Camels, Zebras, and Ostriches Race at Delaware Park look

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. Of course Delaware’s got ostrich races and a tornado video the same week it drops the date for legal weed.
Happy Fourth—let’s get into it.

Your 302 Rundown:

• Delaware Park Goes Wild with Exotic Animal Racing

• Legal Pot Hits Delaware Dispensaries August 1

• Stoney’s British Pub Is Shutting Down After 25 Years

Let’s get to it

NEWS YOU CAN USE

🦓 🐪 🐦 Jockeys, start your zebras

Delaware Park is getting wild this Friday with its first-ever “Safari Sprint”—featuring camels, zebras, and ostriches racing alongside the usual thoroughbreds. Yes, jockeys will actually ride them. No, you can’t bet on the exotic ones, but you can win up to $50 in slot dollars if you guess the winners right.

The animals hit the track in short bursts right in front of the grandstands, with names like “Over the Hump” and “Henhouse Herry” sure to make the announcer earn his paycheck.

Add food trucks, a pop-up bar, and activities in the picnic area, and you’ve got one heck of a Fourth.

🌿 Legal weed sales start August 1 in Delaware

Starting August 1, you’ll be able to legally buy recreational marijuana in Delaware. The state’s new cannabis market is finally launching after years of legislation, regulation-writing, and lottery licensing.

Shops with medical licenses can start adult-use sales right away, and more stores will follow thanks to social equity grants and new conditional licenses. The goal? A safe, fair, and well-regulated system that also generates revenue for schools, public health, and communities most affected by past drug laws.

It’s a big cultural shift—but handled the Delaware way: slow, steady, and with plenty of oversight.

🌪️ Tornado touchdown caught on camera

A small tornado spun through Omar, Delaware on Monday, and yes—it was caught on video. The National Weather Service confirmed the twister touched down around 1:16 p.m., calling it brief and weak with just minor tree damage.

There was no tornado warning at the time, just a severe thunderstorm alert—so the swirling skies definitely turned heads.

IN BUSINESS

🎉 10 years of Grain = one giant parking lot party

Grain Craft Bar + Kitchen is turning 10, and they’re celebrating the only way they know how: with Grainfest — a free, family- and dog-friendly music fest packed with good food, cold drinks, and live music. It’s all going down Saturday, July 19, starting at noon behind their Newark location.

Headliner Nelly’s Echo (you might recognize him from The Voice) will keep the vibes high while you enjoy a day of local flavor and live tunes.

Whether you’re a regular or just love a good summer party, this is one you won’t want to miss.

🇬🇧 Stoney’s British Pub is saying cheerio

After 25 years of pints, pasties, and proper fish and chips, Stoney’s British Pub is closing its doors for good on August 16. Owner Mike Stone, who swapped rock stars for steak and kidney pie, says the Concord Pike favorite never quite bounced back from COVID and inflation didn’t help either.

It’s the end of an era for Talleyville regulars who came for the fish and chips but stayed for the royal watch parties, Robert Burns dinners (yes, there was haggis), and decades of memories.

If you’ve ever wanted a pint with your Yorkshire pudding under Guy Fieri’s stamp of approval, now’s your last chance.

🏥 ChristianaCare’s $865M healthcare boost

Big news for Delaware’s medical scene—ChristianaCare is investing $865 million over the next three years to expand care statewide. That includes a brand-new 87,000-square-foot Health Center coming to Middletown in 2027, plus more jobs and services across New Castle, Kent, and Sussex counties.

The investment will grow access to primary care, cancer treatment, behavioral health, and even same-day surgeries thanks to new ambulatory centers.

It’s a huge step toward making top-tier healthcare more local and more convenient—especially for Middletown’s booming population.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

🏠 Tiny homes for big challenges in Newark?

Newark City Council is considering whether a “Pallet Village” of tiny cabins could help address homelessness. Modeled after a successful version in Georgetown, the concept offers lockable, air-conditioned shelters plus access to social services—no sobriety required, just a willingness to get back on track.

Council members are scouting potential locations and weighing concerns from neighbors who might not love the idea in their backyard.

It’s still early days, but it’s a conversation that could shape how Newark tackles a tough issue with a little more dignity and a lot more compassion.

