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Porchfest takes over Trolley and Cool Spring
Wilmington hosts all-day porch music festival, Wilmington University unveils cost-saving law school pathway, Kid Davis keeps the music going at a new stage.
Above the Canal
October 02, 2025
☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. Every good day starts with noticing it’s good.
Your 302 Rundown:
Porches become stages at Wilmington Porchfest
New law degree option starts at Wilmington University
The Bullets start a new chapter at Kelly’s Logan House
Let’s get to it
SPONSORED BY THE ROSAIO TEAM,
CROWN HOMES REAL ESTATE
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In the quiet Elliots Run neighborhood, this move-in ready home offers rare modern construction in the heart of Wilmington. Built in the 1990s, the property combines city convenience with thoughtful updates and nearly 2,600 square feet of finished living space.
Inside, the living room connects to a formal dining area and kitchen, with access to a finished basement, half bath, and a newer Trex deck with solar lighting. The space is ideal for entertaining or simply enjoying a quiet evening. The second floor features a spacious primary suite with abundant light and a full bath with double sinks, along with a generous second bedroom. On the third level, you will find a versatile landing, a cozy dormered bedroom, and custom storage.
Additional highlights include a finished basement with new flooring, two assigned parking spaces, and major system updates including roof (2024), AC (2023), heater (2021), and water heater (2025).
View the complete listing and photo gallery: 121 W 21st Street, Wilmington
NEWS YOU CAN USE
🎶 Ladybug co-founder retires, festival up for grabs
After 13 summers of packing downtown with women-led music, Wilmington’s Ladybug Music Festival may be over. Co-founder Gayle Dillman announced her retirement on Oct. 1, and the future is uncertain unless a new owner steps in. The festival began in 2012, drew thousands at its peak, and billed itself as the largest free celebration of women in music. Dillman says the door isn’t closed. She’s open to a sale so Ladybug can live on. Get the full story from the Delaware News Journal.
If a local sponsor or venue group picks it up, Wilmington could keep a signature summer tradition on the calendar.
🚒 Wilmington firefighters get more rest between shifts
The Wilmington Fire Department has moved to a new schedule that gives crews more downtime between calls. As of October 1, firefighters will work 24 hours on duty followed by 72 hours off, instead of the old 24/48 setup. That adds an extra day of rest each cycle and brings the average workweek to 48 hours.
Chief John Looney told WDEL the change should boost health, morale, and job satisfaction. With 183 firefighters on staff and many cross-trained as EMTs, the department already responds to nearly one third of Delaware’s emergency calls.
Extra recovery time means better balance for the people running into emergencies when the rest of us are running out.
🚗 New flyover ramp opens at I-95/896
Driving through the I-95/896 interchange just got a little smoother. Over the weekend, the second flyover ramp opened to traffic, this one carrying drivers from southbound Route 896 onto northbound I-95. The first ramp, from I-95 south to Route 896 south, opened back in June.
These flyovers are designed to cut down on the weaving that has long made this interchange a headache. The $224 million project also includes wider lanes, upgraded lighting, ten rehabbed bridges, and even a new walking and biking bridge over I-95.
The entire project is scheduled to wrap up in summer 2026, so expect a few more milestones before the final ribbon cutting.
🎸 Kid Davis & the Bullets christen new stage
Nineteen years. Four stages. Countless late nights. The Thursday night tradition lives on. Starting October 16, Kid Davis & the Bullets are moving upstairs into the newly minted Bullets Lounge at Kelly’s Logan House.
Every Thursday from 8 to 11 PM, the rock ’n’ roll flows while $5 Stella bottles and plenty of food specials keep the energy high. Big credit to GM Dan Dougherty and the crew for giving the band a new home that still feels like the same party Delawareans have loved for nearly two decades.
If you have been looking for a reason to make Thursdays your night out, this is it. Kelly’s Logan House just gave Wilmington a new upstairs tradition.
🏖 Delaware beaches 5,000 pounds lighter
What do a car exhaust, a bean bag chair, and thousands of cigarette butts have in common? They all washed up on Delaware’s shores and just got hauled away. Nearly 1,000 volunteers joined DNREC’s 38th annual Coastal Cleanup earlier this month, pulling 5,121 pounds of trash off more than 45 sites from Fenwick Island to Battery Park in New Castle County.
The usual suspects like wrappers, bottle caps, and butts topped the list, but the haul also included some oddball junk. All that data feeds into global ocean health tracking, so every bottle cap counted.
It shows how a few hours on a Saturday can make a real dent in keeping our beaches beautiful. DNREC reminds us that cleanup is not just one day a year and that every stroll with a trash bag helps.
