AGP Executive Report

Coastal Planning: Lewes officials are weighing higher flood-planning benchmarks as updated projections raise concerns about sea-level rise and vulnerable electrical infrastructure. Getting Around: DART is hosting a workshop on the Rehoboth transit center, while a new lane beneath the Nassau Bridge is set to open Friday. Fall Events: Rehoboth’s international film festival runs Nov. 1–8, with more than 113 films and events around the coast; the Sea Witch parade brings Halloween crowds to town Oct. 31. Beach Heritage & Wildlife: Rehoboth’s Poodle Beach has received a state historical marker, and DNREC reports a successful nesting season for endangered beach birds.

Coastal Transit: DART will show plans for improvements at the Rehoboth Transit Center at a public workshop in Lewes today, Oct. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. Film Festival: The Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival runs Nov. 1–8, with more than 113 films, filmmaker events and screenings from around the world. Beach Access: One lane beneath the Nassau Bridge near Lewes opens Friday, Oct. 30, providing eastbound access toward Nassau Road; the westbound lane remains closed until January. Explore the Bayshore: A proposed Delaware Bayshore Byway plan maps 24 walking and biking itineraries along the 100-mile route, connecting visitors with local history and nature.

Coastal Cinema: The Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival runs Nov. 1–8, bringing more than 113 films from 32-plus countries, filmmaker events and screenings to the coast. Getting Around: DART will show plans for Rehoboth Transit Center improvements at a public workshop in Lewes on Oct. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. One lane beneath the Nassau Bridge near Lewes is set to open Oct. 30; the westbound lane remains closed until January. Outdoor Delaware: A proposed Delaware Bayshore Byway plan maps 24 walking and biking itineraries along a 100-mile route from New Castle County to Milton and Broadkill Beach. Wildlife Watch: DNREC reports 2026 nesting gains for beach birds, including a record 10 piping plover pairs at Cape Henlopen since monitoring began in 1989 and a rise in least tern pairs from 127 to 208.

Coastal Travel: A new lane beneath the Nassau Bridge is set to open Friday, giving drivers another way to cross Route 1 without using the highway. DelDOT expects both directions beneath the bridge to open by mid-January. Rehoboth History: Poodle Beach, a longtime gathering place for LGBTQ visitors, will receive a state historical marker Thursday near the South Boardwalk. Fall Events: Rehoboth Beach’s Sea Witch festivities bring Halloween crowds this weekend, followed by the International Film Festival, Nov. 1–8. Despite its name, the festival’s main screenings are in Lewes.

Coastal Culture: The Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival runs Nov. 1–8, with its main screenings in Lewes. Visitors can plan around venues including the Lewes Public Library and Dartmouth Drive. Fall Events: Rehoboth’s 36th annual Sea Witch parade brought another seasonal draw to the coast. Sussex Growth: Closely watched county council races are putting development, infrastructure and affordable housing in focus—decisions that will help shape the future of Delaware’s fast-growing beach region.

Fall Wildlife: Bird and monarch migration is underway along the Chesapeake, making nearby refuges a seasonal outing for nature watchers. Coastal Events: Rehoboth Beach’s 36th annual Sea Witch parade anchored a busy fall weekend, alongside 5Ks and other seasonal events. Autumn Stops: Delaware’s pumpkin season offers farm visits from Hockessin to the beaches, while the Lighthouse Challenge highlights the state’s coastal history. Beach Access: Bethany Beach is taking steps to address access concerns for visitors.

Rehoboth Beach: Thousands gathered for the Sea Witch Festival this weekend, bringing costumes and Halloween festivities to the coast; Sunday’s program included a costumed-dog parade. Golf Tourism: Delaware won its third straight Lady Blue Hen Invitational at Rehoboth Beach Country Club, finishing 11 strokes ahead of Harvard and Dartmouth. Newark Event: More than 2,300 runners joined the Deer Park Goes Pink 5K, which has raised over $200,000 for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. Kent County Growth: A 7-Eleven with 12 fueling positions is under construction at Asbury Square, alongside the SpringHill Suites and near DE Turf; it’s expected to open in spring 2027.

Sea Witch Weekend: Rehoboth Beach’s festival wraps up Sunday with a costumed-dog parade at 1 p.m.; registration starts at noon, and outdoor events are weather-dependent. Thousands lined the avenue for Saturday’s parade. Kent County Development: A 7-Eleven with 12 fuel pumps is under construction at Asbury Square, across Route 1 from DE Turf. The project is aiming to open in spring 2027, adding to a development that already includes a SpringHill Suites hotel. Beach Access: Bethany Beach has ordered portable stairs to restore access where the September nor’easter damaged dune crossings. Several access points are open, and the town may order more stairs if the first set works.

Sea Witch Weekend: Rehoboth Beach’s festival runs through Sunday, with its costume parade, live entertainment, vendors and family activities drawing visitors downtown. Beach Access: Bethany Beach has ordered portable stairs after the September nor’easter damaged dune crossings; access has reopened at several streets, with more steps possible if the first set works. Nature Tourism: A 181-acre preserve along the Nanticoke River and Wright Creek is now permanently protected, linking forests and wetlands across the Delaware-Maryland border. Sports Tourism: The University of Delaware women’s golf invitational brings 11 teams to Rehoboth Beach Country Club this weekend, with spectators welcome. Kent County Development: A 7-Eleven and fuel station is under construction at Asbury Square near DE Turf, adding to a growing development anchored by a Marriott hotel; the store is expected to open in spring 2027.

