Top Delaware Events in August from Mondegreen Festival to Mike Epps

Back-to-school photos haven’t started taking over your timeline yet, which means summer still hasn’t ended.

But those days are numbered.

As summer winds down, here are some of Delaware’s best festivals and events in August that you won’t want to miss in the coming weeks; and there’s a bonus event in Ocean City, Maryland that you won’t want to miss either.

Outdoor Arts and Crafts Festival, Rehoboth Beach

More than 100 artists and crafters from across the country will display and sell their work, which also features music and food and drink at the Rehoboth Art League’s 51st annual Outdoor Fine Art & Fine Craft Festival.

Rehoboth Beach Art League (12 Dodds Lane, Rehoboth Beach) from Saturday, August 3 and Sunday, August 4; and Saturday, August 10 and Sunday, August 11; Saturdays are 10am to 5pm and Sundays are 10am to 4pm Admission is $5 per weekend, with children under 12 free. Visit rehobothartleague.org.

Delaware Seafood Festival, Millsboro

Crustacean lovers will find themselves in paradise when they sink their teeth into everything from crab cakes, steamed crabs, shrimp, oysters and more at the Delaware Seaford Festival. The event features food trucks, beer tents, a shrimp-eating contest, a steamed seafood to go tent, raffles, giveaways, kids zone, cornhole tournament, live music and other festivities.

A portion of the proceeds benefit American Legion Post 28.

American Legion Post 28 (31767 Legion Road, Millsboro) from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on Saturday, August 10th. General admission tickets start at $5; free for ages under 12. Visit delawareseafoodfestival.com or call (302) 382-7489 or (302) 943-4675.

Dirty Popcorn Black Film Festival, Wilmington

The Dirty Popcorn Black Film Festival will be drenched in buttery fun as this year’s fest debuts “Delawood,” a world created entirely with AI. The event is free and registration is required.

Delawood merges Delaware with Hollywood and presents black creative films full of raw talent and boundless imagination. Audiences will discover this fresh AI exhibit alongside captivating short films from some of the best creators around the world. The Dirty Popcorn Black Film Festival is presented by Wilmington native Jet Phynx in association with the Delaware Art Museum.

Delaware Art Museum (2301 Kentmere Parkway, Wilmington) from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 10. Free event. Visit delart.org or call (302) 571-9590.

Mondegreen Festival, The Woodlands of Dover

What is the most anticipated Delaware festival of the year? It is without a doubt Phish’s Mondegree Festival. Drawing fans from across the country, iconic jam band Phish will debut its new four-day festival in The Woodlands of Dover Motor Speedway (the awesome site of the Firefly Music Festival).

If you’re interested in attending the festival for free, you may still have a chance if you can volunteer to help build a massive new art installation at Mondegreen.

Attendees can help build an 82-foot-tall structure inspired by Baltimore City Hall using only cardboard and tape in one of seven pre-event workshops at Dover Motor Speedway inside the NASCAR Cup Series garage. This experience is open to participants of all ages. Lunch will be served.

Workshops are held Wednesday August 7 to Sunday August 11 and Tuesday August 13 and Wednesday August 14.

The morning shift is 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch is served from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The afternoon session is 14:30 to 18:00

Pre-event workshops are only one phase of the project. Construction efforts (Thursday, August 15) and the deconstructions (Sunday, August 18) are also planned.

Volunteering during a workshop day earns participants a one-day Mondegreen General Admission pass ($150 value). Volunteering for two or more workshop days earns participants a four-day general admission pass for the weekend ($450 value), according to organizers.

People interested in volunteering for the cardboard art workshop can sign up here.

Mondegreen general admission starts at $150 per day; $450 covers access for all four days. If you are bringing a vehicle, you must also purchase a camping or parking vehicle pass (1 per car or RV). One-day parking passes start at $20.

Mondegreen is located at The Woodlands of Dover Motor Speedway (1131 N. Dupont Highway, Dover) from Thursday, August 15th through Sunday, August 18th. For more info, visit mondegreen.phish.com.

