Your guide to the Delaware beaches for the last week of June
What's a heat wave matter when you've got 26 miles of Atlantic Ocean beaches?
It's the last week of June, and locals and tourists alike are searching for an empty spot to stake claim to at the Delaware beaches. The dragonflies are buzzing, the dolphins are jumping and the horseshoe crabs are ... mating. There was even a whale sighting in Bethany Beach!
Unfortunately, there were multiple police incidents in recent days, too. Two very serious crimes occurred on the Delaware beaches, which is nearly unheard of.
All you need to know related to safety, weather, events and more can be found below. Delaware Online/The News Journal offers this guide to the Delaware beaches every week in the summer, so check back next week, too.
Weather
It's been hot and dry at the Delaware beaches for some time. That will continue Wednesday with highs in the upper 80s, the National Weather Service predicts.
The area may finally see some rain Wednesday night. Showers are likely with a chance of thunderstorms going into Thursday, but skies are expected clear by afternoon, with temperatures in the lower 80s.
Friday and Saturday are your best beach days, expected to be sunny with temperatures ranging from the upper 70s to the mid-80s. On Sunday, there's a 50% chance of rain, so the sky will be at least partly cloudy.
Crime and safety
Awareness is key to safety, and last week, there were two police incidents beachgoers should know about.
Just after midnight on June 19, Rehoboth Beach Police were "made aware of" a sexual assault that occurred on the beach in the area of Brooklyn Avenue. "The victim was taken to a hospital within the state where they were treated and released. The suspect is still at large at this time," a news release said. The age of the victim and exactly when the assault occurred is unknown. Police have declined to provide any more information about the incident, citing an open investigation. They have also ignored requests for advice for concerned beachgoers.
Two 22-year-old men were arrested June 22 after police said they "dunked" a 7-year-old by "pushing him underwater for several seconds" in the area of the Cape Henlopen State Park fishing pier. When the child's mother noticed "bleeding scratches on her child’s chest, arm and back," she started yelling at the suspects, one of which shoved her twice, police said. One of the men was charged with felony child abuse: recklessly/intentionally causing physical injury to a child with intellectual disabilities.
While the victims obviously aren't responsible for crimes committed against them, if your kids are on the Delaware beaches, it can't hurt to talk to them about how to handle strangers. Don't get lax on commonsense safety practices, even on vacation.
Tents and canopies
Recently, there have been numerous reports of people using tents and canopies on beaches where they aren't allowed. Here's a refresher on which towns allow them and which don't.
Lewes: Four-post canopies prohibited.
Rehoboth: Tents, tarps, cabanas, pavilions, canopies, "sportsbrellas" and similar devices are prohibited, with the exception of baby tents up 36 inches high, wide and deep.
Dewey: Canopies and open-sided tents are permitted but must be set up behind lifeguard stands.
Bethany: No tents, canopies, tarps or cabanas, with the exception of baby tents no larger than 3 feet high, 4 feet wide and 5 feet long. Grounding lines must be within the confines of the tent.
South Bethany: Canopies are allowed.
Fenwick Island: Tents must be open on at least three sides with a maximum of 8 inches in diameter and height OR a maximum of 10 inches in width and length and 8 inches in height. Grounding lines must be within the confines of the tent. Tents must be placed at least 10 feet apart.
Visit your town's website for more information.
Events and things to do
The Jurassic-themed Nick's Mini Golf is now open at 19268 Old Landing Road in Rehoboth Beach, adding to the long list of things to do at the Delaware beaches.
On top of the arcades, theme parks, water parks, theaters, hiking trails, kayak rentals and more, most of the beach towns offer free concerts and movies at least once a week. Check your town's website for details. There are also comprehensive event calendars on the websites of the Bethany - Fenwick Area, Rehoboth Beach - Dewey Beach and Lewes Chambers of Commerce.
Here are the major events happening this weekend.
More: Rocking the Docks: National bands headline Delaware summer concert series. Tickets on sale
Freeman Arts Pavilion: Wednesday, June 26, 5:30 p.m., Michael Franti & Spearhead; Friday, June 28, 7 p.m., The Super '70s Concert Experience featuring Super Trans Am; Saturday, June 29, 10 a.m., Ms. Niki's Music Class, 7 p.m., Back to the Eighties Show with Jessie’s Girl. Visit freemanarts.org.
Dickens Parlour Theatre: Wednesday, June 26, 6:30 p.m., magician Dave Cox; Thursday, June 27, 6:30 p.m., The Stetson Experience; Friday, June 28, 6:30 p.m., The Stetson Experience; Saturday, June 29, 6 p.m., Bryan Clark's Art of the American Song, 6:30 p.m., The Stetson Experience; Sunday, June 30, 12 p.m., Ladies Only Psychic Party, 6:30 p.m., The Stetson Experience. Visit dickensparlourtheatre.com.
Clear Space Theatre Company: Wednesday, June 26, and Thursday, June 27, 7:30 p.m., "Jersey Boys"; Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29, 7:30 p.m., "Rock of Ages." Visit clearspacetheatre.org.
Milton Theatre: Thursday, June 27, 6 p.m., Quayside with Nick Kashmanian Trio, 8 p.m., Fooz Fighters: Award-Winning Foo Fighters Tribute Band; Friday, June 28, 8 p.m., Brightside: The Killers Tribute; Saturday, June 29, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Lights Out: Tribute to Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons; Sunday, June 30, 7:30 p.m., Adrenalize: The Ultimate Def Leppard Experience. Visit miltontheatre.org.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What to know, do at the Delaware beaches this week: Your guide
