< PreviousGreater Mil- ford, 302-422- 3344 or visit www.milford- chamber.com. Sept. 21- Nov. 2. - Fi- fer’s Corn Maze and Fall Fest. The event usually in- cludes a themed corn maze, and fall u-play area featuring a straw maze, pump- kin painting, straw slides, and lots of fall games. u-pick pump- kin patch, apple cider samples and fresh apple cider donuts for sale. Call 302-697-2141 or visit www.fiferorchards.com for info on this year’s events. OCTOBER Oct. – 22nd Annual CDCC Holiday Gift Auction. Visit CDCC.net or call 302-734-7513 for more info. Oct. - St. John’s the Apostle Catholic Church Oktoberfest. The two-day event takes place on the grounds of St. John’s campus in Milford and features German food and children’s games and entertainment. Call 302-422-5123 or visit www.st- johnsmilford.com for info. Oct. – 33rd annual Delmarva Folk Festival to Fill the Air with Music- Farm fresh folk tunes will fill the air. Two days of music, camping & family fun at G & R campground, 4075 Gun & Rod Club Rd., Houston. For more info, call 302-992-8080 or visit www.delfolk.org. Oct. - OkDoverFest in Downtown Dover – Enjoy beer, mu- sic, food trucks and more. Visit www.destinationdowntowndo- ver.com for info. Oct. 8-10 –annual Paint Dover! 2024 Plein Air painting Event. This art event is part of a commitment to providing high quality arts programming in downtown Dover, and engaging the community members in seeing their beloved downtown through the eyes of talented artists. For info visit www.Down- townDoverPartnership.com. Oct. 12 – Apple Scrapple at Antique Alley of Bridgeville and Downtown Alley. Visit antiquealleyde.com or call 302- 337-3137. Oct. 13 – Bowers Beach Heritage Day. The day will feature early crafts & skills, modern craft vendors, lots of food vendors including oysters! from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Bowers Beach Maritime Museum. The 5k begins at 9 a.m. For info about this year’s event call 302-222-6341 or visit bowersbeach.delaware. gov/museum/ or their facebook page. Oct. 16 - Milford Autumn Spooktacular Community Pa- rade, 6:30 p.m., downtown Milford. Call 302-422-6949 or visit www.milfordparade.com/ Oct. 19 - 15th Annual Monster Mile Walk for a Cause ben- efiting the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, Homestead Gardens, 5580 Dupont Hwy, Smyrna. Visit de- breastcancer.org/events/ Oct. 19 – 40th annual Delaware Amish Parochial School sale. 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., 764 Winding Creek Rd., Dover. Benefit auction to raise money for the Amish Parochial Schools. Cash only. Oct. 30 Holiday Gift Auction 5 – 8:30 pm, Dover Location TBD eled roads from Middletown to Clayton, Hartly, points south, and back. All routes will be marked with route arrows and have SAG support until 5 pm. There are rest stops along the routes at regular intervals, five on the Century route! Visit whiteclay- bicycleclub.org for info. Aug. 15-18 – Mondegreen 2024 Music Festival. Phish and other performers at The Woodlands of Dover Motor Speedway. Visit axs.com. Aug. 16-31 –Antique Alley of Bridgeville Red Tag Sale. Visit antiquealleyde.com or call 302-337-3137. Aug. 17 - Milford Hippiefest. Come celebrate the music of the 60’s and 70’s in the 3rd Annual Hippiefest! Enjoy some amazing music, great food, and wear your favorite tie dye at Causey Mansion, Milford. Benefits the Milford Museum. Tickets are always in demand sopurchase early! Call 302- 424-1080, email info@milfordDEmuseum.org or visit www. milforddemuseum.org. Aug. - Annual Delaware Beer, Wine & Spirits Festival. Del- aware Agricultural Museum & Village, 866 N DuPont Hwy, Dover. Call 302-734-1618 or visit debeerwinespirits.com or www.agriculturalmuseum.org. Aug. 24 - 45th Annual Harrington Heritage Day. There will be food, craft vendors, demonstrations, a parade and three mu- seums filled with our local history to explore. Call 302-398- 7975 or visit harrington.delaware.gov for more info. SEPTEMBER Sept. - Clayton Railroad Days Festival – The day usually is full of activities including a parade on Main Street in Clayton, a car show, a bounce house, face painting, balloon art, vendors, food, entertainment, games for children and trackless train rides. For info on this year’s event visit claytonhistoricalsoci- ety.org or contact info@claytonhistoricalsociety.org