Delaware Carnival, Dover

The new Delaware Carnival is a Caribbean themed event that aims to liven up Dover. the carnival, presented by Caribbean Culture Awarenessoffers a parade of bands, food vendors, craft vendors, international and local artists.

Leg Mall (410 Legislative Ave., Dover) from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, August 17. For more information, visit usacca.org/events or call (888) 595-1259.

Hippiefest, Milford

Tree huggers will feel right at home at the fifth annual Hippie Fest, a BYOB event for ages 21 and older. Feel free to wear your favorite ’60s clothing and join other flower children as you groove to tunes performed by The Funsters and DJ Dana McDonald Food with Forever Media. Food, vendors and contests will be available. Guests are welcome to bring a chair or blanket to better enjoy this festival.

Causey Mansion Bed & Breakfast (2 Causey Ave., Milford) from 3pm to 8pm on Saturday, August 17th. Tickets are $35 before August 1; Then $45 from August 1 to August 16; or $50 at the gate. Visit milforddemuseum.org/events or call (302) 424-1080.

Middletown Old-Tyme Peach Festival

There’s a fuzzy fruit that’s king in Middletown. The 31st Annual Old-Tyme Peach Festival is underway downtown to give people a juicy time with a parade, car show, food court, pie eating contest, live music, vendors and more. Many activities can be found around Main Street.

Broad Street, Middletown, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Saturday, August 17. Visit middletownpeachfestival.com or (302) 378-7466.

Mike Epps at Bally’s Dover Casino Resort

Heavy hitter comedian Mike Epps has had anything but a quiet year. He recently released his Netflix comedy special, “Mike Epps: Ready to Sell Out,” in which he keeps it real as he jokes about poor personal hygiene, war on labor and failed infidelity.

Starring in the sitcom “The Upshaws” – Epp’s most notable acting role is undoubtedly the goofy character Day-Day from the “Friday” series.

At the top of this year, Epps was buzzing extra loud after getting into an online beef with Shannon Sharpe, host of the “Club Shay Shay” podcast. The internet drama was quickly resolved a couple of days later when Sharpe tweeted a photo of both men smiling and shaking hands.

Bally’s Dover Casino Resort (1131 N. Dupont Highway, Dover) from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, August 23. Tickets are $75. For more information, visit casinos.ballys.com/dover or call (800) 711-5882.

OC Air Show — Ocean City, Maryland

This festival is just over the southern Delaware border in Ocean City, Maryland, but it’s a spectacular event where all kinds of aerial performers wow the onlookers on the beach and boardwalk below.

Beachfront, Ocean City, Maryland and gates open at 09.00 Saturday 24 August and Sunday 25 August. Tickets start at $29.75. Visit ocairshow.com.

Arden Fair, Arden

How many events in Delaware can boast a longer history than the invention of Band-Aids? That’s where the 116th annual Arden Fair comes into play. This gem of an event is back with handmade items from over 100 vendors. There is an antique market, used books (in the Gild Hall), food, drinks, live music (at the Shady Grove), backstage gallery, children’s games and more fun.

Arden Guild Hall (2126 The Highway, Arden) at 10.00 on Saturday 31 August. Free entrance. Visit ardenclub.org/arden-fair or call (302) 475-3126.

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Peoples Festival: Tribute to Bob Marley, Wilmington

Considering the late great Bob Marley lived in Wilmington, it only makes sense that the city would host one of the premier events in the tristate area celebrating the reggae icon.

The 30th Annual Peoples Festival: Tribute to Bob Marley will deliver a summer extravaganza with a musical line-up, headlined by iconic dancehall queen and DJ Sister Nancy. Other acts include Junior Toots, Reemah, Indigenous hip-hop star Supaman, Josh David Barrett, DJ Prez and local rising stars Lena Aura and Gwapstarr, plus other artists.

In addition to tons of music, the beloved festival also offers a variety of vendors.

Garrett Riverfront Park (Rosa Parks Drive, Wilmington) from 2-10pm on Saturday, August 31st. Tickets are $25-$65. Visit peoplesfestival.com.

News Journal reporter Shannon Marvel McNaught contributed to this report.

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar on [email protected]. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.