Beach Access: Bethany Beach has ordered portable stairs to restore access where September’s nor’easter damaged dune crossings. Several streets are already open, and the town may order more stairs if the first set works. Weekend Events: Rehoboth Beach’s Sea Witch Festival brings parades, live entertainment, shopping and family activities through Sunday, drawing visitors from across the Mid-Atlantic. Nature & Conservation: Partners have permanently protected 181 acres of forest and wetlands along the Nanticoke River and Wright Creek, including land in Sussex County. Coastal History: At Fenwick Island State Park, a recent campfire talk shared stories of Native American life and pirates along the coast.

Beach Access: Bethany Beach has ordered a portable staircase to restore access where September’s nor’easter damaged dune crossings. The town may buy more if the first set holds up; officials warn another major storm could send waves to the boardwalk. Getting Around: Work has resumed at Route 1 and Holland Glade Road north of Rehoboth Beach. The project is expected to finish by month’s end, allowing turns that should ease access to nearby businesses and neighborhoods. Coastal Conditions: Flooding and rough surf are expected to ease as Subtropical Storm Josephine moves offshore, though back-bay communities may still see minor flooding and beach erosion. Fall Visits: Rehoboth Beach is preparing for the Sea Witch Festival, while the Bethany Beach nature center is set to be managed by the Delaware Nature Society. Rehoboth’s Cinema Art Theater is also drawing filmgoers with adventurous screenings and discussions.

Holiday Travel: Rising jet-fuel costs are pushing airfares to decade highs, with Thanksgiving tickets up about 30% and Christmas fares more than 20% from last year. Sea Witch Weekend: Rehoboth Beach’s festival runs Oct. 23–25, bringing parades, costumes and entertainment as local businesses prepare for crowds. Coastal Update: The offshore storm’s flooding threat eased Thursday, though recent rough surf and gusty winds have affected Delaware’s beaches. Bethany Beach: The Delaware Nature Society is set to manage the town’s nature center starting next month, with expanded programming for children and adults.

Sea Witch Weekend: Rehoboth Beach’s annual festival runs Oct. 23–25, with parades, costumes, live entertainment, contests and family activities. Expect crowds as local shops and restaurants prepare for the influx of visitors. Coastal Conditions: A recent nor’easter brought rough surf, beach erosion and flooding to Sussex County. Conditions were expected to improve Thursday, but visitors should stay alert to lingering effects near low-lying coastal roads. Coming Up in Georgetown: Sussex County’s Return Day celebration is set for Nov. 4–5, with a parade, ox roast, music and other events marking the end of the election season.

Coastal Conditions: The offshore storm is moving away, easing the flooding threat for Delaware beaches after Wednesday’s high tide. Thursday should be drier, though breezy weather, rough surf and some minor coastal flooding may linger. Sea Witch Weekend: Rehoboth Beach and Dewey Beach welcome the Sea Witch Festival Oct. 23–25. Navy Week adds a community fair and Navy Band performance Friday, with sailors joining Saturday’s parade and beach games. Beach-Town Growth: Lewes is weighing a temporary pause on large housing developments in response to state law SB 23, a move that has drawn resident support and a threatened lawsuit from builders. Fall Outings: Delaware’s pumpkin-season picks and Halloween events offer more reasons to explore the state this weekend.

Coastal Weather: A nor’easter is bringing strong northeast winds and a coastal-flooding threat to Delaware beaches, with Wednesday evening’s high tide the main concern. Low-lying areas around Lewes, Rehoboth, Dewey and Bethany could see flooded roads; beach gusts may reach 40 mph. Sea Witch Weekend: Navy Week is underway in Sussex County alongside Rehoboth Beach’s Sea Witch Festival, running Friday through Sunday. Sailors will join Saturday’s parade, with a community fair and Navy Band performances also planned. Fall Outings: Delaware’s pumpkin season offers 10 fall favorites from Hockessin to the beaches, while Halloween events across the state add more weekend options. Holiday Dining: Restaurants from coastal Lewes and Rehoboth to Wilmington are planning Thanksgiving meals; reservations are encouraged as tables fill up.

Coastal Conditions: A strengthening nor’easter is bringing gusty winds, rough surf and a risk of minor flooding to vulnerable Delaware beach communities through Wednesday. A second sailboat has also run aground near Herring Point in Cape Henlopen State Park; its owner is working with the Coast Guard and DNREC to refloat it. Fall Food Stops: A new guide highlights 10 places to enjoy pumpkin-season dishes, from Hockessin’s Back Burner pumpkin mushroom soup to seasonal treats near the beaches; check menus before making the trip. Seasonal Outings: A statewide guide rounds up unusual ways to celebrate Halloween after dark, while a ferry partnership is steering fall visitors toward coastal businesses. Getting Around: The Woodland Ferry’s future remains uncertain as Delaware considers fares and changes to its operations.