Spring arrives, and the gardens of the Brandywine Valley burst back into bloom. It's a time to celebrate throughout the Wilmington, Delaware area, as we shed our winter coats and reclaim the great outdoors as a place to play, with events that embrace the season.
Point-to-Point at Winterthur (May)
Steeplechase racing. Elegant tailgates. The first sunburn of spring. Point-to-Point is a rite of passage at the start of spring, as thousands gather on the grassy fields of Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library for what we consider Delaware's Derby. Some come to see the horses, but all come to see and be seen in a place where tailgating is a competitive sport and fancy hats are all but required.
WILMINGTON GRAND PRIX (May)
Cyclists fly through the streets of downtown Wilmington during the races at the annual Grand Prix, a prestige event ranked in the top five on USA Cycling's national race calendar. Professionals battle it out for top prizes on Saturday, but the three-day event features many opportunities for amateurs to race on their own, or ride side-by-side with the pros on a one-of-a-kind Gran Fondo that takes riders through the rolling hills of Wilmington's Chateau Country and a course linked by 13 world-class cultural attractions. A true bucket list ride for cycling enthusiasts.
WILMINGTON FLOWER MARKET (May)
The Wilmington Flower Market is a Mother's Day weekend tradition in Wilmington, a festival and a fair that celebrates growth and new beginnings, through the saplings that are for sale and for the children's causes it supports. From perennials to petunias, with some herbs thrown in for flavor, you'll find everything you need to start your garden for the year, along with music from nationally touring bands, crafts and food vendors and carnival rides for the kids.
The Discover Bank Delaware Marathon Running Festival
Experience a scenic race course that takes runners throughout historic downtown Wilmington. “The course has a lot of variety, and gives visitors a tour of many of the most interesting and beautiful parts of the city,” said one past participant from Pennsylvania.
The race travels across beautiful Brandywine Park on the Brandywine River, along prestigious parkways, through historic neighborhoods of Wilmington and past downtown’s Rodney Square. Choose from a full marathon, half-marathon or 4-person relay on Sunday or the new 5k or kids fun run on Saturday, all to benefit area charities. Non-runners can join us at start/finish line at Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park for a great party with live music, vendors and activities for the whole family.
