by Suzy Casey
Scoot out and relish in some of North Delaware’s most favorite and infamous, world-class, all-star LOCAL spring festivals – most are rain or shine. This happening list is jammed packed and conveniently presented for you in chronological order. Horses, flowers, cars, beer, running, cycling, food, wine, rides, racing, parades, history and music *whew*. MAY you find something here to intrigue your senses. If you don’t, you better run for the hills (no exaggeration there, #justsaying). Mark your calendars and book mark this page on every device. You are in for a WILD ride through New Castle County and slightly beyond this spring! Happy Spring!
Spoken Word Festival![](https://de-newcastlecounty.civicplus.com/ImageRepository/Document?documentID=17620)
Saturday, April 8th
The festival will open with poetry by Delaware’s Poets Laureate, The Twin Poets, whose compassion and commitment for their words is only outdone by their work in the community. The Twin Poets are the first African Americans to hold the post for Delaware and the first twins, siblings and spoken word artist to share the state title of laureate nationally. Inspirational performances include featured Storyteller, musician and vocalist TAHIRA; Richard Raw, wordsmith and community activist will perform with his blend of soul, spoken word, funk and hip-hop; and Griots Wa Umoja, a Performing Cultural Arts Ensemble, will present their mix of storytelling, percussion and dance. In addition, young artists who have participated in a free 6-week workshop with TAHIRA will have the opportunity to perform. All ages. Admission is FREE
Casting with Cops
Saturday, April 22nd
A fun day out of fishing with the great men and women of the New Castle County Police. Event includes catch-and-release (barbless) fishing*, NCCPD Mounted Police and K9 Unit Demonstrations, activities, raffles, giveaways and food. Bring your own rod and bait. A small number of loaner roads will be available. All ages. FREE
SPECIAL GUESTS: Appearing from 12 – 2 p.m. Marshall, Chase, and Skye from the PAW PATROL!
Country Spring Festival @ Carousel
Saturday, April 29th
Join us in welcoming spring with country line dancing, rodeo games & activities, crafts, hay rides & more. Stop by our Kids Corral & visit the barn babies. Get your picture taken with special guests; Belle and Moana. Food trucks and fun for the whole family. FREE
Spring Fest
Saturday, April 29, 2017
What better way to kick off the summer season than with a FREE festival?
• Live music
• Food trucks
• Family-friendly activities
Admission is FREE.
39th Annual Point-to-Point
Sunday, May 7, 2017
Enjoy a festive day of professional horse racing, elegant tailgating, and fun family activities. Kids of all ages will delight in the ever-popular pony rides, stick horse races, Winterthur Hunt, face painting, and canine-friendly activities for the family pup. Or, perhaps you’d like to dine trackside with an elegant brunch at our Winterthur Hunt Brunch Hospitality Tent. Point-to-Point has something for everyone. See you at the races!
Wilmington Flower Market![Wilmington-Flower-Market](http://northdelawhere.happeningmag.com/wp-content/uploads/Wilm-Flower-market-300x225.jpg)
Thursday thru Saturday, May 11-13th
The Wilmington Flower Market benefiting Wilmington’s Children since 1921. This 3 day family-fun event offers a fantastic variety of plants, market merchants, crafters, rides, games, concerts, entertainment, and an incredible selection of FOOD. Great ideas for Mother’s Day Gifts or heck, take Mom to the Market and relish in the festivities together! A FREE admission, rain or shine, event.
Beers ‘n Gears Festival
Saturday, May 13th 11am to 4pm
Beers ‘n Gears Car Show and Beer Festival. FREE Event for spectators! Come see Hot Rods, Muscles, Classics, Trucks, Exotics and more. There will be DJ Music and a whole lot of fun for everyone. Cruise through 30 different brewers each showcasing two beers for tasting.
14th Annual Discover Band Delaware Marathon™ Running Festival
Sunday, May 13-14th
The 14th Annual Delaware Marathon Running Festival is Delaware’s largest, oldest, biggest, and best running festival. It’s the biggest field ever, with 3500 participants.
