Summer technically starts on June 21, but with a weekend weather forecast that does not include 60-degree temperatures and steady rainfall, we’re REALLY excited about the fact that summer is on the horizon. Not to mention the fact that this weekend is Memorial Day Weekend – the true kickoff for summer at the beach. With that in mind, we thought we would present our list of the ‘Top 10 Things We are Looking Forward to this Summer on Delmarva.” In actuality, there are about a million things we are looking forward to reveling in over the next few months, but for now, we’ll focus on the ten events that really stand out on our radar. Here we go…
OC Air Show
When: June 18 & 19
Where: Ocean City, MD
What: Ok, this needs little introduction or fanfare as the OC Air Show is well known in our area at this point, but we love it so much that we can’t resist acknowledging the highly anticipated Ocean City event. Each year the Ocean City beaches and boardwalk are jam packed with locals and visitors that are eager to see the military jets flying overhead. This year marks the 9th year for the OC Air Show and will include the return of the Thunderbirds as the headlining flight demonstration (look for the Blue Angels to return next year for the 10th Anniversary show).
Taste of Cambridge Crab Cook-Off
When: Saturday, July 9
Where: Downtown Cambridge
What: It’s the 12th year for the Taste of Cambridge Crab Cook-Off and we can’t wait to sink our teeth into some delicious Eastern Shore cuisine! Thousands of visitors will attend the annual event on Poplar and Race Streets in downtown Cambridge for live music, great beer, and crab creations from local restaurants. Expect crab cakes, crab soup, crab dip…basically any recipe featuring crab! Ticket holders vote for their favorite choice in each category including Best Crab Dip, Best Crab Cake, and Best Crab Specialty. The event showcases Downtown Cambridge and includes two stages for live music.
Fourth of July Celebrations
When: 4th Of July Weekend
Where: Anywhere and Everywhere
What: While it’s not exactly an event, the Fourth of July weekend-long celebrations are certainly on our radar! Fourth of July falls on a Monday this year, which means a long holiday weekend of BBQs, fireworks, beach days, pool time, family fun, and more! Of course as the holiday weekend gets closer, we’ll keep you informed of the start times for all of the fireworks shows across Delmarva. New this year though will be fireworks in Berlin!
91st Annual Chincoteague Pony Swim
When: July 27
Where: Chincoteague, VA
What: The Chincoteague Pony Swim is an internationally renowned event, and for good reason! Wild ponies have inhabited Assateague Island for hundreds of years. The ponies wander the beaches, the marsh and the islands, eating dune and marsh grasses and drinking fresh water from the ponds. Each year, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company purchases a grazing permit from the National Fish & Wildlife Company, allowing them to bring a herd of 150 ponies from Assateague Island to Chincoteague Island. The swim, now in its 91st year, brings thousands of spectators to the tiny island each year to watch the pony penning.
68th Annual Hard Crab Derby
When: Labor Day Weekend
Where: Somers Cover Marina, Crisfield, MD
What: It’s the perfect way to bid farewell to summer and enjoy your Labor Day Weekend! The National Hard Crab Derby is a truly unique festival, oozing with Eastern Shore heritage and charm. If you’ve never been before, expect crab races, crab cooking and picking contests, carnival rides, arts and crafts, vendors, live entertainment, beauty pageants, parades and fireworks.
White Marlin Open
When: August 8 – August 12
Where: Ocean City, MD
What: The White Marlin Open is not only the world’s largest billfish tournament, it’s also one of our favorite local summer events! All week-long, locals and visitors flock to Harbor Island in Ocean City to watch the weigh-ins and enjoy the festive crowds. Of course our favorite part is grabbing a few of those super fresh tuna sandwiches on the docks!
Freeman Stage Performances
When: All summer long
Where: Freeman Stage at Bayside, Fenwick Island, DE
What: There’s nothing better than sitting outside in the summer and enjoy live music. The Freeman Stage has an amazing lineup of performers this year, including Pat Benatar & Melissa Etheridge, Huey Lewis & The News, The Wailers, and The Band Perry, to name a few. The events range from national acts to free local performances, so check out their full schedule and make sure to take a trip to the Freeman Stage this summer!
The Starboard, Running of the Bull
When: July 9
Where: The Starboard, Dewey Beach, DE
What: Whenever we plan on going out in Dewey Beach, we always make time for a stop at The Starboard. Every year, on the Saturday that falls between July 7th and July 13th (when the Festival of San Fermin is held in Pamplona Spain), The Starboard crew throws one of the biggest parties of the summer. This year is the 19th year of the Running of the Bull, which includes much fanfare and celebration as the Bull (don’t worry it’s just two people in a bull costume) makes his run to the beach.
Berlin Bathtub Races
When: July 19th
Where: Downtown Berlin
What: This is just another one of those beloved events that make Berlin the cool town that it is. Each July, local businesses vie for the coveted rubber ducky trophy, racing tubs-on-wheels along Main Street in Berlin. Tubs are decorated and constructed in a number of creative ways, and consist of a team of two: the runner and the driver. Large crowds of residents and visitors turn out for the event, which is typically followed by merriment throughout the town. You can guarantee we’ll be there!
Shakespeare in the Park
When: September 2-18
Where: Across Delmarva
What: Each year, we look forward to the return of Brown Box Theatre and their annual (and FREE) Shakespeare in the Park performances. This year the talented Boston-based group will perform The Taming of the Shrew in Rehoboth, Snow Hill, Berlin, Ocean City (Sunset Park and Northside Park), Princess Anne, Pocomoke City, St. Michaels, Lewes and Salisbury. Just bring a blanket or a chair and sit back and enjoy the show.
