Things to Do

Hot tunes and hot times this summer in downstate Delaware

By Craig Horleman
Posted 5/22/24

As we enjoy Memorial Day weekend, thoughts turn to other fun to be had this summer.

Along with getting out in the fresh air, the next few months bring a slew of outdoor concerts, festivals and …

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Things to Do

Hot tunes and hot times this summer in downstate Delaware

Posted

As we enjoy Memorial Day weekend, thoughts turn to other fun to be had this summer.

Along with getting out in the fresh air, the next few months bring a slew of outdoor concerts, festivals and other activities sure to fill up those hot days and nights.

Here’s a look:

Mondegreen

Though we said goodbye to the Firefly Music Festival, another weekend of music and camping has filled its place at The Woodlands of Dover Motor Speedway.

The jam band Phish will hold a four-day festival Aug. 15-18 on the grounds.

Unlike Firefly, also held at that site, Phish will be the only band performing at Mondegreen. The title refers to a mishearing or misinterpretation of a phrase in a way that gives it a new meaning. Phish lyrics are sometimes accused of being “mondegreens.”

Tickets are on sale at mondegreen.phish.com.

Passes to access the Glen Close or The Full Monde campgrounds are $650, with the four days of shows included.

A Glen Close camping package for two costs $1,500 and comes with secure, private car or RV camping with access to air-conditioned bathrooms with flushable toilets and showers, express entry to the concert venue, a dedicated host and exclusive food, beverage and hospitality experiences.

Full Monde camping for two starts at $3,050 and offers a preset glamping tent or RV camping, plus all the amenities of the Glen Close package.

Set times for the band and more information will be announced at a later date.

Smyrna at Night

Keeping with the music festival theme, pop-rock band Smash Mouth will headline this year’s 10th anniversary of Smyrna at Night on June 15 from noon to 9:30 downtown.

Between 1997 and 2002, Smash Mouth notched six top-20 hits, dominating the airwaves at the turn of the century.

Two of these hits, “Walkin’ on the Sun” and “All Star,” soared to No. 1, with the latter recently surpassing 1 billion streams on Spotify.

No tickets are required for the gathering, which will host three stages with 18 bands.

The day will also include shopping, kid-friendly activities, food and local beer, wine and cocktails.

Other announced acts include Eric Hutchinson, an international platinum-selling singer, songwriter and seasoned touring artist.

Also playing will be local favorites Love Seed Mama Jump, Spokey Speaky, Braxton Hicks, Sug Daniels, Nick Kashmanian, Bryen O’Boyle, Best Kept Soul and more.

For information, visit smyrnapolice.com/smyrnaatnight.

June Jam

Also June 15 will be the 46th annual June Jam music festival at G&R Campground in Houston from noon to 10 p.m.

This year’s Jam will be a somber one, as it will be dedicated to co-founder and president Bob Hartley, who died suddenly April 14 at age 68.

June Jam will be headlined by the all-female AC/DC tribute band Shoot to Thrill. Other artists include Trailer Park Casanovas, Nite Train, Nothin’ but Trouble, Stone Jack Ballers, Tommy Conwell and Pistol Whipped.

For information and tickets, visit junejam.com.

Festivals

Music may not be at their forefront, but plenty of other festivals are on tap this summer.

• This year’s Delaware Pride Festival is set for June 1 on Legislative Mall in Dover from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The family-friendly event is free, and people of all ages and sexual orientations are welcome.

It’s the single-largest LGBTA gathering in Delaware.

For information, email info@delawarepride.org.

• June 8 brings back Dover Comic Con to the capital city.

The free, family-friendly, indoor/outdoor pop culture festival will include vendors, artists, artisans, authors, a cosplay competition, fan groups, a car show, food vendors and panel discussions. It is produced by the Daily State News.

For information and tickets, visit delmarvaevents.net.

• The 67th Old Timers’ Day Classic Car & Family Festival will be held in Selbyville on June 15 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

It will feature a car show, a DJ, children’s activities, an outdoor beer garden, music by Glass Onion, indoor roller skating and a walking tour.

To register a vehicle or volunteer, visit oldtimersdayde.com. To become a sponsor or vendor of this year’s gathering, contact events@thequietresorts.com.

• The annual African American Festival will take place June 22 on Legislative Mall in Dover from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

This family event is free and brings a variety of music, entertainment, vendors, food and interactive fun. For vendor registration, visit icclarts.org.

• The Greater Millsboro Chamber of Commerce’s Stars & Stripes is June 29 from 6-9:30 p.m. at the Millsboro Little League complex on West State Street.

The evening will include food trucks, music and fireworks.

• Seaford will not hold Nanticoke Riverfest this year but plans to have a Friday Night Live on July 12, starting at 5. And the traditional Float-In is July 13, beginning at noon.

•The annual Wyoming Peach Festival is Aug. 3 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The day includes crafters, vendors, children activities, live entertainment, peach dessert contest, raffle and food trucks.

Delaware State Fair

The Delaware State Fair runs July 18-27 in Harrington.

Concerts will feature Rick Springfield with Starship, starring Mickey Thomas, on July 18; Jon Pardi with Walker Montgomery on July 19; Ludacris with DJ Infamous on July 20; Jordan Davis with Greylan James on July 21; Cooper Alan with Thomas Mac on July 22; We the Kingdom with Consumed by Fire on July 23; Brantley Gilbert and Mike Ryan on July 24; and Turnpike Troubadours on July 27.

Harness racing will take place July 25, along with a demolition derby July 26.

Tickets are on sale at delawarestatefair.com.

Freeman Arts Pavilion

With nearly 70 performances this summer, the 2024 season at Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville is jam-packed.

This season’s lineup has performances such as the Back to the Eighties Show with Jessie’s Girl on June 29; Lee Brice on July 6; Night Ranger on July 16; Kansas on July 31; Air Supply on Aug. 6; Alabama on Aug. 8; Whiskey Meyers on Aug. 11; and the Old Crow Medicine Show on Aug. 18.

To get tickets and see the full schedule, visit freemanarts.org.

First State Stampede

The First State Stampede rodeo will take place May 31 at 7 p.m. in Harrington’s Quillen Arena.

The rodeo is contracted by Painted Pony Championship Rodeo, based in New York. The company travels across the country to host rodeos.

It will also have a variety of vendors and food. Tickets are available at delawarestatefair.com/firststatestampede.

Goodguys Nationals

The Goodguys Rod & Custom’s Mid-Atlantic Nationals takes place June 7-9 at Dover Motor Speedway.

The gathering will feature a large display of American-made or -powered vehicles of all years and models.

Goodguys’ inaugural visit to Dover will be the seventh of a 15-event season for the hot-rod specialists. There will be a Kids Zone, live entertainment, the Nitro Thunderfest with vintage dragsters, a manufacturer midway, burnout contests, lowrider hopping, fireworks and more.

More details can be found at good-guys.com/man.

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