They say April showers bring May flowers, but in our opinion April brings some of our favorite spring events! As the weather warms and the days continue to grow longer and longer, we look forward to spending more time outdoors enjoying our local festivals and events. Salisbury, St. Michaels, Easton, Lewes, Rehoboth, Bethany, Cambridge, Berlin and Ocean City are all busy with local happenings this month, including WineFest at St. Micheals, Berlin’s Annual Spring Fling, the Lewes Tulip Festival, and three area Restaurant Weeks. It’s time to celebrate spring on Delmarva!

Annual Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival

When: Saturday, April 2, 11am-4pm

Where: Downtown Rehoboth

What: Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate…need we say more?? The 26th Annual Rehoboth Beach Chocolate Festival will provide attendees with a wide variety of chocolate treats made by chefs from the local food industry. $15 General Admission tickets yield 10 Chocolate Tastes with all proceeds to benefit Rehoboth Beach Main Street. For more information, call 302-227-2772.

Talbot Restaurant Week

When: Sunday, April 3 – Sunday, April 9

Where: Participating Restaurants

What: Enjoy specials all-week long as restaurants throughout Talbot County present their Restaurant Week menus. The week-long event begins with ‘Celebrate Talbot! Sample, Sip and Savor.’ The launch party will take place at The Tidewater Inn from 2pm until 4pm with chefs from local restaurants offering generous tastings. Tickets are $45 per person. The rest of the week will feature two-course lunches ($20.16) and three-course dinners ($35.16) at participating restaurants. For a full list, visit talbotrestaurantweek.com.

Snow White Ballet

When: Saturday, April 9, 2pm & 7pm

Where: Ocean City Performing Arts Center

What: The Eastern Shore Ballet presents Snow White in OCMD, with two show times: 2pm and 7pm. All tickets are $15.

Berlin Spring Celebration

When: Saturday, April 9, 10am-5pm

Where: Main Street, Berlin

What: Join all of your favorite characters from Alice in Wonderland in Berlin for the town’s annual Spring Celebration. Fun for all ages, the event includes games, crafts, facepainting, activities, a Children’s Tea Party and a movie at the Berlin Visitor’s Center.

Lewes Tulip Festival

When: April 7-April 16

Where: Lewes

What: The 7th Annual Lewes Tulip Festival promises to be another beautiful event in historic Lewes, as 15,055 tulips rise (quite literally) to the occasion. More than 100 varieties of tulips will be on display – locations can be found on the Tiptoe to the Tulips Map. Trolley tours are also available from April 7 through April 9 at 11:15am and 12:30pm for $10. Seating is limited; reservations can be made by calling the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 302-645-8073.

Cambridge Spring Fling

When: Saturday, April 9

Where: Cambridge Main Street

What: Celebrate spring in Cambridge with a combination of great food, live entertainment, and live and silent auctions. Chef Patrick Fanning and The High Spot will be presenting an incredible selection of appetizers, coupled with live entertainment from What’s Next, which was voted as Baltimore Magazine’s ‘Best Party Band’ in 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Salisbury Restaurant Week

When: Monday, April 11 – Sunday, April 17

Where: Participating Restaurants in Salisbury

What: Over 20 restaurants will participate in the 2nd Annual SBY Restaurant Week, which boasts exclusive prices and unforgettable dining experiences. The week kicks off with a Launch Party on Thursday, April 7 at Headquarter’s Live from 6pm until 8pm. The Launch Party will include food and wine samples from local restaurants along with live music and gift card giveaways. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. The rest of the week, enjoy specials at some of our favorite Salisbury restaurants. For more information, visit www.sbyrestaurantweek.com.

Ocean City Bridal Show

When: Sunday, April 10, 1pm-4pm

Where: Seacrets, Ocean City

What: The area’s top wedding vendors will gather at Seacrets on Sunday, April 10 for the annual OC Bridal Show. Tickets are $9 online or $10 at the door and include a free appetizer and dessert samples, live entertainment, dance demonstrations, and a bridal fashions expo and formal wear display. Vendors will also be giving away prizes and gifts, including a FREE Caribbean cruise for two.

