REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - The annual Sea Witch Festival is set to kick off on Friday, Oct. 27 in Rehoboth Beach. Here's what you can expect to enjoy, along with important tips to help you make the most out of the weekend.
PARKING AND SHUTTLE INFORMATION
Parking for Sea Witch is free at the following DART Park and Ride locations
- Rehoboth Beach Park and Ride: Route 1 and Shuttle Road
- Lewes Park and Ride: 17616 Route 1
Rehoboth Avenue will be closed to traffic beginning at 2 a.m. for the Sea Witch costume parade on Saturday, Oct. 28. Before 9:30 a.m., First and Second streets can be used to cross over Rehoboth Avenue. Photo courtesy Rehoboth Beach Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Free transportation will be available on Route 201 on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The last trip from Downtown Rehoboth will leave at 10:30 p.m.
DART's pick-up and drop-off location for festival goers will be at Lake Avenue by the Henlopen Hotel at the Boardwalk from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is a half-mile walk down the Boardwalk to the Bandstand area from the Henlopen Hotel and pick-up location.
COSTUME PARADE INFORMATION
The Costume Parade kicks off on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11:00 a.m. The Rehoboth Beach Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce encourages spectators and parade participants to arrive early, before 9:00 a.m. to prepare for complications getting into town.
Rehoboth Avenue will be closed to all traffic on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 2:00 a.m. until the Costume Parade fencing is removed at 4:00 p.m.
Parade walkers can be dropped off on Rehoboth Avenue in front of Coho's Market & Grill and Loves Liquors until 10 a.m. Photo courtesy Rehoboth Beach Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.
First and Second Street can be used to cross over Rehoboth Avenue before 9:30 a.m. After that, other adjacent streets will have to be used for parking and dropping off spectators.
Participating walkers in the parade can be dropped off on Rehoboth Avenue in front of Coho's Market and Grill and Loves Liquors until 10:00 a.m. There will be no parking available in front of these locations.
The costume parade will begin at 4th Street at 11:00 a.m. and walkers will lead the parade from 4th Street and enter Rehoboth Avenue headed west to State Road then turn left on Rehoboth Avenue headed east and then turn at the Bandstand to return to 4th Street.
Mallory Metzner, Alex Seymore and Charlie Sokaitis are excited to hand out candy at the 2023 Sea Witch costume parade!
The CoastTV News and CoastLife teams will be walking in the parade and handing out candy. Be sure to say hello!
Here is more information on parade details.
COSTUMED DOG PARADE INFORMATION
The Costumed Dog Parade is set to take place on Sunday, Oct. 29 at 1:00 p.m., weather dependent.
Registration for the parade begins at noon on Lake Avenue at the north end of the Boardwalk near the Henlopen Hotel. The registration fee for the parade is $5.00.
On Sunday, Oct. 28, costumed dogs only and their humans will parade down the Boardwalk and will be lead by musical entertainment. Photo courtesy Rehoboth Beach Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Dogs will be judged immediately following registration and before the parade begins.
The parade will start south on the Boardwalk from the Henlopen Hotel to the Star of the Sea Condominium at Laurel Street.
According to the Rehoboth Beach Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, livestock, wild animals, reptiles or pets other than dogs are not permitted in the contest.
Winners will be announced at the bandstand at 2:45 p.m.
INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ARTISANS AND VENDORS
Throughout the weekend, Sea Witch visitors can browse a variety of artisan vendors.
Vendors will be set up around the Downtown Rehoboth Bandstand area, as well as inside the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center.
Photo courtesy Rehoboth Beach Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Outdoor artisans and vendors will have their shops open on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29.
Indoor shopping inside the convention center will be available from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 27 and from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28.
There will be a variety of activities for kids to enjoy inside the convention center including:
- Magic and Juggling shows
- Trick-or-treat bag decorating
- Musical entertainment on stage
- Ballon twisting from The Sandy Roost
- Kids' Zone and Coloring Corner
- Kids' Lumberjack Throw
EVENTS TO SEE THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND
There are countless events to enjoy at Sea Witch, but here are some activities and experiences you will not want to miss:
- Jolly Trolley Magical History Tour
- Scarecrow Trail and Show
- Bubble Boo and Puppies Too
- Tyke Bike Race
- Choo Choo Express Train Rides
- Sea Witch Hunt
- Old Fashioned Beach Games
- Horse Shows on the Beach
Old fashioned beach games. Photo courtesy Rehoboth Beach Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.
FALL FESTIVITIES
If you are looking for some fall fun, there will be several activities to enjoy. Some activities include:
- Trick or Treat in Dewey Beach
- Haunted Bonfire and Beach Dance Party
- Teen Fright Night
- Scarecrow Trail and Show
- Hayrides
For a full list of events and activities to enjoy, check out the guide below.
