Labor Day weekend at the Delaware beaches: Tips for planning the best end-of-summer visit
Anyone know what happened to August? Asking for a friend.
Labor Day weekend is already here at the Delaware beaches, and as beach businesses celebrate the end of their busiest season, everyone knows that the fun doesn't end when September rolls around.
If you're headed to Rehoboth, Dewey or any of the other beloved beaches this weekend, you may want a refresher on what to know before you go, or a reminder on what festivities are kicking off for the holiday weekend.
Don't worry: We've got you covered.
Delaware Online/The News Journal has been following the latest news at the Delaware beaches all summer, and we've rounded up a few things to know, including things to do, the latest weather report and updated travel trends.
For anyone looking to visit the Delaware beaches during Labor Day weekend, check out this guide for the latest information.
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Don't forget to pack your patience − especially at beach businesses
It's the time of year when restaurant owners and managers are helping out in the kitchen or pitching in at the front of the house as they face especially low staffing due to seasonal employees heading back to school.
"Be very patient," reminded Jeff Hamer, owner of Fins Hospitality Group, with restaurants throughout the Delaware beaches. It's the end of the summer, he said, and many people are tired, working multiple jobs or fitting in some hours after school or sports practices.
"Right now, people are doing two jobs in front of the house, and they're doing the same business they were doing a week ago with half the staff," Hamer said.
Because of this short staffing − something that many beach businesses experience routinely at this time of year − people may notice longer wait times or adjusted hours. And it's not just restaurants, as retail stores are seeing this, too.
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Staffing is an ongoing issue at the beaches, exacerbated by a worsening workforce housing shortage and growing numbers of visitors and residents at the Delaware beaches.
After a record-breaking summer in 2021, some business owners said they are seeing travel trends reach typical summer levels, but data from the Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce show that visitation continues to grow at the beaches, too.
Based on the chamber's hotel and motel occupancy data, this has been the busiest August in at least the past five years. While that is only one snapshot of visitation, some restaurant owners echoed this sentiment that the end of summer has continued to be very busy.
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With this high visitation tending to extend further into the fall, it's likely that September and even October may continue to see activity at the beaches.
How about that Labor Day weekend weather?
While there might be a chance of rain on Labor Day Monday, most of the weekend is looking to be sunny and perfect for laying out on the beach.
As always though, don't forget to check the weather before making your way onto the sand. The National Weather Service even has a tool that shows people what the UV index and water temperatures are expected to be at several beach locations: www.weather.gov/beach/phi.
Here's a breakdown so far of what the National Weather Service is predicting for the Rehoboth Beach area.
August weather means the water temperature is warmer, reaching the mid-70s, according to the weather service. (As many people have noted on social media lately, that also means beachgoers should be extra cautious of jellyfish, which tend to like the warmer waters.)
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On Friday, the Rehoboth Beach area should expect sunny weather with a high near 80 degrees. A few clouds may move in as the day turns to night, but the skies should remain mostly clear. The low temperature is expected to hit 71.
Starting the weekend on a high note, beachgoers can expect an almost identical sunny forecast on Saturday, too.
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Sunday warms up a tad more with a high temperature around 83 degrees, but the great news is the sun should continue to stick around. Sunday evening is expected to be partly cloudy with a low near 72.
Spending Labor Day at the beach, too? Monday should be mostly sunny with a high near 81. Yes, there is a chance of rain throughout the day and night, but the weather service is only reporting a 30% chance as of Wednesday. The evening will be mostly cloudy.
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Attending the Jazz Funeral? What to expect in Bethany Beach
A Bethany Beach tradition for more than three decades, the Jazz Funeral is coming back on Monday, Sept. 5, and will kick off at 5:30 p.m.
The New Orleans-inspired event invites spectators to join in a funeral procession of "mourners," on the Bethany Beach Boardwalk. Accompanied by the three Dixieland Jazz Bands, participants will carry a casket with a mannequin representing "Summer of 2022" to its final resting place at the Boardwalk Bandstand.
One of the organizers described the funeral as "a little sad and a lot of silly." Those involved are known to dress in all black and wear dark sunglasses or even costumes. Mourners will often pretend to weep into handkerchiefs or carry “rest in peace” signs. While the music is typically somber during the procession, the bands pick up the tempo and truly celebrate the end of summer by the time they reach the bandstand.
Looking for some more ways to celebrate the end of summer in Bethany Beach? The festivities start even earlier on Friday with a silent auction at Bethany Blues, 6 N. Pennsylvania Ave., at 3:15 p.m. All proceeds from the auction will go toward the American Red Cross of Delmarva.
For more, visit www.jazz-funeral.com.
Grab your kazoo and wish summer goodbye in Rehoboth
The end-of-summer celebrations are continuing in the Nation's Summer Capital, too.
On Labor Day, the Rehoboth Beach Museum will host a Piping Out parade, recreating the parades of the 1970s and '80s.
Everyone is welcome to bring their musical instruments and gather on the Rehoboth boardwalk in front of the Henlopen Hotel at 5:30 p.m. Don't have a trumpet or guitar to join the festivities? No worries, the museum will be providing kazoos for participants.
The boardwalk parade honors a longtime tradition set by late bandleader and trombonist Sammy Ferro whose orchestra played for dances at the old Henlopen Hotel. At the last dance of the summer on Labor Day, Ferro would take his band out to the boardwalk, followed by the audience, and march in a musical procession toward Rehoboth Avenue.
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Staying safe at the beach during COVID-19 spike
While the Delaware Division of Public Health reported that COVID-19 cases were declining compared to the report in July, the public health officials reminded people that the virus is still making its rounds through the community.
Community spread of COVID-19 was still high in Sussex and Kent counties, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data tracker, which was last updated Aug. 25.
The average of tests coming back positive was 14.6%, according to DPH data updated on Aug. 30. However, this data does not include at-home testing that is not reported to the state. The state reported that 163 people were hospitalized with COVID at that point.
Public health officials remind Delawareans that vaccines are now available for all persons starting at 6 months old, and vaccination is highly effective at preventing serious illness, hospitalizations and death.
The Federal Drug Administration also recently announced that updated boosters may be available in the coming days.
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Beyond staying up to date on vaccines, outside activities and get-togethers are still safer than cramming into indoor spaces unmasked, according to DPH.
However, if you do have plans to be indoors or around a lot of people, DPH is suggesting people wear masks, distance as much as possible and keep up a good hand-washing regimen. And if anyone starts to feel sick or knows they were exposed to someone with COVID-19, they should get tested and stay away from others in the meantime.
Here is a roundup of advice to stay vigilant and avoid COVID this summer:
Get vaccinated and boosted when you’re eligible. And don't wait until the fall when the updated vaccines are expected to be available. You will likely still be eligible for those boosters then.
Stay home if sick and get tested if you have symptoms or were exposed to someone with COVID-19.
Wear a mask indoors in public and if you are at higher risk for illness.
Stay informed and turn to reliable sources for data, information, and treatment options.
Visit de.gov/coronavirus to schedule free vaccines and/or boosters.
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Emily Lytle covers Sussex County from the inland towns to the beaches. Got a story she should tell? Contact her at elytle@delmarvanow.com or 302-332-0370. Follow her on Twitter at @emily3lytle.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware beaches: Labor Day weekend guide for things to do, other tips