THE HAPPENINGS

Thursday

Sculpture Garden Happy Hours: Thank You Veterans Night – Honor our veterans with a relaxed evening of music by Genesis Z, a cash bar, lawn games, and local eats from Dark Star BBQ. Thursday, July 3, from 5–7:30 PM at the Delaware Art Museum’s Sculpture Garden, Wilmington.

Seven Rings at Bellevue Bandshell – Irish pub songs meet classic rock and country in this lively outdoor concert from local favorites Seven Rings. Thursday, July 3, at 6:30 PM at Bellevue State Park’s Bandshell, Wilmington.

4th of July Festivities

Hockessin 4th of July Festival and Fireworks – Join in a full day of community fun featuring morning relay races, Delaware’s best Independence Day parade in the afternoon, and fireworks to cap off the celebration. Friday, July 4, festivities start in the morning with fireworks at dusk in Hockessin.

4th of July Bell-Ringing Ceremony in Historic New Castle – Step back in time for a patriotic afternoon honoring Delaware’s Revolutionary roots with a ceremonial bell-ringing and a talk on George Read, signer of the Declaration and Constitution. Friday, July 4, from 1:30–2:30 PM at Immanuel Episcopal Church on the Green, New Castle.

Newark’s Liberty Day Festival and Fireworks – Kick off the holiday with live music from Beatles tribute band Magical Mystery and high-energy favorites Mike Hines & the Look, plus kids’ games, food trucks, and craft vendors. Friday, July 4, festivities begin at 6 PM with fireworks at 9:30 PM at the University of Delaware Athletic Complex.

Middletown 4th of July Fireworks – Wrap up your Fourth with Middletown’s annual fireworks show, launching at dark from Silver Lake Park. Friday, July 4, walk-in access begins at 6 PM with fireworks after sunset at Silver Lake Park.

4th of July Fireworks Show on the Bohemia Ft. Love Hate Mixtape – Rock out riverside with live music from Love Hate Mixtape, drinks at the beach bar, and fireworks bursting over the Bohemia River. Friday, July 4, music from 6–8:45 PM with fireworks at 9 PM at Bohemia Manor Farm, Chesapeake City, MD.

Saturday

Independence Day Celebration on Rodney Square – Head downtown for an afternoon of music, kids' activities, cultural showcases, and food trucks, all part of Wilmington’s 250th celebration kickoff. Saturday, July 5, from 12–3 PM at Rodney Square, Wilmington.

Red, White, & BBQ at Makers Alley – Keep the holiday vibes going with BBQ specials, cold drinks, and live music from JD Webb rocking the beer garden. Saturday, July 5, from 12–7 PM at Makers Alley, Wilmington.

Independence Day Celebration in Chesapeake City – Enjoy an evening of live music, food and craft vendors, and a waterfront fireworks show over the canal. Saturday, July 5, festivities begin at 5 PM with fireworks at dark at Pell Gardens, Chesapeake City, MD.

Sunday

The Sin City Band at Bellevue Bandshell – Celebrate over 50 years of toe-tapping Americana with The Sin City Band at this laid-back summer concert. Sunday, July 6, at 6:30 PM at Bellevue State Park’s Bandshell, Wilmington.

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Thursday

89 🌡️ 65 | ☀️ | 18% | 💨 WNW 10 mph

Friday

85 🌡️ 64 | ☀️ | 4% | 💨 NNW 7 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 74 °F
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Thursday, July 3

• Innovation Way/James Hall Trail | Fusion Running Club | 6:30 PM

• Rockwood Park & Museum | Thursday AM Chair Yoga | 9-10 AM

• Twisted Irons Craft Brewing | Twisted Little Run Club | 6 PM

• Wilmington Brew Works | Run Club w/ Omega Project | 6-7:30 PM

THEATRE/ARTS

Coming soon!

