🎣Your Complete Guide to the 2025 Delaware Seafood Festival

Dive into the ocean’s bounty at the Delaware Seafood Festival, a lively one-day celebration of sea-to-table flavors, community spirit, and fun in Rehoboth Beach. Mark your calendar:

• 📅 Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025

• ⏰ Time: 10 AM–5 PM (Rain date: Sunday, September 21)

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🐟 What’s on the Menu?

• All Your Faves: Steamed crabs, crab cakes, shrimp, oysters, lobsters, seafood soups—and more.

• Beyond Seafood: Veggie burgers, fries, desserts, and additional crowd-pleasers for non-seafood lovers.

• Pre‑Order Crabs: Secure a half-dozen crab packs in advance.

• Food Vendors: Multiple vendors take cash and cards—bringing some cash is wise.

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🎟 Ticketing Info

• Price: $10 in advance, $15 at the door.

• Contest Entry: Separate tickets for eating contests—sign up early, spots are limited.

• VIP Options: Includes perks like reserved seating, faster lines, exclusive demos, plus event merch.

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📍 Venue & Logistics

• Location: Schellville, behind Tanger Outlets Seaside (36470 Seaside Outlet Drive, Rehoboth Beach, DE).

• Parking: Limited on-site parking. Overflow with free shuttle from nearby lots. Handicap spots are first-come, first-served.

• Seating: Plenty provided—but personal chairs aren’t allowed.

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☔ Weather & Rain Plan

• Event is rain or shine. Heavy weather triggers a move to the rain date, Sunday, September 21.

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👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Fun & Entertainment

• Kids’ Zone: Giant slide, mini‑golf, balloon animals, snow zone, face painting, and children’s vendors.

• Live Music & Demos: Shrimp-eating (11:30 AM), oyster-shucking (12:30 PM), 5‑lb crab pretzel challenge (2 PM), cooking demos, plus a Beer & Seafood pairing session.

• Raffles & Prizes: Win goodies including t-shirts, calendars, and even a “Boat of Booze.”

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🎨 Kids Art Calendar Contest

Encourage young artists in your life to participate in the Kids Art Calendar Contest:

• Ages 3–17 invited to submit seafood-themed artwork.

• Entry is free and open to all skill levels.

• 12 winners will be chosen, one per month, to be featured in the 2026 Delaware Seafood Festival calendar

• The selected winners receive 1 calendar featuring their artwork and recognition at the festival.

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✅ Festival Highlights

• Eating Contest Entries:

  • Shrimp – 11:30 AM

  • Oyster – 12:30 PM

  • Crab Pretzel – 2 PM

• Beer Pairing: Featuring Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head.

• Merch & Calendars: T-shirts, calendars (including those featuring contest winners), and more available.

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🚭 Rules & Policies

• No outside food or drinks.

• Smoking allowed only outside Schellville.

• Pets: Only ADA-defined service animals are permitted.

• Seafood Allergies: Attendance is not recommended for those with serious allergies.

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🛏 Where to Stay

• Nearby Accommodations: Plenty of excellent hotel and lodging options in Rehoboth Beach and Lewes.

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🙌 Get Involved

• Volunteer: Multiple roles available—pick your shift, fill out the sign-up form.

• Support a Cause: Proceeds benefit The Stevenson Foundation, American Legion Post 28, Millsboro Little League, Ronald McDonald House, and Gettin-it-Dunn.

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🎯 Final Checklist

1. Get advance tickets early—$10 until event day.

2. Sign up now for eating contests (limited spots!).

3. Pre-order crab packs to guarantee your share.

4. Arrive early to ease parking and seating.

5. Bring cash though cards are accepted widely.

6. Prepare for weather or rain-date fallback.

7. Leave outside food, drinks, pets, and chairs at home.

8. Support budding artists and grab a Kids Art Calendar.

9. Volunteer or simply enjoy, knowing your attendance helps great causes!