Sept. - 8th Annual Jeepers Back the Blue Jamboree. The two-day law enforcement appreciation event raises money for the families of Officers all over the U.S. The event includes law enforcement demos and displays, Jeeps driving on the Monster Mile NASCAR track, vendors, camping, live music, a kid’s zone, an Honor Guard ceremony with Delaware State Police pipes and drums and lots of raffles at Dover Motor Speedway. Visit www.jeepersbacktheblue.org. Sept. 6 – National Food Bank Day at Antique Alley of Brid- geville. Bring in a canned good for the Food Bank and receive 10% off your purchase. Visit antiquealleyde.com or call 302- 337-3137. Sept. 6-7 – Fall Gathering Open House at Simply Charming. Browse through the boutiques located throughout the stores to find the perfect fall decorations and gifts. Located at 2 S. Rail- road Avenue in Wyoming and at 11 Mill St.., 302-697-7377 Sept. 7 – 38th Annual Amish Country Bike Tour and Race - All ages and abilities are invited to participate in 15, 25, 50, 62 and 100 mile loops through flatland Amish countryside each of which starts and stops at Legislative Mall. Famous pie stop and after tour catered picnic with live music. Fee, 800-233-5368 or visit bikede.org or www.visitdelawarevillages.com. Sept. 14 – Fall Open House at Antique Alley of Bridgeville and Downtown Alley. Discounts, door prizes & more. Visit an- tiquealleyde.com or call 302-337-3137. Sept. 21 – 23rd Annual Riverwalk “Freedom” Festival. Enjoy this outdoor festival featuring kid’s activities, live music, ven- dor, plenty of good food, beer garden, and fireworks in down- town Milford, sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce for Page 18 2024 Central Delaware Visitors Guide Fall & Holiday Events - from page 17 See FALL & HOLIDAY EVENTS - Page 20 Milford Riverwalk Freedom Festival2024 Central Delaware Visitors Guide Page 19 Central Delaware Attractions - from page 14 inson Plantation at the intersection of Routes 9 and 113 be- low the Dover Air Force Base in Kent County. Look for signs designated the byway. The route offers a leisurely and scenic alternative to Route 13 and the Route 1 Bypass. Rusty Wallace Racing Experience, 855-227-8789, race- withrusty.com/project/dover-international-speedway/ For a heart-pounding experience, try the Rusty Wallace Racing Ex- perience where you can drive Monster Energy NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series cars on the Monster Mile high banks at Do- ver International Speedway, 1131 N. Dupont Highway, Dover. Ride with a professional driver, or take a lesson and drive the racecar yourself. Call for reservations and ticket prices. Group tours available. Shady Lane Selections, No phone available. 1121B Victory Chapel Road, Dover, 302-674-3623, fiberartscenter.com/mem- ber/shady-lane-selections-llc/. Open Monday-Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed Thursday and Sunday. Shady Lane Selections of- fers sewing supplies, fabric, and of course, wonderful hand- made Amish quilts in a variety of styles and prices. Past Byler’s Country Store on Route 8W, go to Victory Chapel Rd.; turn right onto Victory Chapel Rd. and go 1.2 miles. The quilt shop will be on the left. Simply Charming Gift Shops, 302-697-7377 The shops are currently open Tues- Sat. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sun. noon -4 p.m. They are located in a late 1800’s train station and in an 1800’s feed mill both in Wyoming. The shops were voted Best of Delaware in 2010 & 2011 for antiques and home accessories. Browse through the boutiques located throughout the stores to find the perfect gift. Located at 2 S. Railroad Avenue and at 11 Mill Street both in Wyoming. Call 302-697-7377 for info. Smyrna Museum Complex, 302-653-1320, www.smyrna. delaware.gov/365/Smyrna-Museum. Open Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. Located at 11 S. Main Street off US 13 (or via Route 6) in downtown Smyrna. Group tours available. Visitors enjoy the toys and dolls, Native American artifacts, historical paintings, and a no- table collection of over 400 pitchers. The museum includes a mid-1700’s plank house on site. Smyrna Opera House, 302-653-4236, 7 W. South St.,Smyrna, www.smyrnaoperahouse.org. Restored historic performing arts venue for events, theater, music, educational activities and en- tertainment. Smyrna