North East’s Crab Crawl Returns Saturday

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. This is your gentle nudge to take something out for dinner tonight.

Your 302 Rundown:

• Newark’s Iron Hill Brewery closes without warning

• SEPTA service to Delaware saved by emergency funding

• Delaware State University opens new high school in New York City

Let’s get to it

SPONSORED BY SENTMAN DISTRIBUTORS, PROUD SUPPORTERS OF THE 12th ANNUAL CRAB CRAWL

Crab, Craft Beer, and a Stroll Through North East 🦀🍺

The Cecil County Crab Crawl returns on Saturday, September 13, turning downtown North East into a walking, talking celebration of Maryland’s favorite crustacean. From 11:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., stroll from restaurant to restaurant and sample crab dishes crafted just for the day. Each stop serves something different, so come hungry and pace yourself. Drinks and gratuity not included.

New this year: VIP tickets include a bonus tasting at the just-opened Casa Mezcal. The North East River Yacht Club is also offering a buy-one-get-one drink special for all ticket holders. You can use it on event day or any weekend in September.

This year’s Crawl is proudly supported by Sentman Distributors, featuring Mango Cart and Kona Big Wave at select locations along the route. Keep an eye out for special pairings and pours throughout the day.

Feeling lucky? Enter the Super Mega Jumbo Lump Crab Raffle for a shot at one of ten prizes. Tickets are $10 each or $100 for a bundle of 15, and you don’t need to be present to win.

It’s crab for a cause. All proceeds support youth literacy programs through the Friends Foundation of the Cecil County Public Library. Get your tickets now at crabcrawl.org and follow along on Facebook. Get ready to crawl!

NEWS YOU CAN USE

🅿️ Wilmington Airport parking just got pricier

Flying out of ILG this holiday season? Daily parking at Wilmington Airport is going up to $11.50 starting November 1. That’s a $2 bump from the current $9.50 rate in Lots A, B, and C near the terminal.

Overflow Lot D stays at $8 and is walkable to the terminal, which is getting a facelift set to wrap up later this year. The DRBA says the hike helps fund parking upgrades and ongoing renovations.

Even with the increase, ILG is still a bargain compared to Philly’s $28 daily garage rate. Just another reason to fly local.

🚆 SEPTA service to Delaware saved (for now)

Delaware rail commuters, breathe easy. SEPTA just got emergency funding approval from Pennsylvania’s transportation department, which means trains and buses will keep running. That includes service to Claymont, Wilmington, Newark, and Christiana.

It’s only a two-year fix, and it comes at the cost of long-term infrastructure upgrades. But it avoids deeper cuts and crowding like SEPTA saw last month. Full schedules and fare increases are coming back on September 14.

It’s a win for now, but don’t toss your car keys just yet. Long-term funding is still uncertain.

🏆 AIA honors Wilmington’s Urban Artist Exchange

The Urban Artist Exchange Outdoor Amphitheater in Wilmington just won a design award from AIA Delaware. Once home to horse stables, the space now includes art studios, a gallery, and an open-air amphitheater designed by Architectural Alliance and built by EDiS.

The amphitheater opened in 2023 and was officially renamed this spring as The Tina Betz Urban Artist Exchange in honor of Wilmington’s longtime cultural leader. The project was 15 years in the making and was built with the help of local youth apprentices.

A standing ovation feels appropriate.

IN BUSINESS

🍺 Iron Hill says goodbye to Newark

After 29 years on Main Street, Iron Hill Brewery is closing its original Newark location—and it came with zero warning. The brewery, which helped revitalize the area in the ‘90s, says it's focusing on long-term growth and adapting to a changing restaurant landscape.

It’s not just Newark. Locations in Chestnut Hill, PA and Voorhees, NJ are also shutting down. Iron Hill still has spots open in Wilmington and Rehoboth, but this one hits home. The brand was literally named after a hill near Newark, and this location was the blueprint for its expansion.

Drink a pint in honor of Iron Hill’s OG brewpub.

🏢 Buccini Pollin bets big on Bellevue

Buccini Pollin Group just scooped up three office buildings at Bellevue Park Corporate Center in North Wilmington, including a historic mansion that doubles as a tenant perk space. The deal adds 252,000 square feet to their portfolio, with $7 million in upgrades planned.

This move signals BPG’s confidence in high-amenity office spaces, even in a hybrid world. They've already added a fitness center and café to neighboring 300 Bellevue and are doubling down on making Bellevue a go-to spot for regional employers.

