HARRINGTON — With the 2016 Delaware State Fair throwing open the gates tomorrow for its fun-filled run, today through July 30, DNREC is again right in the middle of the annual extravaganza – with more environmental displays than ever at the Fair, more Delaware State Parks presentations in celebrating Parks’ 65th anniversary, and game prizes to be won by kids of all ages from testing their knowledge about the state’s natural resources from seeing all those displays and presentations.

DNREC’s Funhouse of Science, located in the building’s main room, features a dozen displays from DNREC’s divisions and programs offering information and activities on everything from increasingly popular “living shorelines” to improving Delaware’s air quality to making recycling a lifestyle choice. New this year: DNREC’s refurbished Energy House, plus displays on living shorelines, Delaware’s tax ditches and climate change. State Fair visitors young and older also are invited to play DNREC’s scavenger hunt game for “hunting down” facts about Delaware natural resources and environmental knowledge that can be found within the DNREC building, and to pick from a wide array of prizes when they succeed in completing the hunt.

Outside the building, don’t miss T-Rex, the Division of Energy & Climate’s mobile solar power station – you can even plug in your phone for a quick charge ... with clean energy from the sun! Back inside the building, DNREC’s On Stage theater offers a preview of programs from parks, nature centers and other facilities statewide owned and operated by the Department’s Divisions of Fish & Wildlife, Parks & Recreation and Watershed Stewardship. Stop by daily to learn more about Delaware’s Department what we have to offer – and discover unique new places you and your family can visit.

Adults and kids of all ages are invited to visit DNREC’s Fun House of Science where they can discover the science behind the work DNREC does to protect the environment and Delaware’s natural resources.

DNREC’s building includes displays, hands-on activities and educational games with prizes, as well as live animal shows and presentations about subjects from maritime history to geology to Delaware’s unique plants and animals in its air-conditioned theater, DNREC On Stage. Tropo, the Division of Air Quality’s big blue mascot, also will be making a special appearance. The Fun House of Science, located in DNREC’s Education Building on East Rider Road on the Fairgrounds, is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., every day during the fair.

DNREC On-Stage Schedule

• Thursday, noon-3 p.m. — Horseshoe crabs
• Friday, noon-3 p.m. — Create Power … with Water and Wind!
• Friday, 3-6 p.m. — Investigate habitats on Cape Henlopen.
• Saturday, noon-3 p.m. — Geology of White Clay Creek
• Sunday, noon - 3 p.m. — Brandywine Zoo
• Monday, noon - 3 p.m.: Go Down in the Paw-Paw Patch
• Monday, 3 - 6 p.m. — Wiggly Worms at Work
• Tuesday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. — Meet Tropo, DNREC’s Division of Air Quality’s big blue mascot.
• Tuesday, noon-3 p.m. — Build Your Own Horseshoe Crab.
• Tuesday, 3 - 6 p.m. — Make Slate Cutting Tools.
• Wednesday, noon - 3 p.m.: Maritime History and Beach Creatures.
• Wednesday, 3-6 p.m. — Colonial Games.
• Wednesday, 3 - 6 p.m. — Travel Back to the Civil War days.
• Thursday, July 28, 11 a.m.-noon — Volunteer Olympics.
• Thursday, July 28, noon - 3 p.m. — Play Operation Think Tank.
• Thursday, July 28, 1 - 2 p.m. — DNREC Awards at Mann Tharp Pavilion.
• Thursday, July 28, 2 p.m.: Rain Barrel Know-How.
• Thursday, July 28, 3 - 6 p.m.: Meet Creatures from the Delaware Bay.
• Friday, July 29, noon-3 p.m.: Skins, Scat and Tracks – and a Living Fossil.
• Friday, July 29, 3-6 p.m. Living Life in a Swamp.
• Friday, July 29, 4:30 - 9 p.m.: How Does Your Deer Measure Up? Learn how Boone & Crockett’s white-tailed deer scoring system works.
• Saturday, July 30, noon-3 p.m. — Living Life in a Swamp.
• Saturday, July 30, 3-6 p.m.: Reptiles and Amphibians of Delaware.
• Saturday, July 30, 5 p.m.: Live Music with Switchback.