REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. - The Sea Witch costume parade is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28 at 11 a.m. Road closures and changing traffic patterns will begin early that morning to prepare for large crowds. The Rehoboth Beach Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce encourages spectators and parade participants to arrive early to prepare for complications getting into town.
PARKING AND DROP-OFF
Crowd control fencing on both sides of Rehoboth Avenue will be in place starting at 2 a.m. on Saturday. Signs will be posted to indicate prohibited parking areas and the avenue will be closed to all traffic from 2 a.m. until costume parade fencing is removed, which is expected to happen around 4 p.m.
Before 9:30 a.m., First and Second streets can be used to cross over Rehoboth Avenue. After that, other adjacent streets will have to be used for parking and dropping off spectators.
Want to avoid the hassle of driving and parking? Parking will be free at DART park and ride locations on Oct. 28. One lot is located in Rehoboth Beach off of Route 1 and Shuttle Road. The other is located in Lewes at 17616 Coastal Hwy. Transportation will be free on bus route 201 on Oct. 28 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., though riders are encouraged to bring a non-perishable item to begin the 26th annual Stuff the Bus Thanksgiving food drive. On Saturday, the pick-up and drop-off location downtown will be on Lake Avenue near the Henlopen Hotel and boardwalk until 5 p.m. After 5 p.m., pick-up and drop-off will resume at the bandstand.
Police will be ticketing or towing vehicles parked in non-authorized areas at the owners expense. Cars will be towed by Coastal Towing, located at 33012 Cedar Grove Rd. in Lewes.
PARADE PARTICIPANTS
Parade walkers can be dropped off on Rehoboth Avenue in front of Coho's Market & Grill and Loves Liquors until 10 a.m., though there will be no parking available in front of these locations.
Teams handling balloons should report to Fifth Street beginning at 9 a.m. Band buses should drop participants off in front of Rigby's Bar & Grill at 404 Rehoboth Ave. Both will be merged onto the avenue with walking participants and other groups.
Bands, large walking groups and motorized floats should enter the area by taking Route 1A, Canal Street and State Road. Police and parade officials will be in the area to direct participants.
This year's grand marshal is 2022 Business of the Year awardee Rehoboth Beach Running Co.
Parade walkers can be dropped off on Rehoboth Avenue in front of Coho's Market & Grill and Loves Liquors until 10 a.m. Bands, large walking groups and motorized floats should enter the area on State Road. Courtesy Rehoboth Beach Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce.
PARADE INFORMATION
The parade begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday. It will begin at Fourth Street and enter Rehoboth Avenue.
Costumed walkers will be judged. All walkers should receive a parade ribbon at registration. The top 25 costumed walkers, 10 motorized vehicles and the judges' favorite bands will receive trophies. Winners will be posted and trophies will be available at the festival information table after 2 p.m. on Saturday.
There will be no rain date for the costume parade due to logistical, contractual and safety requirements.
The CoastTV News and CoastLife teams will be walking in the parade and handing out candy. Be sure to say hello!
Mallory Metzner, Alex Seymore and Charlie Sokaitis are excited to hand out (and eat!) candy at the 2023 Sea Witch costume parade!