Kennett Square Hosts 3rd Annual Roots & Blues Festival

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. The first attempt is allowed to look like the first attempt. That's why they numbered them.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

Above the Canal Experiences is creating more ways to get out, try something different, and spend time with people from around Northern Delaware.

That might mean a social gathering, a creative workshop, a local outing, a hands-on class, or an experience you probably would not have planned on your own.

The Dinner Club is only one piece of it. New events and ideas are being developed now, with a mix of casual, active, creative, and just-for-fun options.

Join the Above the Canal Experiences email list to hear about upcoming events, new experiences, and invitations as they are announced.

No commitment. Just an easy way to see what is coming next.

Delaware is a small state, but that doesn't mean we're short on neighbors. A big chunk of the state's population is packed into New Castle County. Do you know roughly how many of us there are?

Source: DNREC

Delaware’s 2026-27 hunting season opens its early calendar with archery and crossbow deer seasons, plus resident Canada goose and mourning dove seasons. DNREC also outlined rule changes for hunters heading into the season statewide.

The updates included Sunday hunting for all game species, expanded muzzleloader and straight-walled rifle rules, and changes for youth hunting. The resident Canada goose season also has a larger daily bag limit, though hunters were told to check final federal migratory bird rules.

A new addendum to the hunting and trapping guide covered Chronic Wasting Disease requirements and deer testing options. Updated wildlife area maps were expected online by September 1.

The Delaware Historical Society and Historic Mother African Union Church opened a new exhibition at the Delaware History Museum in Wilmington, marking the start of this year’s August Quarterly. The display traces the church’s story from its 1813 founding by Rev. Peter Spencer as the nation’s first independent Black church.

The exhibit uses archival documents and interactive displays to follow more than 200 years of church history alongside Wilmington and Delaware events. It was first planned for the church’s Heritage Hallway, but moved after a May 17 fire destroyed the historic sanctuary.

The exhibition runs through October 17 and is included with museum admission.

Source: Delaware Lottery

A Wilmington woman hit the $100,000 top prize in the Delaware Lottery’s 100X THE CELEBRATION instant game after buying her ticket at Naaman’s Beverage Mart on Naamans Road in Claymont. The 32-year-old, who did not release her name, claimed the prize at Lottery headquarters in Dover.

She told lottery officials it was her first big win and said she contacted family after realizing what happened. She said some of the money would go toward her upcoming wedding.

The $20 ticket launched in 2025 for the lottery’s 50th anniversary year. One $100,000 top prize remained unclaimed after her win.

Source: Cecil Whig

State health officials declared a measles outbreak in Cecil County after confirming five cases of the highly infectious disease. All five individuals were unvaccinated.

Public health officer Dr. Karyl Rattay noted concerns about the virus spreading as local public schools resume classes. Health officials advise anyone who is unvaccinated and exposed to the virus to avoid public contact for three weeks, as individuals can be contagious for days before showing symptoms like a rash or dehydration.

The Cecil County Health Department is offering the MMR vaccine to residents regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. Walk-in appointments are available at the Elkton health center.

Source: Delaware Business Times

Delaware saw its unemployment rate drop to 4.8% in July. The state recorded its fourth consecutive monthly decline, though the overall labor force continued to shrink.

While the percentage of unemployed residents fell, the state actually lost 1,100 jobs between June and July. The unemployment rate dropped partly because fewer people actively looked for work. Trade and transportation services took the biggest hit, losing 600 positions, while the private education and health sectors added 200 jobs.

Delaware tied for 42nd in nationwide unemployment rankings for the month. The state average remained higher than the national rate of 4.2%.

Connor Creative House now brings our trusted story-driven content creation approach to individuals and families celebrating life's big occasions, such as weddings, showers and other private events.

We document everything you'll want to remember — candid moments, behind-the-scenes details and guest interactions, delivering raw footage within 24 hours and edited recap videos (Reels) within 48 hours.

View video samples and learn more, or email Krista Connor at [email protected] to reserve your event date.

(And businesses, we're still creating content for your brands, corporate events and social media, too!)

Source: Delaware Public Media

The Wilmington Planning Commission voted against a rezoning request for the proposed Bancroft Parkway redevelopment. Despite the rejection, the project is advancing to the City Council for a vote.

Because the commission rejected the proposal, the project requires a 75% supermajority vote from the council to pass. Councilman Chris Johnson is backing the development, noting that the developer is open to reducing the building height from the originally proposed 12 stories to address neighborhood concerns.

If approved, the privately funded project would add up to 180 housing units to the area.

Source: Spotlight Delaware

Wilmington opened applications for an $8.4 million subsidy fund aimed at helping developers build affordable housing. The program emerged from a budget compromise between Mayor John Carney and the City Council in May.

City officials designed the funding to help construct about 500 new units. To qualify, developers need shovel-ready projects and must agree to keep the homes affordable for at least 10 years for families earning up to 80% of the area median income. The city prioritized projects that consolidate multiple units under a single roof.

