It's mid-August at the Delaware beaches, where summer is still going full throttle in spite of the threat of fall.
Last weekend, the beaches were teeming with people, eager to soak up a break in the extreme heat with a dip in the water. President Joe Biden himself got in some beach time and a bike ride in Rehoboth Beach. This weekend will see similar crowds, if not more, due to some major events happening nearby.
Yeah, about those major events. There's a Phish festival happening in Dover this weekend, and you don't need to understand jam bands to understand the size of this group's fanbase. Expect impacts to traffic and lodging. Also this weekend is Paradise Grill's Flounder Pounder Open, so boaters, expect to see even more traffic on the Indian River and at the inlet.
If you'll be at the Delaware beaches this weekend, read on for all you need to know.
Weather
Temperatures this weekend are expected to be in the low 80s, according to the National Weather Service, with the forecast sunny for Thursday and Friday and mostly sunny for Saturday and Sunday.
There's a small chance of storms Saturday and Sunday, so check in with your preferred weather app before you head out, but it's likely to be another lovely beach weekend.
Traffic and safety
In Dewey Beach last weekend, driving under the influence and speeding led to a four-car crash in which four people were injured, police said, and two weeks ago, a Lewes man was killed after a car pulled in front of his scooter.
More:Craig Thier and Suzanne Goode are Rehoboth Beach's newest commissioners
Driving can be treacherous at the Delaware beaches, where the roads are more crowded nowadays and even more so in the summertime. On top of that, this weekend, tens of thousands of people will be taking the same routes as beachgoers to Dover for Phish's Mondegreen festival (see below for more about that).
Now more than ever, it is important to drive defensively. These are nonprofit We Save Lives' top safety tips:
- Wear a seatbelt.
- Obey the speed limit.
- Set up GPS, music, etc. before your trip. Don't drive distracted.
- Make sure your car is ready for traveling. Breakdowns are dangerous.
- Never drive when impaired by alcohol or drugs or while drowsy.
- Keep a safe distance from the car in front of you.
- Resist road rage. Pull over to calm down if needed.
Hippies invade
It's a good weekend to be a hippie in southern Delaware, or just dress like one.
First, jam band legends Phish will host Mondegreen, a four-day festival, just north of the beaches in Dover. Think Firefly with less hip young people and more aging hippies. Tens of thousands of people are expected, so expect major impacts on traffic, as well as lodging. If you decide you want to join them, visit mondegreen.phish.com for ticket options.
Prefer a different legendary jam band? Deadheads, there's a couple things for you this week. First, Keller Williams' Grateful Grass will play the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal in Lewes. Williams' website describe the band's songs as "loose interpretations of Grateful Dead songs done in a bluegrass style." Visit rockingthedockslewes.com for tickets.
More:Lucky dog rescued from tree overhanging the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal Sunday
Prefer a legendary cover band of a legendary jam band? Dark Star Orchestra will play the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville Saturday. Visit freemanarts.org for tickets.
And finally, for those 21 and older, Hippie Fest 2024 will take place at the Causey Mansion in Milford on Saturday. Featuring music, food and vendors, attendees are encouraged to dress up. Visit milfordmuseum.org for more info.
Paradise Grill's Flounder Pounder Open
If Phish isn't your thing, maybe fish are.
Paradise Grill's Flounder Pounder Open, which has been growing in popularity since it was established seven years ago, runs Wednesday through Sunday. Over $300,000 in prizes will be rewarded at the end of the tournament, as well as $115,000 in daily prizes.
Paradise Grill is a palm tree-laden restaurant and bar with a concert venue, playground and marina, located on the Indian River in Long Neck's Pot-Nets Bayside. You can watch the Flounder Pounder's 350 registered boats weigh in their catches at the bar throughout the tournament, which is basically a five-day party.
Saturday is Paradise's annual Family Fun Day, with lots of kids' activities. There's live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and there will be fireworks after the awards ceremony Sunday night, too.
Other stuff to do
Here are some other notable events this weekend.
- The Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville will host NOLA Instrumental Petting Zoo at 10 a.m. Wednesday, followed by an Arts and Jazz Festival at 4 p.m. Country singer Cole Swindell will take the stage at 7 p.m. Thursday. Kidsinger Jim will play at 10 a.m. Saturday, and Old Crow Medicine Show will play at 7 p.m. Sunday.
- Dickens Parlour Theatre in Ocean View will host magician John George nightly through Sunday. Visit dickensparlourtheatre.com for tickets.
- See "The Prom" Wednesday and Thursday or "Jersey Boys" Friday and Saturday at Clear Space Theatre in Rehoboth Beach. Visit clearspacetheatre.org for tickets.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.
