Bonfires, Halloween Events, And Murder Mystery Dinners

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. You’re probably capable of more than you feel like doing this morning. No need to demonstrate all of it.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

Above the Canal Experiences has two new events on the calendar, each built around the same idea: give people something enjoyable to do together and create more chances to meet someone new.

🍽️ Oct. 28: North Wilmington Dinner Club matches small groups for dinner at local restaurants. We handle the groupings and restaurant assignments, and you meet your table when you arrive. Registration is $20, with food and drinks purchased separately.

🥢 Nov. 13: Roll With It at Scout Cafe is a hands-on summer roll workshop and Southeast Asian dinner at Scout Cafe. You'll make your own summer roll, enjoy a Cambodian noodle dish, blue mango sticky rice, and a Scout nonalcoholic beverage. Tickets are $75 and include the workshop, dinner, dessert, and drink.

Come solo or bring someone with you.

Downtown Wilmington is full of familiar buildings with stories that go back much further than their current uses. One popular entertainment venue occupies land that served a very different purpose during the Revolutionary War. It's a connection that even longtime residents might not know about.

Source: DNREC

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control is stocking about 1,000 pounds of rainbow trout in White Clay Creek. The fish are placed along a stretch running from near the Pennsylvania state line downstream to Newark, opening up fall and winter fishing options in northern New Castle County.

Anglers need a Delaware fishing license and a trout stamp to fish the creek through November 30. The daily possession limit is six trout, though that drops to four fish for anyone casting within 50 feet of the designated fly-fishing-only section.

Fishing is permitted from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. The state purchases the trout from hatcheries using revenue from trout stamps and federal funds.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

Delaware voters can cast their ballots ahead of the midterm elections starting October 22. Polling sites are opening across the state for residents who want to skip the lines on Election Day.

Nineteen early voting locations are available, featuring six in New Castle County, four in Kent County, and nine in Sussex County. Registered voters can visit any designated site within their home county. Just remember to bring a state-issued photo ID, a utility bill, or a government document showing your name and address.

Polling places operate from 7 AM - 7 PM through October 27, though they are closed on Sunday. Hours shift to 11 AM - 7 PM for the final stretch before wrapping up on November 1.

Source: WDEL

Delaware logged 86 flu cases by late September, doubling the 42 cases reported at the same point last year. At the same time, statewide vaccine distribution dropped to 31,000 doses, down from 79,000 during the previous cycle.

Adults 65 and older accounted for the highest number of early infections, a shift from last season when children ages 5 to 17 saw the most cases. While overall respiratory illness activity remained low, flu-related emergency room visits started to climb.

Health officials and local pharmacists recommended getting vaccinated in October to build immunity before the typical winter spike hits in December and January.

Source: WDEL

A bartender at the Kirkwood Highway Hooters took home the top prize at the company's pageant in Clearwater, Florida. Kenzie Davis, a four-year employee at the Meadowood-area location, was crowned Miss Hooters International in early October.

Along with the main title, her fellow contestants voted to give her the Miss Congeniality award. Davis received a $10,000 cash prize and secured a cameo appearance in an upcoming movie about the restaurant chain.

Before heading to the national stage, Davis participated in several local pageants at the Kirkwood Highway restaurant to raise money for charities like Toys for Tots. She is waiting for production details regarding her movie role.

Did you know a world-class night of music is right in our backyard?

This year, the Newark Symphony Orchestra marks 60 years of live music in New Castle County! Experience the magic with us across three moving performances:

All three performances will be held at The Independence School.

Join friends and neighbors for an inspiring season of music, connection, and community celebration. Single tickets and discounted season subscriptions are available now!

Reserve your favorite seats early at newarksymphony.org or call (302) 369-3466. We can’t wait to celebrate six decades of music with you!

Source: Delaware Business Now

Delaware transportation and agriculture officials announced temporary relief for agricultural and forestry haulers dealing with high diesel prices. State enforcement agents agreed to honor a temporary waiver from Maryland, allowing qualifying haulers to use dyed diesel fuel on public roads.

Dyed diesel is exempt from highway excise taxes and is typically restricted from use on public roadways. The state waived fuel inspection penalties and associated fees to help offset diesel costs that climbed past $6 a gallon in Delaware.

The state waiver follows a larger federal assistance package for farmers. Delaware officials plan to keep the local relief in place for as long as Maryland maintains its own waiver.

Source: Newark Post

The City of Newark released a draft of its new comprehensive development plan to guide local growth over the next decade. Planners presented the 191-page proposal to the city council following months of public feedback.

The document outlines strategies for housing, land use, and infrastructure. It identifies six focus areas for potential redevelopment or preservation, including the Newark Country Club and the New London Road community. The proposal also prioritizes expanding housing options beyond student apartments to accommodate families and retirees.

