What to know before heading to the Delaware beaches this weekend
Ready to settle into a hot, sunny weekend on the Delaware beaches?
We can't carry your beach chair for you, but we can give you all the information you need so there are no surprises.
Each week, Delaware Online/The News Journal provides this weekend guide to the Delaware beaches. When it comes to Lewes, Rehoboth Beach, Dewey Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island, we're the go-to source for information on beach closures, weather, events and more.
Here's what you need to know this fourth weekend of July.
More: Ready to beach? Here are 5 new spots for nightlife & bites at Delaware beaches this summer
Weather and other variables
After a month's worth of weekend storm threats that never materialized, the rain finally managed to take away a beach day last Sunday.
That will not be the case this weekend, the National Weather Service predicts. Both Saturday and Sunday are expected to be ideal days for sand and surf - hot and sunny, without a chance of rain.
Remember, state parks will close when they reach capacity. On days like those expected this weekend, places like Cape Henlopen State Park will fill up and people will be turned away. If you have your heart set on a particular beach, get there early.
In the mood for some ocean swimming, or maybe you prefer low-tide beachcombing? Check the water temperatures and tides at tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov.
More: How legislation will prevent restaurants from ever being built in Cape Henlopen State Park
How to get there
Has that sign on Rehoboth Avenue that says "You're at the beach ... relax and slow down," ever caused you to unclench your hands from the steering wheel, stop scanning for a parking space and actually relax? Me neither.
However, there are numerous ways to get to the beach that relieve you of the least relaxing part of the trip. Here are a few to try.
More: Which Delaware beach best suits your personality? Take our quiz
DART: The DART Beach Bus offers service up and down Coastal Highway, from Lewes all the way to Ocean City, Maryland. The buses are frequent, quick, efficient and cheap ($4 a day with kids riding for free). An extra perk: The air conditioning is already at full blast when you get on board.
Jolly Trolley: The Jolly Trolley runs between Dewey and Rehoboth and is $4 per ride. It makes stops twice an hour from 3 to 11 p.m. daily in the summer. It's great for bar-hopping.
Lewes Line: The Lewes Line, in its second season, runs 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. all summer. Only $1 per ride, it makes stops at 12 locations throughout town, as far west as the Village of Five Points.
Bethany Beach Trolley: The Bethany Beach Trolley is free to ride and runs 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily in the summertime. It travels all over downtown Bethany Beach and as far west as Turtle Walk, off Route 26. It makes 17 stops.
If you must drive yourself, check out our parking guide first.
What to do
If you're not exhausted by the beach during the day, there's plenty to do around here at night.
In Rehoboth Beach, Clear Space Theatre Company's summer repertoire is underway. This weekend, get tickets for the award-winning "Kinky Boots," Christopher Decker's "Just the Tip: A Gay Cabaret" or the Saturday morning children's theatre production of "The Wizard of Oz."
More: Rehoboth, Dewey & beyond: Local's look at all you need to know about Delaware's beaches
The Milton Theatre's production of "Rent" continues this weekend, with shows at 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday.
Magician Dave Cox will perform at Dickens Parlour Theatre in Ocean View on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 7 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, there's also "The Comedy Tonight Show" at 9 p.m.
Freeman Arts Pavilion near Selbyville has quite a lineup this weekend. On Friday night, there's "The Beat Goes On," a Cher tribute show. On Saturday night, *NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick, O-Town, BBMak and Ryan Cabrera make up the Pop 2000 Tour, and on Sunday night, there's swing kings Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.
There are also free concerts put on by the beach towns in the summer. Check your town's website for days and times.
If you're up for a bit of a drive to western Kent County, the Delaware State Fair is also open this weekend in Harrington.
More: Heavenly dinner rolls, free oysters. Delaware beach restaurants gone but not forgotten.
Things to know
Beach replenishment: The replenishment of Delaware's ocean beaches began in April and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers project is now in its final days. Work in Rehoboth, Dewey and Fenwick Island beaches is complete, while work in Bethany and South Bethany is expected to finish up this week. There may still be periodic beach closures until that time.
Surf-fishing: Delaware made big changes to its surf-fishing system this year. If you hope to drive on to the Delaware beaches to surf-fish on a weekend or holiday this year, you need not only a permit (available at most state park offices), but a reservation.
The online system (located at www.destateparks.com/SurfTagSales) opens at 11 a.m. Tuesday for Saturday reservations and 11 a.m. Wednesday for Sunday reservations. It's peak summer, so many of the drive-on beaches will sell out quickly, especially at Cape Henlopen State Park. Make your reservation as soon as possible to avoid missing out on your first-choice beach.
Curfews: Dewey and Bethany beaches had major issues with large groups of teens earlier this month, so they're enforcing curfews. In Bethany Beach, the curfew is 11 p.m. for anyone under the age of 18. It's the same in Dewey, except on Fridays and Saturdays, when the curfew begins at midnight.
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on Sussex County and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Twitter @MarvelMcNaught
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Your weekend guide to the Delaware beaches: weather, events and more