The application window closes August 31. The city expects to announce the funding awards in September.

Source: State of Delaware News

Delaware joined a massive multistate settlement with Meta over the design of its social media platforms. The agreement resolved claims that Facebook and Instagram were built with addictive features that harmed young users.

Under the deal, the state will receive a guaranteed $73.6 million over the next decade. Most of those funds are earmarked for teen health and safety programs, including crisis intervention and after-school services. Meta must also roll out new safety controls, such as daily time limits, nighttime lockouts, and restricted notifications during school hours.

The settlement now awaits final approval from a federal judge in California.

Sculpture Garden Happy Hours: Karaoke Night Hosted by Ronin Ali w/ DJ Mike Nite | Delaware Art Museum. A karaoke evening hosted by entertainer Ronin Ali and DJ Mike Nite with day-of performance sign-ups. The event includes a cash bar, local food trucks, lawn games, and arts and crafts vendors. Thursday at 5 PM.

Summer Concert Series: Early Girl and the Big Boys | Bellevue State Park. A live outdoor performance at the Bellevue Bandshell, where attendees can bring a picnic or purchase meals from local food trucks. Thursday at 6:30 PM.

The Four Seasons: A Drones & Strings Spectacular | Longwood Gardens. A 60-minute live performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons by the Blue Line Quartet, accompanied by a choreographed drone light show and thousands of candles on the Orchard Lawn. Tickets are $60 for general lawn seating or $85 for reserved seating, and include all-day gardens admission. Thursday at 8:30 PM.

Twilight on the Terrace | Mt. Cuba Center. An evening of live music and after-hours garden access featuring free tours. Attendees can bring a picnic and lawn chairs or purchase food truck fare, beer, and wine. Friday 5-8 PM.

Fourth Friday Art on the Town | New Castle Historical Society. A monthly town-wide event in New Castle featuring local artists and participating businesses at venues across town. Friday 5-8 PM.

August Quarterly Liberation Fest | Delaware Historical Society. An all-white party featuring Pieces of a Dream on the dance floor and the Best Kept band performing live. Friday 6-9 PM.

Fort Folk Fest featuring Paul and Begoña | Fort DuPont State Park. A performance by duo Paul and Begoña blending flamenco and Latin music on classical and Spanish guitar with vocals. Friday 7-9 PM.

Unicorn Quest 2026 | The Green. A free Main Street quest where participants earn gems through activities, purchases, event photos, and character photos, then trade them for raffle tickets toward the Mystic Prize Basket. Activities include the Cecil County Public Library Bookmobile and crafts, temporary pirate tattoos, police hats and fingerprinting, and photos with mermaids, unicorn characters, and pony “unicorns.” Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM.

3rd Annual Roots & Blues Festival | Anson B Nixon Park. A live music festival featuring The Cris Jacobs Band, Brother John, and Bones Brigade, alongside food and local vendors. Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 starting August 22, and $50 on the day of the event; children 12 and under are free. Saturday at 11 AM.

Mickey Fest | Twisted Irons Craft Brewing. A family-friendly and dog-friendly outdoor fundraiser for Sanfilippo disease with live music, food trucks, kids' activities, and craft beer. Attendees can bring chairs, and an indoor after-party runs until 11 PM. $5 suggested donation. Saturday 12-8 PM.

The Big Quarterly | Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park. An all-day gospel concert featuring local, regional, and national groups, alongside cultural vendors and a children's area. Sunday 12-8 PM.

Summer Concert Series: Diamond State Concert Band | Bellevue State Park. A performance by the Diamond State Concert Band for the 39th annual Summer Concert Series at the Bellevue Bandshell, with space for picnicking and local food trucks on site. Sunday at 6:30 PM.

More happenings we couldn’t fit in the newsletter.

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

Thursday

86 🌡️ 69 | ⛈️ Showers And Thunderstorms Likely | 77% | 💨 S 5 to 10 mph

Friday

86 🌡️ 67 | 🌤️ Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny | 33% | 💨 NW 0 to 5 mph

Saturday

85 🌡️ 66 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 3% | 💨 NE 0 to 5 mph

Sunday

88 🌡️ 71 | ☀️ Sunny | 7% | 💨 S 0 to 5 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 77ºF. 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 →

We’ve been getting a lot of love lately (thank you!). But here’s a little behind-the-scenes truth: when you click on things in this newsletter—links, polls, even the little “Read more” button—it tells the internet powers-that-be that Above the Canal is something people care about.

So if you like what you’re reading, tap below and let us know. It’s a small gesture that helps this whole local thing keep growing.

Thanks for reading. Forward this to the friend who treats a Costco sample like a binding commitment to buy.

Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up
If Above the Canal adds value to your day, consider supporting it.
Let’s make it official—follow us on Facebook and Instagram.