrounds in Harrington. The event returns July 18 and runs through July 27.
PONY SWIM
Chincoteague's world famous event is nearing a century old. The chamber of commerce has announced dates for the Pony Swim and Auction in both 2024 and 2025. The 99th annual swim is set for Jul 24, 2024.
MUSIC FESTIVALS
Firefly Music Festival has announced that it will be back in 2024. The popular musical event took a break in 2023 after 10 years of performances in The Woodlands in Dover.
However, its location remains unclear because the Phish Festival announced that it will be coming to The Woodlands Aug. 15 through 18. Firefly Music Festival has been held in both June and September in previous years.
Meanwhile Oceans Calling Festival says it's coming back to Ocean City with another lineup of artists Sept. 27-29.
WHITE MARLIN OPEN
The world's largest billfish tournament is coming back Aug. 5-9. Organizers say 400 boats and over 3500 anglers registered for the 2023 White Marlin Open. That event awarded over 10.5 million dollars in prize money, with a top individual prize of 6.23 million dollars.
OCEAN CITY AIR SHOW
Normally held in June, the Ocean City Air Show has announced a late summer return. It will be held Aug. 24 to 25. The lineup so far includes an F-22 Raptor Demo Team and Frecce Tricolori.
SHORE LIVING EXPO
Draper Media annual Shore Living Expo will once again invite the community to celebrate health, wealth, and home. Watch live demonstrations and shop local vendors from crafts to home and from boats to cars to RV's. Admission is free at the Wicomico Youth and Civic Center on Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
SEA WITCH FESTIVAL
Floats, bands, balloons and costumed characters will make their way down Rehoboth Avenue alongside the famed Sea Witch head herself named Hilda. The annual Sea Witch Parade is set for Oct. 26, 2024. The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce is celebrating 34 years of this festival Oct. 25 to Oct. 27.