Looks like the office isn’t dead. It just needs better snacks and a nicer view.

🏫 Delaware State opens college prep high school in NYC

Delaware State University just launched a new high school in New York City modeled after its Dover-based Early College High School. The goal is to give under-resourced NYC students a shot at earning up to 64 college credits before graduation.

More than 1,100 applied, but only 125 were accepted. Courses are taught by DSU professors, and the program is built to help students fast-track into college or jump straight into the workforce, depending on what works best for them.

The new school also strengthens DSU’s footprint in a key out-of-state student market.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

🌳 12,000 new trees coming to Delaware

Nine local organizations just got a boost from the Tree for Every Delawarean Initiative, which awarded $173,000 to help plant more than 12,000 trees next spring. It’s all part of the state’s plan to plant 1 million trees by 2030.

Recipients include schools, parks, and nonprofits across New Castle County and beyond. TEDI will also host nine tree giveaway events this fall, putting 2,250 native trees directly into the hands of Delawareans.

It is a simple, feel-good way to support cleaner air, cooler streets, and prettier neighborhoods.

⚡ Data centers to get separate electricity rate in Delaware

The Delaware Public Service Commission has voted to create a new electricity rate specifically for large energy users like data centers. Delmarva Power will propose the rate, and the PSC will decide whether to approve it.

The move follows rising concerns about how much electricity data centers use and how that impacts infrastructure and other customers’ bills. The commission paused new grid connections for these high-demand users until the new rate structure is in place.

Public workshops may be held to get feedback on how the rate is developed. The next PSC meeting is scheduled for October 15.

SPONSORED BY THE ROSAIO TEAM,
CROWN HOMES REAL ESTATE

Kristen Rosaio’s Home of the Week: Under Contract – Accepting Backup Offers

Tucked into a prime North Wilmington location, 2603 Ebright Road offers single-level living with comfort, style, and space to spare. Set on more than half an acre, this custom ranch spans 2,100 square feet and blends thoughtful updates with timeless design.

A light-filled living room with a picture window opens to a gracious foyer and dining room, while hardwood floors carry throughout much of the main level. The eat-in kitchen connects seamlessly to a cozy family room with pellet stove. French doors lead to a composite deck and wide, fenced backyard that creates easy indoor and outdoor living.

The primary suite is a private retreat, complete with a window seat overlooking the lawn and a refreshed ensuite bath. Two additional bedrooms share an updated hall bath, while a powder room, main-floor laundry, two-car garage, and full basement keep life simple. Recent improvements include a new roof (2020).

See everything this home has to offer.

THE HAPPENINGS

Multiple Days

Arts & Craft Festival at Linvilla Orchards wraps up the fall harvest season with two full days of live music and artisan shopping, featuring woodcrafts, jewelry, candles, photography, and more. Saturday and Sunday, September 13–14 from 9 AM to 5 PM No admission fee.

Dinosaur Adventure at the Chase Center on the Riverfront transforms Wilmington into a prehistoric playground this weekend, complete with roaring, life-sized dinosaurs and hands-on fun for the whole family. Little explorers can dig for fossils, zoom around on Jurassic scooters, tackle dino-themed obstacle courses, and even ride a dinosaur or meet a baby one face-to-face. Friday through Sunday. Fri 12–8 PM, Sat 9 AM–8 PM, and Sun 9 AM–7 PM.

RenaisSCIENCE Fair Weekend at the Delaware Museum of Nature & Science – Step into the Renaissance with trebuchets, alchemy, astronomy, live animals, and hands-on experiments during this playful, educational festival. Saturday and Sunday, September 13–14 from 9:30 AM to 4 PM. Free for members, included with admission for others.

Chesapeake City Seafood Festival at Pell Gardens Feast on fresh crab cakes, oysters, and more while enjoying live music, cooking demos, and waterfront vibes at this weekend-long celebration. Saturday and Sunday from 12–8 PM.

Ragtime at The Candlelight Theatre kicks off this weekend with a sweeping musical journey through turn-of-the-century America. This Tony-nominated production weaves together the stories of immigrants, African Americans, and upper-class suburbanites chasing the American dream. Saturday at 6 PM and Sunday at 1 PM.

Angels in America: Part One at Wilmington Drama League brings Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer-winning masterpiece to life, diving deep into love, politics, and identity in 1980s New York. This moving production explores the unraveling lives of two couples amidst the AIDS crisis, with surreal twists of ghosts and visions. Friday & Saturday at 7:30 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM.

