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| SIW Vegetables' popular Field to Fork dinners return this summer. Kelli Wilke Photography |
Far too many of the fun summer traditions and events we’ve all come to love were upended last year by the Covid pandemic. And while some limits are still in place, with a big chunk of Delawareans now vaccinated, next week many restrictions will be lifted.
So, the summer of 2021 will bring a return of many of the outdoor events and happenings that make the sweltering June-August stretch memorable.
Now’s the time to begin planning for – and in some cases, sign up for quickly - six live, in-person activities sure to bring a summer smile!
So, the summer of 2021 will bring a return of many of the outdoor events and happenings that make the sweltering June-August stretch memorable.
Now’s the time to begin planning for – and in some cases, sign up for quickly - six live, in-person activities sure to bring a summer smile!
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| SIW Farm to Table guests with a full view of the sunset. Kelli Wilke photography |
1. Field to Fork Dinners return to SIW Farm
The 2021 SIW Field to Fork dinner calendar is coming together and includes the return of several top local chefs who will share their culinary talents on four dates this summer. Ticketed guests will enjoy special meals - created with many vegetables culled from SIW’s own farm - inside SIW’s majestic barn just north of the DE-PA state line in Chadds Ford.
SIW Dinner Dates:
Wed., June 30 – Chef Tyler Akin of Hotel DuPont
Wed., July 14 – Chef Jeffrey A. Miller
Wed., Sept. 8 – Chef Gerald Allen
Wed., Sept. 15 – Chef Ari Miller
The 2021 SIW Field to Fork dinner calendar is coming together and includes the return of several top local chefs who will share their culinary talents on four dates this summer. Ticketed guests will enjoy special meals - created with many vegetables culled from SIW’s own farm - inside SIW’s majestic barn just north of the DE-PA state line in Chadds Ford.
SIW Dinner Dates:
Wed., June 30 – Chef Tyler Akin of Hotel DuPont
Wed., July 14 – Chef Jeffrey A. Miller
Wed., Sept. 8 – Chef Gerald Allen
Wed., Sept. 15 – Chef Ari Miller
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| Enjoy Hagley Alfresco three nights in May |
2. Hagley Alfresco – May 13, 20, 27
Experience the beauty of Hagley in the springtime with a new series of family-friendly outdoor events every Thursday in May. Events will take place from 5 to 7:30 pm and feature pop-up restaurants, live music and children’s activities. General admission $5 (ages 6 and over). Admission does not include food or drink.
Experience the beauty of Hagley in the springtime with a new series of family-friendly outdoor events every Thursday in May. Events will take place from 5 to 7:30 pm and feature pop-up restaurants, live music and children’s activities. General admission $5 (ages 6 and over). Admission does not include food or drink.
Menu options for adults sound delicious, whether opting for the $25 or the pricier $50/pp dinners.
May 13 – Caffe Gelato with The Acoustic Jam Band
May 20 – Goober’s Diner/Buckley’s Tavern with musician Nick Alfieri
May 27 – Le Cavalier at the Green Room with musician Nick Alfieri
Tickets can be purchased online until 3 pm the day of the event or at the event. Events are weather-dependent, so please check Hagley’s website for updates.
May 13 – Caffe Gelato with The Acoustic Jam Band
May 20 – Goober’s Diner/Buckley’s Tavern with musician Nick Alfieri
May 27 – Le Cavalier at the Green Room with musician Nick Alfieri
Tickets can be purchased online until 3 pm the day of the event or at the event. Events are weather-dependent, so please check Hagley’s website for updates.
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| Bellefonte Arts Festival returns May 15 |
3. Bellefonte Arts Festival – May 15
Bellefonte Arts is a collective of local artists who create a wide variety of handcrafted artwork, wares and art classes in the quaint village of Bellefonte.
Canceled last year, the 2021 outdoor arts festival will include four dozen local artists booths and community vendors, a food court, food trucks, a beer tent and live music all day. Masks and timed admission tickets ($2 ea) will be required.
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| Yorklyn Day includes craft beer, ping pong and live music at Dew Point + exhibitors and a Kids Zone |
4. Yorklyn Day Festival – June 6
Held each summer in the quaint town of Yorklyn (next to Hockessin) Yorklyn Day is a relaxed day of family entertainment featuring a Kids Zone with Jungle John, animal exhibits, pony rides and antique auto and train rides, food trucks and artisan and craft vendors. There’s also something extra for mom and dad – live music and craft beer offered all day long at Dew Point Brewery.
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| Cruises return this month aboard the Kalmar Nyckel |
5. Pirate Adventure and Sunset Cruises aboard the Kalmar Nyckel
Sailing season has begun! Day, sunset, and pirate sails have returned aboard the Kalmar Nyckel -- a quintessential way to reconnect with friends or family while cruising the Christina River or sailing from Historic New Castle aboard Delaware's Tall Ship.
Your hands-on experience includes hauling lines and setting sails on the full-scale replica of the Swedish flagship from the 1638 expedition that founded the first permanent European settlement in Delaware. Knowledgeable volunteer crew will share the ship's story and local maritime history. Join a pirate sail with crew decked out in pirate and colonial garb and "walk the plank" with pirate fans of all ages (costumes optional).
Starting this month, the ship is offering 1.5-hour sails on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, adding Thursdays on May 27. From June 5-13, opportunities open up for longer 2.5 sails from Historic New Castle. Visit KalmarNyckel.org/BookASail.asp or call 302.429.7447.
On Memorial Day, May 31, from 12 - 4 pm, Kalmar Nyckel will make a special appearance on the Wilmington Riverfront with a free scavenger hunt. On June 26, Wilmington Concert Opera will present "Pirates and Mermaids" from the decks of the ship. The 50-minute show features songs, opera, and sea chanteys, recommended for ages 10 and up.
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| Join the tennis action on two sport courts aimed at bringing new and returning players to the game |
6. Sip 'n Serve at Constitution Yards
Covid-era Americans are rediscovering the joys of new and classic outdoor sports, including tennis. Try getting on the Rodney Street courts in Wilmington on a Saturday afternoon and you’ll see how popular the game has become over the last year.
The Delaware District of the USTA is hosting an outreach event from 5 to 7:30 pm on June 10 at Constitution Yards. ‘Sip ‘n Serve’ is aimed at introducing the game to younger people newly interested in tennis or considering retuning to the game.
Covid-era Americans are rediscovering the joys of new and classic outdoor sports, including tennis. Try getting on the Rodney Street courts in Wilmington on a Saturday afternoon and you’ll see how popular the game has become over the last year.
The Delaware District of the USTA is hosting an outreach event from 5 to 7:30 pm on June 10 at Constitution Yards. ‘Sip ‘n Serve’ is aimed at introducing the game to younger people newly interested in tennis or considering retuning to the game.
Come meet other young adults interested in the sport. Easy point play guided by USTA professionals. Free ax throwing for registered participants, too. Register here.
There’s also still time to sign up for other special tennis events this summer and to take advantage of league play.
There’s also still time to sign up for other special tennis events this summer and to take advantage of league play.
A shout out for our local theaters and concert venues
Live summer concerts and local theater return this summer as well.
Be sure to check out Delaware Theatre Company’s ‘Take 2!’ outdoor performances and Candlelight Dinner Theatre’s three-show offering this season. And Delaware State Parks is bringing back their free summer concert series at Rockford Park and Brandywine Park. Check out their websites for performance dates, times and other details.
