It’s hard to believe that spring is just around the corner. As we write this post, the temperatures outside are plummeting back into the teens and snow is slowly creeping across Delmarva. Then again, anyone who lives on the Eastern Shore knows that our winter and springtime weather is erratic at best. Warm one day, snowing the next. Such is the Delmarvalous life. We’ve decided to battle those end-of-winter blues with some positive thoughts of spring! Take a look at the top ten things we are looking forward to enjoying this spring:
1. Bike Rides on the Boardwalk in OCMD
Nothing says spring quite like that first day when you dust off your bike, pump some much needed air into the downtrodden tires, and go for a cruise down the boardwalk in OCMD. Sun in your face, the smell of the salt air mixing with the sweet aroma of Fisher’s Popcorn and Thrasher’s French Fries…it’s heaven. And speaking of the boardwalk, each spring we look forward to proudly marching along the boardwalk for the Worcester County Humane Society’s Annual Boardwalkin’ for Pets event, to be held April 25th this year.
2. Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade
The Ocean City St. Patrick’s Day Parade is easily our favorite OCMD parade of the year. While the weather doesn’t always cooperate, the event still serves as the kick-off for the spring season. Locals emerge from their wintertime hibernation fully ready to celebrate spring and have a little fun. It’s an all-ages event, culminating with area restaurants offering terrific deals and specials. Look for us in the sea of green!
3. Day Trips to the Salisbury Zoo
One thing we typically do every year on the first warm and sunny day of spring is make a trip to the Salisbury Zoo. Much like us locals, the animals at the Zoo spend the winter hibernating. As the days get longer and the sun starts to shine, the animals can be found sunbathing and enjoying the springtime weather. It’s the perfect chance to see the animals out and about, especially before the summer heat sends them back into the shade.
4. Hiking through Pocomoke River State Park
It’s not that we don’t enjoy hiking in the wintertime, but with as much snow and rain as we’ve had recently, hiking hasn’t been a viable option. Come spring, we look forward to re-discovering the hiking trails of the Pocomoke River State Park. Fresh air, scenic beauty, natural habitat and wildlife? What more could you want out of a beautiful Sunday afternoon.
5. Lewes Tulip Festival
It’s not a spring celebration without some beautiful spring flowers! Lewes goes above and beyond, with over 10,000 blooming tulips for the annual Lewes Tulip Festival. Each year, the Historic Town of Lewes celebrates its Dutch heritage with blooming tulips throughout the City Parks. The three-day event, set for April 9-11, also includes activities, exhibits, contests, trolley tours and more. It’s a terrific opportunity to explore Downtown Lewes, local businesses, and of course, to get outside and enjoy some natural beauty!
6. Chincoteague’s Saltwater Brew N’ Que
Chincoteague may not have clinched the winning spot in Budget Travel’s ‘America’s Coolest Small Town’ contest, but that doesn’t mean it still isn’t one of the coolest small town’s to visit! We are really looking forward to the inaugural Saltwater Brew N’ Que at the Chincoteague Fairgrounds on April 24 and 25. It’s part barbeque competition, part beer festival, and part car show. To boot, a portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department.
7. Pork in the Park
Whet your appetites, grab the whole family, and high-tail it to Winterplace Park in Salisbury April 24th and 25th for the annual Pork in the Park BBQ Festival. The two-day barbeque festival includes fun for all ages, with rides, games, live music, craft vendors, and delicious food. Admission is just $3 for adults, with kids 12 and under gaining free entry. And don’t forget to catch the Eastern Shore Wing War, Annual Cornhole Tournament, and Pig and ‘Hot Dog’ Racing events.
8. Springfest
It’s the 25th Anniversary of Ocean City’s Springfest, and this year it just so happens to coincide with Mother’s Day Weekend so there’s double the fun! The four-day event includes food, crafts and live music. We can’t think of a better place to celebrate spring and the upcoming summer than along the boardwalk in OCMD. This year’s musical lineup includes Beatlemania Again, Vince Gill, and Pat Benetar & Neil Giraldo. We’ve already got our tickets to Vince Gill, so you can be sure we’ll be posting about a million and one photos.
9. Spring Restaurant Week OCMD
Year-round, we love getting out and enjoying lunch or dinner at our favorite local establishments. Salisbury Restaurant week helped us transition out of the winter blues, but now it’s time to celebrate spring dining deals in Ocean City! The deals actually last two weeks, with this year’s dates set for April 19 through May 3. It’s the perfect opportunity to dine out at your favorite Ocean City restaurants before the busy summer season hits.
10. Spring Fun in Berlin
Berlin is primed to celebrate spring in a BIG way, starting with their Spring Celebration on Saturday, April 4. In fact, Berlin is pretty much celebrating throughout the entire month of April, with an event scheduled for every weekend of the month. There’s the Spring Celebration, followed by Clean Up Berlin Day on April 11, the Cool Berlin Party on April 18, Earth Day Celebration April 22, and the Berlin Heritage Festival April 25. That’s a whole lot of springtime fun in Berlin!
Well, there you have it, ten things to look forward to in the upcoming weeks and months. It may be dreary today, but there’s sunshine and springtime fun on the horizon!
