We're right in the thick of 3 weeks of festivals here in Wilmington DE. Last week, we ventured out to the Greek Festival and ran into US Senator Chris Coons who was enjoying some traditional Greek fare. He was kind enough to chat with us briefly about why he loves the Greek Festival and all of Delaware's ethnic celebrations. You can see our video from our outing featuring the Senator, President of the Festival Georgia Halakos and some festival goers below! 
   Happening now is the St. Anthony's Italian Festival, which has the distinction of being one of the largest ethnic festivals on the east coast. It is certainly a rite of passage for anyone who can say they've truly experienced Wilmington DE culture (I'm of the mind that you must also try the vodka water ice, if you are of age of course). This year's theme centers around the spirit of the Renaissance and the region of Tuscany. Also, for the first time, the festival will feature a home winemakers competition. Find out more about the competition here. The jury is still out on how you get to be a judge in this competition!
   Following the Italian Festival and rounding out this epic 3 week run is the DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, which is the largest FREE jazz festival on the east coast!  You can check out the 2011 schedule here. By the looks of it, this year is going to be pretty incredible. We will be giving you a behind-the-scenes look at preparations for the festival early next week so stay tuned to our Youtube Channel: the Greater Wilmingtube!

 

Loyal Readers!

We want to see you enjoying festivals in Wilmington. Send us your pictures from any of this year's festivals and we may use them in a recap blog and on our facebook page! Send pics to jjulia@VisitWilmingtonDE.com!

Anyone who has ventured to Downtown Newark recently will immediately notice that BIG changes have taken place. With the addition of new places of residence, shopping, dining and University of Delaware's development,  Downtown Newark is, now more than ever, a viable and worthwhile tourist destination for that traveler looking to find a place to enjoy the aesthetics of yesteryear with the comforts of modernity. You needn't walk along Newark's Main Street long to realize that it is a truly special place and it will come as no surprise to learn that Newark Delaware's Main Street has recently been named a "Great American Main Street." This award marks the beginning of a new era in Downtown Newark and parallels the exciting changes taking place in Downtown Wilmington and the Riverfront. In VisitWilmingtonDE.com's latest video Executive Director Sarah Willoughby caught up with Newark Mayor Vance Funk and Maureen Feeny-Roser of the Downtown Newark Partnership, both of whom played a large role in this renaissance,  to talk about what  gives Newark its distinct charm and why people love to visit!

 

 

 

We sure hope that your appetites are primed and your dancing shoes are polished because ladies and gentlemen...festival season is upon us! Yes it is that glorious time of year when boredom is never an issue and it all starts with an epic three week run on festivals. First, it's the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church's Annual Greek Festival,  from June 7 -11.  Next, it's the legendary Saint Anthony's Italian Festival  - the largest ethnic festival on east coast from June 12 - 19. You can purchase your 8-day pass to the festival for just $12 right now by going here! Last, but certainly not least it is the FREE DuPont Clifford Brown Jazz Festival from June 20 - 26! Catch some of jazz's hottest acts in Rodney Square -

the heart of downtown Wilmington. Check out the video to the left of Junior Mance who will be headlining the opening night of the festival. This will be as good a time as any to take a stroll over to World Café Live at the renovated Queen Theatre if you haven't done so already and, while you're at it, enjoy great food and drink at Public House Wilmington, Chelsea Tavern, Deep Blue Bar and Grill and more all within a short walk from the festival! Hopefully you aren't too tuckered out after this three week run of festivals because the fun continues! We are also looking forward to the Big Bang Barbeque to celebrate Independence Day Weekend on the Brandywine Valley Wine Trail July 2 - 4, the annual Shakespeare Festival in Rockwood Mansion Park July 15 - 30, the Riverfront Blues Festival  August 5-7 and of course the August Quarterly Festival which has the high honor of being the oldest continually celebrated African-American festival in the country.

 

To stay up to date on everything that is happening in Greater Wilmington (and there's a lot) "like" us on facebook, follow us on twitter and sign up for our e-news!

We'll be shooting video of these upcoming festivals to share with all of you so if you see us out and about please say hi! We'll put you on camera!