Puccini Portraits at OperaDelaware Studios – Experience the passion and power of Puccini up close, with scenes from La fanciulla del West, Madama Butterfly, and Tosca performed by OperaDelaware’s acclaimed artists. Friday at 7:30 PM and Sunday at 2 PM.

Thursday

September Maker's Market at Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm – Browse handmade treasures, gourmet treats, and artisan goods from local vendors at this open-air evening market. Thursday, September 11 from 3–7 PM.

Sculpture Garden Happy Hour: Thank You First Responders Night at Delaware Art Museum Honor our everyday heroes with live music by James Spadola & Friends, lawn games, art vendors, and bites from Shugar Shack Soulfood and Dark Star BBQ. Thursday, September 11 from 5–7:30 PM. Free admission, cash bar, and a free drink for first responders with ID.

Friday

Fridays at the Farm at Coverdale Farm Preserve – Wrap up the week with live music from Seven Rings, tasty eats from local food trucks, lawn games, and farm animal visits. Friday, September 12 from 5–7:30 PM. Drinks available for purchase, and members enjoy a discount at the farm market.

Folk Art Friday at the Blue Ball Barn – Kick off the weekend with a festive night of art by Vik Hart, live tunes from Hot Breakfast, and bites from Sarcastic Chef and Donut NV. Friday, September 12 at 5 PM. (free with park entrance fee).

Fireworks Night at Whitehall lights up the sky on Friday, September 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM. Bring a chair, a blanket, and make a night of it with family, friends, and local food trucks under the stars.

Sunset River Cruises at Fort Delaware – Cruise the Delaware River aboard the Delafort ferry and take in sweeping views of Fort Delaware, Pea Patch Island, and the surrounding wildlife as the sun sets. Friday, September 12 at 6 PM. Tickets are $25 per person.

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby at Winterthur – Actor Gerald Charles Dickens brings 25 characters to life in this energetic one-man adaptation of his great-great-grandfather’s classic novel. Friday, September 12 from 6–7:30. Tickets start at $30 (discounted options available for members and children).

Saturday

BCCD Car Show at Battery Park, New Castle rolls into town with polished chrome, Union Jacks, and a touch of British flair. Saturday, September 13 starting at 9 AM, stroll through classic British cars, vote for your favorites, and check out the “Best British-Themed Display” contest.

Crab Crawl 2025 at Main Street, North East brings a feast of local flavor to town, with crab-inspired tastings from top restaurants like Bella’s, Forge Southern Comfort, and Pier One. Saturday, September 13 from 11 AM–4:30 PM, enjoy five crab dishes, sweet treats from North East Chocolates, drink specials, raffles, and more—all to support children’s literacy at the Cecil County Public Library.

Overdose Awareness Day, DE at Delcastle Recreational Park offers a day of remembrance, healing, and connection, with speakers, kids activities, giveaways, and over 100 community exhibitors. Saturday, September 13 from 11 AM to 3 PM. All are welcome to join this free, family-friendly event.

Soggy Doggy Splash at Maple Valley Swim Club invites pups of all sizes for a splash-tastic end-of-summer swim. Bring your four-legged friend for a dip, a photo booth moment, and some tail-wagging fun. Saturday, September 13 from 11 AM to 1:30 PM.

Parks on Draft at Norma B. Handloff Park – Join the Friends of Fusion Foundation and Drip Café for this month’s Parks on Draft at Norma B. Handloff Park. Enjoy live music from Charrity & John, cold drinks, and tasty food while supporting a great cause—all proceeds from drink sales benefit the foundation. Be sure to bring a chair and settle in for a relaxed evening under the sky. September 13, 2025, from 5–8 PM.

Hispanic Heritage Festival at Kennett Square – Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Casa Guanajuato at this energetic outdoor festival packed with live music, folkloric dance, artisan vendors, and authentic Latin cuisine. Saturday, September 13 from 12–6 PM.

Sunday

See the events with multiple dates or catch a live show.

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Thursday

82 🌡️ 59 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 6% | 💨 N 8 mph

Friday

81 🌡️ 59 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 4% | 💨 NE 7 mph

Saturday

81 🌡️ 60 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 14% | 💨 SSE 6 mph

Sunday

84 🌡️ 61 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 16% | 💨 WSW 8 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 73ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

THE NOT SO SHORTLIST

Now on Their Own Pages

• 🧘 Health & Wellness

• 🎭 Theatre/Arts 

• 🥳 Casual Plans 

• 🎶 Live Music

• 🌽 Farmers Markets

• 🧒 For the Kids (coming soon)

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