The St. John Holy Angels Catholic Cemetery at Elkton Road and West Park Place had become overgrown and neglected. Enter 18-year-old Andrew Beaudette of Boy Scout Troop 252, who chose it as his Eagle Scout project.
With help from family and friends, the Appoquinimink High senior cleared brush, hauled trash, repaired gates, and added benches. The cemetery, dating back to 1892, is now a more welcoming place for remembrance thanks to one determined teen.
IN BUSINESS
🎓 Fast track to a law degree in Delaware
Wilmington University is shaving a year off the road to becoming a lawyer. Its new 3+3 Law Degree Pathway lets students earn both a bachelor’s and a J.D. in just six years—while paying undergrad tuition for the first year of law school. That’s a serious cost saver, with WilmU’s tuition already well below the national average.
The program is designed with flexibility in mind—whether you’re fresh out of high school, mid-career, or switching fields. Early advising and LSAT prep support help keep students on track, and the first class of WilmU law grads is set to walk in 2026.
For Delaware, it means more homegrown lawyers trained close to the communities they’ll serve. A smart option for anyone who wants less debt and more time practicing.
💼 Law firms fill up Wilmington’s PNC Bank Center
Wilmington’s PNC Bank Center is nearly full, with Ballard Spahr, Wilson Sonsini, and Scott + Scott all signing leases that pushed the tower to 90.9% occupancy.
The draw? A recent top-to-bottom renovation—think sleek elevators, a fitness center, and a six-level garage—plus a prime Central Business District address steps from Hotel DuPont and the Playhouse.
It’s a rare downtown office win at a time when many cities are still struggling to fill their towers.
THE HAPPENINGS
Multiple Days
Wilmington Black Restaurant Week. Wilmington Black Restaurant Week is back Sept. 28–Oct. 5, with dozens of restaurants serving up flavors that range from Southern classics to Afro-Caribbean favorites. It’s a chance to explore the city’s dining scene, discover new favorites, and support local chefs during this weeklong celebration of food and community.
Garden Bros Nuclear Circus – Delaware Park Casino. Experience 100 minutes of nonstop thrills under the Big Top, featuring the Human Cannonball, Globe of Death, aerial stunts, and more, plus a family-friendly pre-show with rides and games. Thursday, October 2 through Sunday, October 5. Kids get in free with each adult ticket, and the first 100 adult tickets online are just $22.50.
Hayrides, Corn Maze, & Autumn Activities at Ramsey’s Farm – Spend the day picking pumpkins, wandering the corn maze, and enjoying family activities, then stick around for Bonfire Nights with hayrides, a flashlight maze, and s’mores under the stars. Open Fridays 1–5 PM and Saturdays & Sundays 10 AM–5 PM, with Bonfire Nights Fridays & Saturdays 6–9 PM.
The Big Bounce America – Kirkwood Sports brings the world’s largest touring inflatable park to Wilmington for one weekend only. Explore massive custom-built attractions including a bounce house the size of a Taj Mahal, an intergalactic ball pit, and even a sports arena filled with games. Saturday & Sunday, October 4–5; tickets required for both family and adult-only sessions.
Friday
Telescope Viewing – Woodside Farm Creamery. Savor a scoop of homemade ice cream, then peer into the night sky through high-powered telescopes for a stargazing treat. Friday, October 3 from 6 to 8 PM.
Folklore Friday: An Evening of Greenbank Mill Ghost Stories – Greenbank Mills & Philips Farm. Gather around the bonfire as historian Tony Shahan shares eerie tales and first-hand paranormal encounters from his 37 years working in museums. Friday, October 3 from 7 to 9 PM. Tickets are $5 for non-members and free for members.
Goth Ball – Rockwood Park & Museum. Step into the shadows at this fundraiser party featuring 80s alternative favorites from Melt With You, haunting beats by DJ Raven de la Noir, museum tours, haunted trails, and more. Friday, October 3 from 7–11 PM. Tickets are $95 and include open bar, snacks, vendors, and photo ops, with proceeds supporting Rockwood’s preservation.
Sheng Wang – The Playhouse at The Grand brings his stand-up comedy to Wilmington for one night only. Known for his Netflix special Sweet & Juicy produced by Ali Wong, Sheng delivers sharp, witty observations with a laid-back style that’s both clever and relatable. Friday, October 3 at 8 PM.
Saturday
October Delaware Train Show – Nur Shrine Center. Browse more than 150 tables of new and vintage trains, slot cars, and layouts at this annual collector’s event. Saturday, October 4 from 9 AM to 2 PM (early buyer hour at 8 AM). Admission is $5, and kids under 12 get in free.
