Always wise to update your calendar with a pencil

DOVER — Today’s column is a public service for those of you who like to keep your calendars in order. The lesson, so far in 2016, is to use a pencil.

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First, for those of you who have been eagerly awaiting the full lineup for this year’s Delaware State Fair, it’s almost time. Fair assistant general manager Danny Aguilar said they’re planning the big reveal on Wednesday. Check delawarestatenews.net Wednesday morning for the announcement. Country music fans no doubt will be anxiously awaiting word on whether the fair can fill the void and heartache left by the cancellation of the one-and-done Big Barrel and Delaware Junction music festivals. The fair already has announced two acts — legendary country group Alabama and comedian/ventriloquist Jeff Dunham. This year’s Delaware State Fair runs July 21-30.

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Lucky for you readers, you’re already in tune with such things as the Big Barrel cancellation and have scratchings across your June 24-26 calendar entries. It was odd to see a Facebook post from country singer Travis Tritt Thursday sharing the date of his Big Barrel show. Some of the fans immediately corrected him.

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This one’s a long ways off, but mark down Aug. 26-27, 2017. The Thunderbirds — the U.S. Air Force’s red, white and blue F-16 performance team — will be back at Dover Air Force Base for the first time since 2009. Air Mobility Command Museum director Mike Leister said the dates are locked in. NASCAR fans spotted the Thunderbirds last weekend doing the flyover for the Daytona 500. The Thunderbirds will be in Ocean City, Maryland, June 18-19 this year if you can’t wait to see one of their daring aerial maneuvers.

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Cyclists will have a tough choice the weekend of Sept. 10 — the Amish Bike Tour or the Bike to the Bay. For the first time, the two big cycling events will cross paths on Kent County roadways on Sept. 10. The Multiple Sclerosis Society, organizers of the Bike to the Bay event, announced last month it was moving its event from October 8-9 to Sept. 10-11. A Facebook comment on the Bike to the Bay page summed up initial reaction, “Good that it’s not October, bad that it clashes with the Amish Country Bike Tour, also starting in Dover.” The Amish Bike Tour, organized by Kent County Tourism, has loops of 15 to 100 miles. It starts at Legislative Hall. Bike to the Bay has routes of 20 to 175 miles. Two of the longer rides traditionally start from the Delaware Technical Community College’s Terry Campus in Dover. The finish is at Delaware Seashore State Park near Dewey Beach.

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And, lastly on the list of calendar updates, note that the Rehoboth Beach Sandcastle Contest will be held on Sept. 10. It is the first time the annual celebration of sandy feats hasn’t been held on the first Saturday in August. The Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce, the contest organizer, said it hopes the date change will boost participation. Until 2004, the contest had been organized by the Delaware State News and previously by its sister publication, the Daily Whale.

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Those of you who travel along New Burton Road south of Dover likely have noticed quite a bit of progress on the new Kent County Recreation Center. In an update recently to Kent County Levy Court, Jerry Doherty of construction-firm EDiS, said the center is on a course for the county’s recreation staff to occupy its new space in April. The completion target has been delayed somewhat by wet weather. A grand opening has not been set for the $10.7 million county project. Next Sunday, we’ll have an update on the Greater Dover Boys & Girls Club plans. The club’s building, a separate but cooperative construction project, adjoins the county recreation center.