Delaware has pirate festival with cannons, other wild events for Memorial Day weekend

Andre Lamar, Delaware News Journal
Updated ·6 min read

The unofficial start of summer is so close that we can taste its funnel cake flavor in every Delaware county.

So, it begs the question: What cool plans do you have for Memorial Day weekend?

Whether you have a laundry list of ideas or none at all, we've got no shortage of sweet events (including concerts and festivals) for you to check out during that holiday weekend in the First State.

Poseidon Festival, Bethany Beach

You can go under the sea without getting wet at the Poseidon Festival. This four-day event celebrates the sea with pirates, mermaids, music, a costume contest and more fun.

  • Poseidon Festival opens Friday, May 24, with the Aloha Summer Luau Show featuring exotic dancers and a fire knife performance (7:30 p.m.).

  • On Saturday, May 25, guests are tempted to wear their favorite pirate and mermaid outfits for the costume parade that starts on the boardwalk in front of Bethany Beach Ocean Suites (2 to 2:30 p.m.). That same day features live music by 3 Hour Tour (1 and 3 p.m.) and Entrain (7:30 p.m.). Youngsters can also meet Captain Jack and his pirate crew Saturday and Sunday (1 to 5 p.m.); and folks can discover the world of mermaids with "Mermaid Mania" on Saturday and Sunday (1 to 5 p.m.).

  • On Sunday, May 26, festivalgoers will have a chance to learn about marine science (1 to 4 p.m.) and the Marine Education, Research, and Rehabilitation Institute (1 to 4 p.m.), meet first responders (5:30 to 7 p.m.), and listen to a concert by the U.S. Navy Country Current (7 p.m.).

  • On Monday, May 27, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7234 will honor the meaning of Memorial Day at 11 a.m.

Downtown Bethany Beach (near Bethany Bandstand) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 24; 10:30 a.m. to after 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25; 1 p.m. to after 8 p.m. Sunday, May 26; and 11 a.m. Monday, May 27. For the full schedule of events, visit townofbethanybeach.com/497/Poseidon-Festival.

Henlopen Springfest, Milton

The second Henlopen Springfest is a one-stop shop of entertainment that includes a car and truck show, live music, a cornhole tournament and kids’ activities. But that’s not all.   The car and truck show are from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (with registration from 9 a.m. to noon). Registration is $20 and preregistration (day of) is $25. A 50/50 drawing will be available.

The cornhole tournament rules are double elimination with unlimited teams. Registration is 9 to 11:30 a.m., and the tourney starts at noon. The cost is $25 per person. Prizes are for first, second and third place.

Live entertainment features Charlie the Magician on the main stage (9:30 to 10:30 a.m.), and Girl on the Moon at the car show stage (10:55 to 11:55 a.m.).

A Memorial Day presentation will be held at noon on the main stage with the national anthem sung by Jovon Newman, along with a flyover by Jeff Corman. The Jovon Newman Band will play a set on the main stage at 12:05 p.m.    

Electric Velvet (with guest Nick Kashmanian) will play the car show stage from 12:45 to 2 p.m., followed by Bad River on the main stage from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Ty Sherwood & The Brackish Water Boys will hit the car show stage from 4 to 5:15 p.m., followed by Trailer Park Casanovas on the main stage from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m.

Firefighters and local police invite the public to check out their vehicles in person at the Henlopen Springfest.

Hudson Fields (29763 Eagle Crest Road, Milton) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Tickets are $10; free for children under age 12. Visit henlopenspringfest.com or (302) 448-1021.

Erin Dickins concert, Lewes

A founder member of the acclaimed The Manhattan Transfer, jazz vocalist Erin Dickins has developed a legacy as one of the best studio singers in New York. She's recorded with big names like James Brown, The Talking Heads, Bette Midler, Ashford & Simpson, and Leonard Cohen, to name a few.

Dickins aims to make a splash when she grooves fans at her Lewes concert, joined with special guests Ed Shockley, Cody Munzert and Paul Cullen.

The Room at Cedar Grove (32882 Cedar Grove Road, Lewes) from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, May 26. Tickets are $50. Visit paulkares.simpletix.com.

Hoedown Hustle, Middletown

Country lovers are all over Delaware, and you'll find some upstate at The Hoedown Hustle. Put on your cowboy boots and enjoy tunes spun by the DJ, choreographed line dancing lessons, finger-licking BBQ, a mechanical bull and a costume contest, plus other entertainment.

Thousand Acre Farm (260 Reedy Point Road, Middletown) from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Visit $40-$110. Visit harpandhare.com.

Bowers Beach Buccaneer Bash

Merchant Everett Howell likes the Pirates coming in from their voyages as he can charge them top dollar for his goods.
Merchant Everett Howell likes the Pirates coming in from their voyages as he can charge them top dollar for his goods.

Brave swashbucklers of all ages have a habit of voyaging to Bowers Beach during the holiday weekend for the annual Buccaneer Bash.

This two-day festival takes seafarers back to the 18th century to experience pirate life through demonstrations, music, petting zoo, food, craft and modern vendors, and activities in multiple locations in downtown Bowers Beach. Yes, there will be cannons and a treasure hunt!   Downtown Bowers Beach from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 25 and Sunday, May 26. Visit Bowers Beach Buccaneer Bash on Facebook or call (302) 222-6341.

Best Shot: Pat Benatar Tribute, Milton

There's a low ticket warning for the band Best Shot: Pat Benatar Tribute, a group that will headline the Milton Theatre on Sunday, May 26.
There's a low ticket warning for the band Best Shot: Pat Benatar Tribute, a group that will headline the Milton Theatre on Sunday, May 26.

Love is a battlefield and Pat Benatar's music serves as a medic. The band Best Shot: Pat Benatar Tribute takes you back to the '80s for a trip down memory lane with hits from one of the hottest artists of that time. But if you wait too long to buy tickets, you might lose the battle of seeing this band because they have a low-ticket warning.

Milton Theatre (110 Union St., Milton) at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 26. Tickets are $27-$35. Visit miltontheatre.com or (302) 684-3038.

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Kristen & the Noise concert, Dewey Beach

Kristen & The Noise will play The Starboard in Dewey Beach on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.
Kristen & The Noise will play The Starboard in Dewey Beach on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.

Fan favorite Kristen and the Noise will serve up an acoustic, nighttime set on Memorial Day. Kristen has built a reputation around the mid-Atlantic region, rocking tons of stages with her band, playing everything from Top 40 tunes to rap, classic rock and oldies. 

The Starboard (2009 Coastal Highway, Dewey Beach) at 10 p.m. Visit thestarboard.com or (302) 227-4600. 

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Memorial Day weekend 2024: Poseidon Festival, Buccaneer Bash and more