The 47th Annual Great Delaware Kite Festival, Lewes, DE

Image Courtesy of Southern Delaware

The weather may be frightful, so think warm thoughts and brush off your kite building skills in anticipation of the 47th Annual Great Delaware Kite Festival at Cape Henlopen State Park on Friday, April 3, 2015.

There is no entry fee for competitors. The competitions are in three age categories: Children-Up to age 12; Teens-13-17 and Adults-18 & older. Within each age category, kite flyers are judged by the type of kite they are flying — home-made or store-bought. The Special Class awards include the Open Individual Ballet (free flight performance accompanied by music which the entrant provides), Individual Precision (compulsory figures including “The Square,” “The Mount,” and “Ladder Down” judged on technical execution), Most Senior Flyer, Youngest Flyer, Flyer Furthest From Home, Smallest Kite and Largest Kite.

The Highest Kite Award category is open to all ages and takes place at approximately 12:15 p.m. There is no charge to watch. Entrance fees apply for cars to enter Cape Henlopen State Park which will be collected at the entrance to the park – $5 per car for Delaware license tags and $10 per car for out-of-state tags. The Jolly Trolley will transport spectators at no cost to the competition field from the state park’s beach parking lot and handicap parking is available at the Seaside Nature Center parking lot.

For those who have not made their own kites and want to participate, Kids’ Ketch and Rehoboth Toy & Kite Company will be on-site selling a wide variety of kites with amply space adjacent to the competition field to practice in advance of the competitions which begin at 10 a.m. Additionally, there are food vendors, a face painter and community organizations set up surrounding the field.

I may have to get my kites out. Back in the day, my high school had kite flying contests, and I took first place in two different categories two years in a row- once for smallest kite and once for highest flyer. Kite day was held half-day on a school day, and I missed about an hour of class winding my kite back in. If other students had known they would be excused from class, they might have entered.

Those kites are long gone, so I may take by dragon kite out for a whirl in 2015!

Schedule
10:00 am Registration begins
11:00 am Egg hunt
11:30 am Competition begins
12:30 pm First awards ceremony
1:15 pm Egg toss
1:45 pm Adult competition begins
2:15 pm Stunt flying demonstrations
2:45 pm Final awards ceremony
See more at: http://www.leweschamber.com/event/great-delaware-kite-festival#sthash.1BBHV2ih.dpuf

Making Your Dream Wedding Come True: Part 3

A Verdant Wedding

The term “Green Wedding” takes on a new meaning when celebrated among the verdant fields and quiet country roads of Nassau Valley Vineyards, Delaware’s first award winning winery.

Chardonnay: Wikipedia: Jenavive

Nassau Valley is a truly unique venue that can easily accommodate your celebration of 20 – 400 guests. The winery has several options for you to choose from depending on the time of year and number of guests you are trying to accommodate.

The Bacchus Grove, a 40 year old stand of Sycamore trees that looks out over the fields and vineyards, provides a particularly dramatic backdrop. In the summer the rustling giant leaves provide an airy shaded canopy for outdoor functions. In the warm early autumn days, the Grove becomes a sun dappled wooded glen. Check out their website for all of their indoor and outdoor sites

Nassau Valley Vineyards

32165 Winery Way

Lewes, DE

302-645-9463

Making Your Dream Wedding Come True: Part 2

Talk like a Pirate

Many of you who regularly travel to South Delaware for the summer are familiar with the Pirates of Lewes, a family favorite; expeditions pirate ship charter. Children of all ages enjoy a swashbuckling pirate adventure of fantasy and fun. What you may not realize is that the same ship is available for adult parties, and the accommodating owner promises “what happens on the pirate ship stays on the pirate ship.”

One enterprising groom—to-be chartered the ship for an afternoon. Friends enjoyed the caterers’ grog while searching for pirates’ booty. After defeating the “very bad pirate,” the triumphant young man hauled up the treasure chest from the water’s depths, popped open the lid and surprised his girlfriend with a diamond engagement ring. While I would suggest using a synthetic diamond for the proposal, and replacing it with the real thing when back on land, the owner promises that he “hasn’t lost a treasure chest yet.”

Pirates of Lewes

Anglers Marina in Historic Lewes, DE

302-249-3538

www.piratesoflewesexpeditions.com

Making Your Dream Wedding Come True: Part 1

Selecting the right theme for your wedding, party, or engagement can make all the difference when crafting an event that is both memorable and enjoyable. Whether you choose to make your day whimsical or romantic; silly or sophisticated, local venues can help you to create a distinctive event that is both fun and festive.

Romance on the High Seas

Kalmar Nyckel
Wikipedia: Original up loader was Halfblue at en.wikipedia

A cruise ship wedding may be out of reach during tough economic times, but that does not mean that you have to forgo the romance of a shipboard wedding. The Kalmar Nyckel, Delaware’s own historic tall ship, sails from two ports every season, making it easy to coordinate your wedding plans.

The original Kalmar Nyckel sailed from Sweden to the New World in 1638 leaving its passengers to establish the first permanent European settlement in the Delaware Valley, the Colony of New Sweden in present-day Wilmington, Delaware.

Today, intimately sized weddings of 75 people or less can sail from either Wilmington or Lewes. The Kalmar Nyckel does not have an onboard kitchen, so any food services must be provided by your caterer, and you must supply your own officiant.

If 75 guests is too small a gathering, up to 90 guests can attend your celebration dockside, with the ship forming a dramatic backdrop or stage for your vows.

Kalmar Nyckel Foundation

1124 East 7th Street

Wilmington, DE

302-429-7447

This story was first published in the News Journal in 2009, under the byline of Gail A. Sisolak. All copyrights reserved.

Winter at the Beach: Part 4

The view from my room at the romantic Inn at Canal Square. © Gail A. Sisolak

The luxurious Inn at Canal Square offers sumptuous accommodations and gourmet breakfasts in their “Nantucket-Style” retreat located on the banks of the canal. Winter weekend programs include the opportunity to join Delaware’s own Kevin Fleming, noted photographer and publisher. Fleming will describe his experiences photographing scenes for his latest book “Wild Delaware” and present examples of those rare moments he was able to capture. The next morning, tour some of the parks that Fleming frequented. (www.theinnatcanalsquare.com)

Hotel Rodney: © Gail A. Sisolak

The Hotel Rodney is a gem of a boutique hotel located in the heart of Lewes’ historic district; within strolling distance of a myriad of colorful shops and restaurants. Although the building was constructed in 1926, the interior has been remodeled from top-to-bottom. The striking décor manages to balance early 20-th century architecture with sleekly sophisticated design and appointments.  Crisp, comfortable and chic, Hotel Rodney offers a stylish respite close to all the action. (www.hotelrodneydelaware.com)

This story was first published in the News Journal in 2008, under the byline of Gail A. Sisolak. All copyrights reserved.