Fall festival frenzy: Delaware Renaissance Faire, Scrapple, Powwow, Fairy Fest & more

Fall festivals are turning up left and right in Delaware. And we've got them covered from top to bottom.

In addition to the many fall favorites we've already written about this year, here are 10 more fun events and festivals that should be on your radar come autumn.

Amish Country Bike Tour, Dover

Rewarding yourself with pie during a cycling session is a long-time tradition in the First State. That means participants should bring some Icy Hot and a big appetite for the 37th annual Amish Country Bike Tour. The tour, which isn't a timed race, starts at Legislative Mall and features routes of 16, 25, 50, 62 and 100 miles along central Delaware's Amish countryside. Each route includes a stop at the Amish Schoolhouse where folks can enjoy a slice of freshly baked pie.

After the bike tour, riders return to Leg Mall for a catered lunch from either Outlandish Food Truck, The Wandering Chef, Delaware Provisions, Chef Robbie Jester or Taco Jardin menus. Live entertainment and vendors also will be featured.

Walk-up registration is 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8 or at 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9. Police will escort riders at staggered times, based on the following route schedule:

7 a.m. for 100-mile riders

7:30 a.m. for 62-mile riders

8 a.m. for 50-mile riders

8:30 a.m. for 25-mile riders

9 a.m. for 16-mile riders

Legislative Mall (410 Legislative Ave., Dover) on Saturday, Sept. 9. Rider registration is $20-$65; Free for kids (age 5 or younger). Visit amishcountrybiketour.com. 

Nanticoke Indian Powwow, Milton

From traditional dances and music to cool cultural-themed wares from vendors, Native American heritage will be celebrated over two full days, one drum beat at a time. The 45th annual Nanticoke Indian Powwow includes a church service before the festival starts on Sunday (8:30-9:30 a.m.).

Hudson Fields (30045 Eaglecrest Road, Milton) from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 10. Admission is $5-$10. Free for ages 10 or younger. Visit nanticokeindians.org (302) 945-7022 or (302) 945-3400.  

Riverwalk Freedom Festival, Milford

To commemorate the anniversary of Sept. 11, Milford hosts its largest annual outdoor fest: the Riverwalk Freedom Festival. The event turns 22 this fall and it'll take over the downtown area (from Walnut Street to Bicentennial Park) with a beer garden, patriotic pet parade, paddleboats, live music, over 100 vendors, fireworks and more fun.  

The festival is near (205 NE Front St., Milford) at 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16. Visit cityofmilford.com, Facebook.com/RiverwalkFreedomFestival or (302) 422-6616.  

Maxima Hispanic Fest, Georgetown

There's a lot to appreciate about the diversity of Hispanic heritage in Delmarva, which is why Maxima Hispanic Fest is important. 

About 20,000 people attended the festival in 2022, according to the festival's website. The popular event features traditional food, arts and crafts, dancing and performances by international and local groups. 

Downtown Georgetown (216 North Race St., Georgetown) from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17. Visit hispanicfest.festivalhispano.org or (302) 858-5118. 

Fairy Fest, Wilmington

Where else in Delaware can you learn how to fairy dance and get your face painted in the same afternoon? Survey Says: the Fairy Fest. The whimsical event is full of activities, games, vendors and entertainment. The mobile stage will feature performances by First State Ballet Theatre, Wilmington Drama League, Pieces of a Dream, Delaware Arts Conservatory and Pages Alive.

Rockwood Museum & Park (501 Carr Road, Wilmington) from noon to 4 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 17. Free event. Visit newcastlede.gov or (302) 395-5652. 

Vet Fest, Middletown

Military and civilian communities are united to benefit active duty and military families. Vet Fest also is intended as a fundraiser for the nonprofit Stop Soldier Suicide, according to its website. The festival features a free concert from former Grand Funk Railroad member Mark Farner with Club Phred at 3 p.m. Saturday. There's a variety of physical fitness activities, each cost $30 to register, such as a 5K Run, Family Fun Walk, 10K Ruck, Vet Fest Motorcyclist and Vet Fest Virtual (a virtual component that allows anyone to participate in an event from any location). 

Town of Whitehall (801 Mapleton Ave., Middletown) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30. To register, visit whitehallde.com/events/vet-fest. 

Apple Scrapple, Bridgeville

Did you know throwing scrapple as far as you can is a sport in SoDel? It's a crazy contest that'll feature politicians as contestants at the 31st annual Apple Scrapple Festival in Bridgeville.

This celebration of apples and scrapple attracts about 20,000 guests yearly, according to the festival's website. 

The two-day event includes the Little Miss Apple Scrapple Pageant, food and artisan vendors, live music and more. The day before the festival is the Rappa Scrapple Recipe Contest, and the Apple Baking Contest. 

The festival is held multiple places in Bridgeville (including Union Street) starting at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13; and at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14. Visit applescrapple.com. 

Wings & Wheels, Georgetown

Sweet rides and aircraft are the stars of this show. The 15th annual Wings & Wheels on Saturday (the main event) displays new and vintage rides, along with retro planes like WWII warbirds. Fighters, bombers, jets and biplanes (new and old) will be on view. Food and craft vendors will be on tap, plus kid's activities, live music, face painting and more fun.

Delaware Coastal Airport (21553 Rudder Lane, Georgetown) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. All parking is $5 and held at Sussex Academy (21150 Airport Road, Georgetown). Visit wings-wheels.com. 

Boast the Coast, Lewes

This water baby of an event was conceived in 1996 to show off Lewes' nautical roots. The 27th annual Boast the Coasts has fall sidewalk sales, a pirate clown, free canal boat rides by Freedom Boat Club, free tours at Cannonball House, Life-Saving Station and Lightship Overfalls. There's also an artist gallery with works for sale, Coastal Concerts piano performance, opening of the Peninsula Gallery, and other cool stuff.

Around Cannonball House (118 Front St., Lewes) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7. Visit leweschamber.com or (302) 645-8073. 

Delaware Renaissance Faire, Townsend

Sword fighting, belly dancing and lots of mead (plus more excitement) will be on tap at the Delaware Renaissance Faire, which is three-times longer this year.

Last year's inaugural festival attracted about 3,000 guests in a sellout, and now organizers said they anticipate up to 12,000 people. They also expect to sell out dates this year, too. There are over 100 craft and food vendors to charm revelers.   

Tickets are available for an early-bird special at a discounted rate. That sale ends at midnight on Tuesday, Oct. 10. 

The faire has expanded from one weekend to three with events on Saturdays and Sundays, starting Oct. 28 to 29 through Nov. 11 to 12. 

Single Day Pass: Adult (ages 15+) $18; child (ages 5-14) $9; young child (ages 4 or younger) free; special admission (ages 65+, vets, Peace Corps or disabled guests) $14

VIP Day Pass: (includes a VIP lanyard, a merchandise package, a free round at the archery or throwing range, and VIP seating in the pub) $30

Season Pass: (good for admission to all faire dates) $50

VIP Season Pass: (VIP admission to all faire dates) $75

Fire Base Lloyd (446 Fleming Landing Road, Townsend) on Saturday, Oct. 28; Sunday, Oct. 29; Saturday, Nov. 4; Sunday, Nov. 5; Saturday, Nov. 11; Sunday, Nov. 12. Each day is 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., rain or shine. For tickets and more info, visit delafaire.com. 

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware Renaissance Faire, Apple Scrapple & more fall festivals