The city council scheduled detailed public discussions on the proposal for October 26 and November 9. A final council vote is expected on December 14.

Source: WDEL

The Christina and Appoquinimink school boards are raising tuition tax rates to cover special education costs. Under state law, these specific increases do not require a public referendum.

Christina is increasing its rate to generate an additional $17 million, which adds about $22 a month to an average residential property bill. Appoquinimink is building a $4.5 million fund carryover, resulting in an estimated $109 annual increase for an average homeowner.

New Castle County school districts must set their final tax rates by Thursday. Property tax bills are mailed in early November and are due by the end of December.

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Haunted Trails at Rockwood | Rockwood Park & Museum. A free, family-friendly spooky lighting display along the museum's 1800s trails, featuring an alien surprise. Attendees are advised to wear appropriate shoes for uneven terrain. Saturday and Sunday 7-11 PM.

Bonfire Night Events on the Farm | Ramsey's Farm. A farm evening with a bonfire in the picnic grove, the combine-slide playground, flashlight corn maze, and an extended hayride through the Brandywine Valley. Tickets are $15 for ages 4 and up; s’mores kits are available for sale. Friday and Saturday, 6-9 PM.

Sip & Stroll: Halloween-Themed | Brandywine Zoo. A family-friendly evening walk through the zoo featuring live music, a local food vendor, and craft beverages for sale, plus costume contests for kids and adults at 6:30 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for youth, with discounts for members. Thursday 5-7:30 PM.

The Ultimate Tailgate | Delaware Park. A sports-themed fundraiser for Meals on Wheels Delaware featuring tailgate-inspired bites from local restaurants, regional brews, specialty cocktails, a memorabilia auction, and music by DJ Smooth. Thursday 6-9 PM.

Fireside Sips at Milburn's (Ages 21+) | Milburn Orchards. An after-hours orchard bonfire featuring wagon rides, a corn maze, and a cider bar pouring local beer and wine. Online tickets are required, and attendees may bring lawn chairs. 21+. Thursday at 6 PM.

Fourth Fridays: Murder Mystery Dinner | Drip Cafe Hockessin. A murder mystery event featuring a performance by Fearless Improv and a three-course dinner. Tickets are $65, with beverages available for purchase. Friday at 5:30 PM.

Rocky Horror Picture Show (Movie Screening & Live Show) | Kennett Flash. A screening of the cult classic film accompanied by a live performance from the Delaware Burlesque Troupe, with approved prop bags available for purchase. Tickets are $20, plus a $5 BYOB option. Recommended for ages 18 and up. Friday at 8 PM.

All-Nite Horrorthon | Theatre N. A 600-minute marathon screening of five secret horror films, featuring local vendors, refreshments, and a midnight costume contest. Presale tickets are $20. Friday at 8 PM.

Fall Fun by the Fire - Pits & Pumpkins | Mt. Cuba Center. An autumn evening featuring a pumpkin painting contest, seasonal crafts, and a hands-on composting demonstration. Attendees can take haywagon rides and guided tours through the natural lands, or sit by the fire pits with food and drinks available for purchase. Saturday 5-8 PM.

Masks, Lies, & Alibis, Masquerade Murder Mystery Event | Christiana Hilton. An interactive murder mystery dinner featuring a three-course meal, an open bar, and a costume contest for guests in masquerade or cocktail attire. Tickets are $140. 21+. Saturday 6-9:30 PM.

Museum of the Macabre | Delaware Museum of Nature & Science. An evening science event featuring hands-on stations exploring topics like decomposition, toxic minerals, and the process of making animal study skins. Tickets are $15 for members, $30 for non-members. 21+. Saturday 6-9 PM.

Park-It Market | Brandywine Zoo. A community exchange in the parking lot under the I-95 bridge where attendees can set up a trunk or table to give away usable goods, or simply shop for items. Free. Sunday 12-2 PM.

Halloween Parade & Trick or Treat | Main Street Newark. An annual Halloween parade featuring marching bands, floats, antique automobiles, and costumed characters. The route runs west on Main Street from Tyre Avenue to College Avenue, and attendees in costume can join the procession without pre-registering. Sunday at 3 PM.

More happenings we couldn’t fit in the newsletter.

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Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.

Thursday

68 🌡️ 45 | ☀️ Sunny | 0% | 💨 N 5 to 15 mph

Friday

62 🌡️ 37 | ☀️ Sunny | 0% | 💨 NE 5 mph

Saturday

63 🌡️ 40 | ☀️ Patchy Frost then Sunny | 0% | 💨 E 0 to 5 mph

Sunday

65 🌡️ 43 | ☀️ Sunny | 0% | 💨 0 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 65ºF. Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

The full events calendar includes live music, festivals, classes, markets, family activities, community gatherings, and dozens more happenings across Northern Delaware.

Submit an event →

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