Rest Area & Information Center, 302-653-8910 Open 24 hours. Admission is free. Located on US 13, 5500 N. Dupont Hwy. north of Smyrna. Accessible via US 13 and Route 1 bypass. This lovely visitor center and rest area offers lots of travel information, modern rest rooms, picnic and play- ground areas, and vending machines. Spence’s Amish Bazaar and Auction 302-734-3441 550 S. New Street, downtown Dover. Open Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays only, early morning until late afternoon. Auctions held every Tuesday and Friday at 12:30 p.m. Admission is free. Group tours available. Stop by Spence’s Bazaar to browse the open-air and enclosed auction and flea market. This popular community bazaar is the place to meet a variety of local resi- dents and area farmers selling their fresh produce. Lots of great food is available from the Amish community, including home- made sausages, meats and cheeses, breads, pies, baked goods and preserves, kettle potato chips, ice cream, and delicious roasted pork or turkey sandwiches. The Green and Golden Fleece Tavern, 1 The Green, Do- ver, archives.delaware.gospence The Green, a public area designated by William Penn in 1683, is the heart and spirit of Delaware’s “Constitution Place” historic district. At the site of the former Golden Fleece Tavern on The Green, Delaware’s constitutional delegates met on December 7, 1787 and were the first to officially ratify the newly penned Constitution of the United States. This bold action made Delaware “The First State” – the state that started a nation. A tavern sign and bronze plaque mark the site of this historic event. The Green has been important to Delaware since early colo- nial times. In 1776, the Declaration of Independence was read to the public here, sparking off a celebration that witnessed the public burning of King George’s portrait. It was on this soil that Delaware’s Continen- tal Regiment was mustered for service in the American Revolution. Numerous im- portant trials were held at the State House facing The Green. Now the site of Do- ver Days and summer out- door performances. The Old State House 302-744-5054, history. delaware.gov/museums. Guided tours of The Old State House are available Wed. – Sat. at 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. The Old State House is located on 25 The Green, on State Street, Dover. Group tours available by appointment. Built in 1791, the Old State House served as Delaware’s capi- tol during the United States’ critical early years as a nation. With additions and modifications, the building continued to serve as the state capitol until 1933. The restored courtroom, legislative chambers and offices, plus objects, paintings, architectural details, and reproductions help guests understand how early State and County government impacted the lives of men, women, children, slaves, and free blacks 200 years ago. The Old State House faces The Green, a public area designated by William Penn in 1683. Tre Sorelle Dolce Ice Cream & Mini Golf, 302-363-1909, www.tresorelledolcedelaware.com, Located at 27 S. Railroad Ave. on the Railroad tracks in Wyoming. They have outdoor seating and serve Hershey’s ice cream and Italian ice, sun- daes, milk shakes, breakfasts an outdoor 18 hole miniature golf course and an ice skating rink Nov. – March. Southern Delaware Golf Club, 302-491-7933. – Located at 6152 S. Rehoboth Blvd., in Milford. The course formerly known as Rookery North is being reopened in May with a new name, new restaurant, and grounds. Visit them on Facebook. Willey Farms Village, 302-378-8441, www.willeyfarmsde. com. Willey Farms, located at 4092 Dupont Parkway (Rt 13) in Townsend. Willey’s Market is open Mon. –Sat. 