REHOBOTH BEACH, Del.- The City of Rehoboth Beach is buzzing with excitement as the 2023 Sea Witch Festival is expected to kick off tomorrow. The festival has been a cherished tradition for over three decades. The three-day event has a host of activities lined up.
Here’s a breakdown of key information to ensure a smooth festival experience:
Parking and Street Closures:
A major change is the parking restrictions coming into effect on Rehoboth Avenue, the festival's focal point. On Saturday the avenue will be closed to all traffic from 2 a.m. until the Costume Parade fencing is removed, around 4 p.m.
Adjacent side streets within the city are designated for parking. Signage indicating prohibited parking areas will be posted, and adherence is mandatory to avoid tickets or towing at the owner's expense.
DART Park and Ride is also available. DART's pick-up and drop-off location for festival goers will be at Lake Avenue by the Henlopen Hotel at the Boardwalk, 6 a.m. -5 p.m. After 5 p.m, Route 201 pickup/dropoff at the Bandstand will resume.
There is free transportation available on Route 201 Saturday, from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Last trip is from Downtown Rehoboth leaves at 10:30 p.m.
Costume Parade:
The Costume Parade is one of the festival's hallmark events, slated to begin at 11 a.m. Saturday. The parade route starts at 4th Street and enters Rehoboth Avenue headed west to State Road then turn left on Rehoboth Avenue headed east and then turn at the Bandstand to return to 4th Street.
This year’s parade will be led by the 2022 Business of the Year, Rehoboth Beach Running Co.
Awards and Recognition:
A judging panel will evaluate costumed walkers during the parade, and winners will be announced post-event. Trophies will be awarded to the top 25 costumed walkers, top 10 motorized vehicles, and the judges’ favorite bands. Winners will be posted & trophies will be available for pick up at the Info Table Area after 2 p.m. on Saturday and will be listed on Beach-Fun.com by 5 p.m. on Monday.
Bad Weather Plan:
In the event of bad weather conditions leading to the cancellation of the Costume Parade, notifications will be posted on the Chamber’s social media pages and recorded updates will be available at 302-227-6446. There is no scheduled rain date for the Costume Parade.
Shopping and Entertainment:
Besides the parade, the festival boasts an array of outdoor and indoor artisans and vendors around the Downtown Rehoboth Bandstand Area and the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center. Festival merchandise will be available, and attendees can indulge in a variety of handmade products. There will also be indoor kids’ activities like a magic show, balloon twisting, and a juggling show. Live music can also be found inside the convention center.
For more information on the event, you can check out the Sea Witch Festival Program.