Welcome to the first full week in August at the Delaware beaches.
The beaches, boardwalks, businesses and roads are busy, but things are peaceful. The excitement surrounding U.S. President Joe Biden as he withdrew from the presidential race at his home near Rehoboth Beach has died down, and there’s been no major crime reported by police in the beach towns for a few weeks.
What has been reported are marine wildlife sightings. Keep your eyes on the water while you’re lying on the beach, even if your beach time may be limited this weekend as Hurricane-turned-Tropical-Storm Debby’s remnants impact the area.
Read on for all you need to know about this weekend at the Delaware beaches.
Weather
Before you declare your vacation ruined, keep in mind, this is an early forecast that will likely change. Storms often come and go quickly, with good beach time in-between.
The National Weather Service is predicting an 80% chance of rain Thursday and Thursday night, and a 70% chance Friday and Friday night.
Saturday is expected to be partly sunny, but with a 60% chance of rain.
As a consolation, Sunday’s looking like a good beach day, sunny with an only 30% chance of rain.
More: Belhaven Hotel plan, set to transform Rehoboth Beach boardwalk, approved with conditions
Wildlife
Dolphins are a common sight from the shores of the Delaware beaches; their fins often breach the water as they swim along the coast, and occasionally, you’ll see them jump.
At this time are year, there are jellyfish, of course, and beachgoers will see a variety shorebirds and crabs. If you’ve never been present for a tourist’s first time seeing a horseshoe crab (or 100, as is more likely), I highly recommend it.
Yet, there’s so many more magnificent creatures that exist just below the surface of the oceans and bays, and at this time of year, they remind us.
Related: Enjoying the warm water? So are the jellyfish. Types you’ll see and what to do if stung
Last week, a juvenile harbor seal was seen resting on the beach by Cape Shores in Lewes. That’s unusual — seals are usually only in Delaware waters in the winter months.
On Monday, the Marine Education, Research and Rehabilitation Institute, a local nonprofit that handles marine strandings, responded to Delaware Seashore State Park for a beached pilot whale. They transported it from the scene but it did not survive, reports say.
In June, paddleboarders in Bethany Beach had a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with a humpback whale, and in May, a fin whale beached and died in Delaware Seashore State Park.
If you come across a stranded marine animal, report it to MERR at 302-228-5029.
And a reminder: The Point at Cape Henlopen is closed at this time of year for nesting shorebirds. It’s roped off, but people often disregard the signs and those coming in by boat may be unaware. You can still spot brown pelicans, American oystercatchers and piping plovers from the open portion of the beach.
Things to do
The good news is that there is plenty to do in the area when weather prohibits going to the beach.
Here are a few things off the top of this reporter’s head.
There’s also a myriad of live entertainment to take in. In addition to the free concerts most Delaware beach towns host all summer long, here are the major events this weekend:
The 2024 Zap World Championships of Skimboarding will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday starting at 9 a.m. on Dewey Beach at McKinley Street. alleyoopskim.com.The Great Kaplan will perform nightly at Dickens Parlour Theatre in Ocean View through Sunday. dickensparlourtheatre.com.Grace Potter will play Wednesday, Alabama will play Thursday and Preservation Hall Jazz Band will play Saturday at Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville, all at 7 p.m. freemanarts.org.Clear Space Theatre Company in Rehoboth Beach will present “Jersey Boys” Wednesday and Thursday and “Rock of Ages” Friday and Saturday, all at 7:30 p.m. clearspacetheatre.org.The Amish Outlaws will play Paradise Grill in Long Neck at 8 p.m. Saturday. paradisegrillde.comTaking Back Sunday will play the Bottle and Cork in Dewey Beach at 8 p.m. Sunday. bottleandcork.com.
More: Lucky dog rescued from tree overhanging the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal Sunday
Also this week is the inaugural Inland Bays Oyster Week, with activities nearly every day and, on Saturday, the first-ever Delaware Seafood Festival in Millsboro. Visit delawareseafoodfestival.com for details.
With the weather forecast this weekend, make sure events are still proceeding as planned before heading out.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.
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Publish date : 2024-08-06 22:37:00
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