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Willey Farms Garden Center & greenhouses, the Old Barn, Mercantile and Willey’s On a Roll Food Truck are closed in Jan. & Feb. and will reopen in mid- March. Follow them on Facebook for updates on their reopen- ing offerings. Woodburn, The Governor’s Residence, 302-739-5656, www.woodburn.delaware.gov. Tours of Woodburn are open to the public Mon. through Fri., 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., by ap- pointment only. Woodburn is located at 151 Kings Highway, via Division Street (Route 8) off US 13. Old State HousePage 20 2024 Central Delaware Visitors Guide NOVEMBER Nov. 2 - Harvest Hustle 5k Run/Walk - Enjoy a relaxing 3.1 mile jog/run/walk on a flat road course with views of apple or- chards, peach orchards, fall scenery and other Fifer farmlands. Benefits: The American Cancer Society - In Memory of Pat Vincent. Call 302-697-2141 or visit www.fiferorchards.com. Nov. 2 - First State Heritage Park 18th-Century Market Fair, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on The Green in Dover. Fun for the whole family. Trade & craft demonstrations, living history charac- ters, food & drink, children’s activities. Free admission, rain or shine. For information call 302-739-9194 or visit www.destate- parks.com/marketfair/ Nov. 7-10 – Holiday Open House at Simply Charming. Browse through the boutiques located throughout the stores to find the perfect Holiday décor and gifts. Located at 2 S. Rail- road Avenue in Wyoming and at 11 Mill Street. Call 302-697- 7377 or visit www.simplycharmingde.com for info. Nov. 9 – Christmas Open House at Antique Alley of Brid- geville and Downtown Alley. Discounts, door prizes & more. Visit antiquealleyde.com or call 302-337-3137. Nov. 21 – 18th Annual Holiday Auction & Tastes of Milford. Milford Elks Lodge, 18951 Elks Lodge Rd., Milford from 6-9 p.m. Visit www.milfordchamber.com. Nov. 29 – Black Friday Discounts at Antique Alley of Brid- geville and Downtown Alley. Visit antiquealleyde.com or call 302-337-3137. Nov. 30 – Dec. 21 - A Farmer’s Christmas at the Dela- ware Agricultural Museum in Dover. Young and old can en- joy the sights and sounds of the holiday at the Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village. The Museum and Village is trans- formed through the hard work of our volunteers into a Christmas wonderland. In the main building, young visitors can try their hand at a variety of holiday crafts such as paper quilling, bead wreaths and yarn dolls, or they can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Young and old can enjoy sipping hot mulled cider while listening to a variety of holiday musi- cal performances or observing the many artisans demonstrat- ing their crafts.After enjoying all of the activities inside the Museum, visitors can take a stroll down the “Avenue of Trees” (consisting of over 40 decorated trees) and step back in time as they step outside and enter our authentic 1890’s village. In the Village they will hear carolers singing traditional Christmas music; see a live nativity scene at the church; enjoy the aroma of cookies baking in the farmhouse wood-stove oven; watch a blacksmith hard at work in the blacksmith shop and be capti- vated by ghost stories being told at the train station. Great fun for all ages.1-5 p.m. Call 302-734-1618 or visit www.agricul- turalmuseum.org. Nov. 30 -Small Business Saturday, Central Delaware. Kick off the Holiday season by visiting local shops throughout Cen- tral Delaware for Holiday specials, personal service and unique gift ideas. Nov. 30 – Small Business Saturday Discounts at Antique Al- ley of Bridgeville and Downtown Alley. Visit antiquealleyde. com or call 302-337-3137. Nov. 30 –Dec. 21 – Donuts with Santa, Saturdays at Fifer Orchards, 1919 Allabands Mill Rd., Camden Wyoming. Call 302-697-2141 or visit www.fiferorchards.com for info. Nov. 30 -Santa Arrives in downtown Milford -Elf & Sugar- plum Parade. Visit Santa in Downtown Milford 11-11:15 a.m. Milford’s Santa’s House, Walnut St. & Mispillion River. For info on this year’s Santa appearances, visit the downtown Mil- ford Santa facebook page or call 302-839-1180. Nov. 30- Dec. 22 – Visit Santa in Downtown Milford, Mil- ford’s Santa’s House, Walnut St. & Mispillion River, Fri., Sat. & Sun. Visit downtownmilford.org or the downtown Milford Santa facebook page or call 302-839-1180 for hours. DECEMBER Dec. - Capital Holiday Celebration. Kick off the Holiday Season in Downtown Dover! Caroling with local school chil- dren and dignitaries by City Hall, tree lighting ceremony with the Mayor of Dover, children’s craft area in the Dover Pub- lic Library, free hot chocolate and cookies, a visit from Santa Claus and more. Shop Local—Downtown Merchants will be open until 8:00 p.m. Visit www.cdcc.net, www.downtowndo- verpartnership.com or call 302-678-2940 for info. Dec. - Christmas in Clayton – The day begins with break- fast with