WEEKNIGHT SOCIAL

Thursday, July 3

• Autumn Arch Beer Project | Team Trivia | 7 PM

• Grain H2O | Matt’s Classic Bingo | 7-9 PM

• JAKL Beer Works | Trivia Night w/ Xixa | 7-9 PM

• Market at Liberty Place | Music Bingo | 6-8 PM

• Wilmington Brew Works | Boombox Bingo | 7-9 PM

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday, July 3

• Argilla Brewing Co | Open Mic Night | 5-9 PM

• Bar XIII | Asylum 13 w/ the Rapture | 9 PM

• Bardea Garden | DJ Tksone | 7-10 PM

• Bellefonte Cafe | John Lynch | 8-10 PM

• Bellevue State Park | Seven Rings | 6:30 PM

• Chesapeake Inn | The Whitewalls | 6-10 PM

• Chesapeake Inn | Bleech | 12-4 PM

• Christiana Pub | Karaoke Night | 9 PM-1 AM

• Deer Park Tavern | DJ Joey G | 9 PM

• Delaware Art Museum | Sculpture Garden Happy Hour featuring Genesis Z | 5-7:30 PM

• Docklands Riverfront | Dance Party w/ DJ Doc B and Best Kept Soul Live Band | 8 PM-1 AM

• Docklands Riverfront | Brandi Acoustic | 5-8 PM

• Elk River Brewing Co | Karaoke | 6-9 PM

• Hummingbird to Mars | Johnny Never Blues | 7-10 PM

• Kelly's Logan House | Ed Dwornik & Friends | 5-8 PM

• Longwood Gardens | The Stonethrowers String Band w/ Marc Silver | 6-8:45 PM

• Saint Georges Country Store | The Blue Earl Band | 6-9 PM

• Schaefers Canal House | Chorduroy Duo | 5 PM

• Six Paupers | Chad Racine | 7-10:30 PM

• Sully's Irish Pub | Dead Night w/ Local Honey and Friends | 8 PM

• The Nomad | Vince Ladear | 9 PM-12 AM

• The Reef Seafood & Steak | Thursday Night Live! Karaoke w/ DJ Anita | 7 PM

• Tom Foolerys | Karaoke | 9 PM-12 AM

• Uncle John’s BBQ Stand | Jimmy Jimmy | 6-8 PM

• Unwined on the Water | Exit 93 | 4-8 PM

Friday, July 4

• Bar XIII | Emo Night 215 – Independence Edition | 9 PM

• Catherine Rooney’s| It's All Good | 10 PM-1 AM

• Chesapeake Inn | Nofilter | 7-11 PM

• Chesapeake Inn | Syde Two Band | 1-5 PM

• Chuck Lager | Samuel Mousley | 6-9 PM

• Crooked Hammock | AJ Love | 5-8 PM

• Docklands Riverfront | 4th of July DJ Fest | 5 PM-1 AM

• Dolly Spanker's | Club Phred | 7-10 PM

• Elk River Brewing Co | Josh Borders | 7-10 PM

• Gallucio’s | Kid Davis & the Bullets | 8-11 PM

• Grain Exchange | The Yellowstoners | 5-8 PM

• Grain H2O | DJ Amaze | 8 PM-12 AM

• Gus’s Crab Shack | Wit or Without | 2-6 PM

• Gus’s Crab Shack | Jim Cochran | 3-7 PM

• Gus’s Crab Shack | Nicks in Time – Stevie Nicks Tribute Band | 7:30-11 PM

• Hummingbird to Mars | John Hoey | 9 PM-12 AM

• Kelly's Logan House | Bones Brigade | 9-11:59 PM

• Patriots Glen Golf Club | Bucket of Hot | 7-10 PM

• Penns Woods Winery | Ryan Laliberte | 1-4:00 PM

• Roost Pub | DJ Joey G | 4-7 PM

• Schaefers Canal House | J Paris | 6 PM

• Six Paupers | AJ Jesson | 9 PM-12 AM

• Sully's Irish Pub | DJ Hank Hell | 9 PM

• The Gap Pub & Grill | Elon Busk | 7-10 PM

• The Reef Seafood & Steak | Best Kept Soul Red White & Soul Indepen-dance Party | 8 PM

• Tom Foolerys | Icon DJs | 10 PM-1 AM

• Tom Foolerys | Vic Kozar | 5-8 PM

• Unwined on the Water | The Loop | 5-9 PM

• Volunteer Brewing Company | Karaoke w/ DJ Tee | 6-9:30 PM

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Thanks for reading.
Have a great Fourth.
And if someone you know still asks, “What’s going on this weekend?”—send them this. Problem solved.

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