Wilmington Grand Prix Weekend | Cycling Event & Street Festival
Friday thru Sunday, May 17th- 21st
The action starts Friday night (May 19) with the Monkey Hill Time Trial, a 3.2-mile race against the clock through Wilmington’s Brandywine Park. Saturday (May 20) will feature two amateur races in the morning, culminating with the Women’s Pro and Men’s Pro races in the afternoon. Sunday (May 21) will see the return of the Seventh Annual Governor’s Ride and the Sixth Annual Delaware Gran Fondo. Last year’s Gran Fondo attracted cyclists from 15 states (including Texas, Colorado and Florida) and three countries (including Australia and Canada) by offering them a scenic tour through the Brandywine Valley and some of Delaware’s most-prized cultural attractions. A course made famous during the Tour DuPont. Wilmington Grand Prix is an international cycling event that includes a FREE street festival, a parade, a recreational ride through a dozen world-class cultural attractions, sidewalk and course cafes, and a variety of free family rides and attractions.
A Day in Old New Castle Festival
Saturday, May 20, 2017 10am – 5pm
America’s oldest house and garden tour returns – Visit The Amstel House, Dutch House and Old Library Museums. 18 homes, 25 gardens, Civil War re-enactors, demos, music, carriage rides, childrens activities and more! Step back in time – Each year for the past 90+ years, tourists from across the region have enjoyed the chance to step back in time to the historic era when New Castle served as the capital of the fledgling colony of Delaware. A rain or shine event. For info, visit A Day in Old New Castle
Newark Memorial Day Celebration & Parade
Sunday, May 21st![Newark Memorial-Day-Parade-Delaware](http://northdelawhere.happeningmag.com/wp-content/uploads/Newark-Memorial-Day-Parade-Delaware-300x200.jpg)
Grab the family and march onward to Newark for a very special day in May! The Memorial Day celebration and parade honoring hose that have lost their lives in service to our country with marching units representing all branches of the service, veteran’s organizations, schools and community organizations parading down Main Street displaying the pride of our nation.
Nascar is Back in Dover & Fan Fest![Dover-International-Speedway-Nascar](http://northdelawhere.happeningmag.com/wp-content/uploads/Dover-autism-speaks-400-odds1.jpg)
Thursday-Sunday, June 1st-4th
Fans from all over the East Coast will head this weekend to the home of the Monster Mile. Race weekend in Delaware isn’t just about racing…it’s about community and a collection of the best sports fans in the world coming together for a weekend-long party in the capital of the First State. Throughout the weekend, fans will find no shortage of fun off the track and with a full docket of driver appearances and autograph sessions, free concerts, monster fun fan zone, and more, you’ll never be bored when NASCAR comes to Dover!
Greek Festival Wilmington
Tuesday-Saturday, June 6-10
OPA! Enjoy the LOCAL tastes of Greece with authentic homemade delicacies at the 42nd annual Wilmington Greek Festival. For 5 days, the parishioners of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church take you on a trip to the Old Country where you can close your eyes and imagine yourself in a Greek village where locals are celebrating an annual event. There will be plenty of “Kefi”, presence of joy and high spirits for you, your family, friends and co-workers to enjoy while attending our annual Greek Festival. A FREE admission rain or shine event. For more info, visit Greek Festival at Holy Trinity Orthodox Church.
St. Anthony’s Italian Festival![st-anthonys-italian-festival](http://northdelawhere.happeningmag.com/wp-content/uploads/st-anthonys-festival1-300x240.jpg)
Sunday thru Sunday, June 11-18
In the heart of Wilmington’s Little Italy, this week-long family festival is one of the largest around. Featuring home-made pastas and fabulous desserts in addition to amazing entertainment from mid-way attractions, carnival rides and games to traditional Italian dance bands and more. Families and singles alike delight in this city tradition. Come experience Italy in Wilmington’s “Little Italy”. In 2015 the festival will focus on the Abruzzo region. Many Italian-Americans in the St. Anthony’s community, and the Delaware region, trace their ancestry to Abruzzo. A rain or shine event.
FireFly Music Festival
Thursday thru Sunday, June 15-18
4 days, 9 stages, 140 bands and thousands of new friends . Along with headliners 21 Pilots, Weezer, The Weekend, Thurty Seconds to Mars and Chance the Rapper! The 2017 lineup also features Flume, The Shins, Mike Snow, Bob Dylan, Kesha, Busta Rhymes and over 100 additional acts performing across 9 stages. Don’t wait too long to purchase tickets.
DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival
Wednesday thru Saturday, June 21-24
DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival is the largest, multi-day, free, outdoor music festival on the East Coast. Taking place in downtown Wilmington. This festival has been the festival to hear artists perform some of Clifford’s work. Past festival patrons have heard Artists like Chic Corea, Jerry Gonzalez, Pete Escovedo and his orchestra, KEM, Jonathan Butler, Lalath Hathaway, Kirk Whalum, Rick Braun, and Norman Brown have all performed here. A FREE admission rain or shine event.
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