Santa at the Clayton Fire Hall, followed by outdoor vendors and hay rides with Santa from 2 p.m. til 4 p.m. The Smyrna/Clayton Christmas Parade will take place at 5 p.m. and the Memorial Tree Lighting will begin at 6 p.m. For info visit claytonhistoricalsociety.org. Dec. Harrington Christmas Tree Lighting- The annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony is usually held at the Nor- man Barlow Pavilion, beginning at 6 p.m. Call 398-3530 or visit harrington.delaware.gov for more info on this year’s tree lighting. Dec. - City of Harrington Christmas Parade. Lights, floats, bands, and the jolly old elf himself, Santa, all come together to bring joy and warm to the holiday season. Call 398-3530 or visit harrington.delaware.gov for more info. Dec. 5- Capital Holiday Celebration 5-8pm, Downtown Do- ver Dec. 7 – Dashing through Downtown Dover Parade. The Pa- rade usually marches down Loockerman Street in Downtown Dover beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more info on this year’s pa- rade visit www.facebook.com/dashingthroughdover/. Dec. 7 – Milford’s Annual Holiday Stroll & Christmas Market. Visit downtown Milford to enjoy live entertainment throughout the streets, visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus, and much more from 3-8 p.m. For info call 302-839-1180 or visit www. downtownmilford.org. Dec. 12 – Holiday Sip & Shop at Simply Charming. Browse through the boutiques located throughout the stores and enjoy some beverages to find the perfect Holiday décor and gifts. Located at 2 S. Railroad Avenue in Wyoming and at 11 Mill Street. Call 302-697-7377 or visit www.simplycharmingde. com for info. Dec. 13 – Ladies Night Out at Antique Alley of Bridgeville. Door prizes, wine and snacks from 6-8 p.m. Visit antiqueal- leyde.com or call 302-337-3137. Dec. 20 – Ugly Sweater Day at Antique Alley of Bridgeville and Downtown Alley. Visit antiquealleyde.com or call 302- 337-3137. Fall & Holiday Events - from page 18 DE Ag Museum A Farmer’s ChristmasWELCOME TO BRIGHT MINDS, CARING HEARTS AND TOTAL COMMITMENT. There is a place where you don’t have to choose quality over convenience. Where you don’t have to choose outstanding medical care over being cared about. Where a team of people have chosen to make health care more of what you want it to be, so that you can choose to have it all.2024 Spring and Summer Vacation Planner • Accommodations • Attractions • Festivals & Events • Homes Southern Delaware Enjoy the Outdoors in Southern DelawareEnjoy the Outdoors in Southern Delaware View this issue online at SouthernDelawareVacationPlanner.com Fun at Southern Fun at Southern Delaware FarmsDelaware Farms Spring EventsSpring Events Scan with your phone to view this issue Butch Comegys Summer EventsSummer Events Explorer Explorer Southern DelawareSouthern Delaware 33rd Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics33rd Polar Bear Plunge for Special Olympics VOL. 29 NO. 1 - February 2024COMPLIMENTARY Attractions and Events MagazineAttractions and Events Magazine Now Featuring Southern Delaware Homes Section Use your phone photo app to read this issue ShoppingShoppingAntiques Area Map Events HomesAntiques Area Map Events Homes Find Your Southern Find Your Southern Delaware HomeDelaware Home Enjoy Winter Enjoy Winter State Park ProgramsState Park Programs 28 th Year Highlighting Southern Delaware’s Treasures Valentine’s DayValentine’s Day Gift IdeasGift Ideas Southern Delaware 2024 Spring & Summer Vacation Planner Is Now Available at www.SouthernDelawareVacationPlanner.com CLICK TO VIEW the most recent issue of CLICK TO VIEW the most recent issue of Southern Delaware EXPLOREREXPLORER Like or Follow Our Facebook Page at facebook. comSouthernDelawareExplorerMagazine to view our latest posts highlighting information between our issues Accommodations • Attractions • Festivals & Events 20242024 Visitors Guide Visitors Guide View this Visitors Guideonline at CentralDelawareVisitorsGuide.comView this Visitors Guideonline at CentralDelawareVisitorsGuide.com SpringSpring Events SummerSummer E vEnts E vEnts DiscoverDiscover Central Delaware’s Outdoors FallFall E vEnts www.CentralDelawarevisitorsguide.com CLICK TO VIEW the most recent issue of Central Delaware 2024 Visitors Guide Available online at Now Featuring Southern Delaware HomesNext >