Komen MD Ocean City Race for the Cure

When: Saturday, April 16, 7am

Where: Boardwalk, Ocean City

What: Survivors, friends and families of survivors, and local and visiting supporters will join forces on Saturday, April 16 for the 5th Annual Susan G. Komen Ocean City Race for the Cure. It’s a terrific opportunity to enjoy the Ocean City Boardwalk while raising money for Susan G. Komen and breast cancer research and awareness. The5K begins at the Inlet parking lot, continuing north to 17th Street, and ending back at the Inlet Lot where the Race Village will be. The Race Village will include vendor tents, activities, entertainment, and food and beverages. The Race Village opens at 7am, with the Survivor Parade set for 7:40am. The timed run and recreational run will start at 9am, followed by the Walk/Family Fun Walk and Kids for the Cure at 9:15am.

Ocean to Bay Bike Tour

When: Saturday, April 16

Where: Bethany Beach

What: Join more than 2,000 cyclists of all ages and skill levels at the annual Ocean to Bay Bike Tour. Individuals can choose to race in either the 30, 50 or Metric Century & Beebee Healthcare Century Ride. All routes start and end in Bethany, providing a beautiful ride with views of the beaches, the bays, historic landmarks, and Delaware’s stunning landscape. Contact the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce for more information.

Ocean City Spring Restaurant Week

When: Sunday, April 17-Sunday, May 1

Where: Participating Restaurants, Ocean City

What: Ocean City Restaurant Week returns this spring with TWO full weeks of deals and specials at participating restaurants. Restaurant Week affords diners with the chance to try new restaurants or visit old favorites while enjoying deals, prix fixe menu options, chef specials, and more. For more details, visit http://www.oceancityrestaurantweek.com.

Ward World Championship Carving Competition

When: Friday, April 22 – Sunday, April 24

Where: The Ward Museum, Salisbury

What: The annual Ward World Championship Carving Competition brings carvers and visitors from around the world to enjoy world class bird carvings and sculptures, a benefit auction, demonstrations, children’s activities and exhibitor booths, classes, and more. For more information, visit http://www.wardmuseum.org/.

Boardwalkin’ for Pets

When: Saturday, April 23, 8am-12pm

Where: Boardwalk, Ocean City

What: Easily one of our favorite events of the year, Boardwalkin’ for Pets invites animal-lovers and their furry companions to the Ocean City Boardwalk to enjoy a morning walk while raising money for the Worcester County Humane Society. Bring your own pet or opt to walk one of the shelter dogs for the day by making arrangements with the WCHS ahead of time. The event is rain or shine…but let’s hope for shine!

Dewey Beach/Rehoboth Beach Bacon Fest

When: Saturday, April 23 & Sunday, April 24

Where: Various Locations

What: Over 20 locations in Dewey Beach and Rehoboth will be participating in the 2016 Bacon Fest. Attendees can sample all of the delicious bacon creations, with two full days of fun this year, which culminates with the Best Bacon on the Beach Awards Ceremony at The Starboard. This year’s Bacon Fest will also benefit SoDel Cares. Visit iDewey.com for more information.

WineFest at St. Michaels

When: Saturday, April 23 & Sunday, April 24, Noon-5pm

Where: St. Michaels

What: A premier wine event, the 7th Annual WineFest at St. Michaels will feature hundreds of highly-rated International, U.S., and Maryland wines at tasting venues throughout St. Michaels. Talk with vendors about their respective wines, sip and sample all afternoon, and enjoy the beauty and history that St. Michaels has to offer.

Pork in the Park

When: Saturday, April 23 & Sunday, April 24

Where: Winterplace Park, Salisbury

What: Pork in the Park returns to Salisbury on April 23 & 24! The beloved Delmarva event is a BBQ lovers dream as the best of the best present their recipes. That’s not all though, expect plenty of fun for all ages, including the Inflatable Park, Balloonville, and a Kids Corner. There’s also the Eastern Shore Wing War, Pork War, and an evening Balloon Glow. Sunday, bring you dogs for a Pet Look-A-Like Contest, Pet Parade, or Animal Talent Show.

Maryland International Kite Expo

When: Friday, April 29 – Sunday, May 1

Where: Beach & Boardwalk 2nd Street to 6th Street, Ocean City

What: Next to the OC Air Show, there is no greater show to enjoy along the beach and the boardwalk in Ocean City than the Maryland International Kite Exposition. The event features three days of kite flying, demos, activities and more. Fun for all ages!