Truck & Tractor Day – Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library invites families to climb aboard big rigs, try on firefighter gear, and enjoy hayrides during a full day of outdoor fun. Perfect for kids and kids-at-heart, this farm-themed event is included with admission. Saturday, October 4 from 10 AM–4 PM.
Delaware City Day 2025 – Battery Park celebrates the town’s history and community spirit with a full day of festivities along the riverfront. Enjoy live music, food, vendors, kids’ activities, and cap it all off with one of Delaware’s best fireworks shows at dusk. Saturday, October 4 from 10 AM–8 PM. Free admission.
Pond Fest 2025 – Lums Pond State Park. Spend the day lakeside enjoying live music, food trucks, craft beer, artisan vendors, and family-friendly activities, while supporting park improvements such as a new accessible kayak launch. Saturday, October 4 from 11 AM to 6 PM. Pre-sale tickets include a free raffle entry and discounts on Pond Fest gear.
Live! Music Brunch: New Gen Vibes – Delaware Art Museum kicks off the museum’s Hip Hop Cultural Summit with fresh beats and rising DJ talent. Enjoy brunch, cocktails, and a lively mid-morning vibe featuring sets from DJ DomUnique and DJ Sai Euniq. Saturday, October 4 from 11 AM–1 PM. Free with admission; members free.
Wilmington Porchfest – Trolley Square & Cool Spring. Stroll through the neighborhoods and enjoy dozens of local musicians performing free sets from porches, stoops, and steps in this community-driven DIY music festival. Music runs Saturday, October 11 from 12–4 PM in Cool Spring and 12–8 PM in Trolley Square, followed by an after-party at Logan House at 8 PM.
* Editor’s note: This article previously listed the wrong date for this event. The correct date is October 11.
Community Day – New Garden Park. Celebrate fall with a full afternoon of family fun including hayrides, a hay maze, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making, face painting, games, food and drinks, and over 30 local vendors. Saturday, October 4 from 12–4 PM. Free admission, with complimentary cider donuts and cider, plus a “Fill the Truck” food drive collecting non-perishables.
Barks and Brews – Brandywine River Museum of Art. Raise a stein and bring your pup to this Oktoberfest-themed afternoon featuring craft beer from 2SP Brewing, German-inspired eats, and live music by the Moondawgs. Saturday, October 4 from 12–4 PM. Free to attend in the courtyard; food, drinks, and museum admission available for purchase.
Respect the DJ Battle – Tubman-Garrett Riverfront Park brings turntablists head-to-head in a high-energy showcase of skill and creativity. Part of the Health Hope & Hip Hop Block Party, the winner earns cash, a featured summit set, and a DelArt House DJ contract. Saturday, October 4 from 1–6 PM. Free.
Kennett Brewfest – 600 S. Broad Street, Kennett Square. Sample pours from more than 80 local and regional craft breweries, enjoy live music, food trucks, and shop from local vendors at this beloved annual tradition. Saturday, October 4 from 1:30 to 5 PM. Proceeds benefit Kennett Collaborative’s community programs, including the KSQ Farmers Market and Holiday Light Parade.
Bark @ Del’Park – Delaware Park returns for its 2nd annual celebration of pups and playful competition. Cheer on rescue dogs in the Dog Dash races, enjoy adoption events, sip themed “Puptails,” and snag giveaways while supporting Faithful Friends and Humane Animal Partners. Saturday, October 4 from 1:45–3:45 PM.
Season Opening Concert – Master Players Concert Series, University of Delaware opens its new season with accordionist Hanzhi Wang and flutist Anthony Trionfo, two international prizewinners known for their dazzling virtuosity. Their unique duo performance promises a colorful program that blends tradition with fresh artistry. Saturday, October 4 at 3 PM.
Sunday
Octoberfest Toy Show – Nur Shrine Center. Explore two rooms filled with more than 175 tables of vintage and collectible toys at this annual show. Sunday, October 5 from 10 AM to 4 PM (early buyer hour at 9 AM). Admission is $7, and kids under 12 get in free.
The Market at CCArts – Center for the Creative Arts. Shop a curated selection of handmade goods from local artisans, enjoy a bake sale, and grab a bite from the food truck at this final outdoor market of the year. Sunday, October 5 from 11 AM to 3 PM. In case of rain, the event will move indoors to the art studios.
Black Food Festival – The Queen. Wrap up Wilmington Black Restaurant Week with an afternoon of free tastings, a student cook-off, live DJ, and a special celebrity chef appearance, all while the Eagles game streams on the big screen. Sunday, October 5 from 12–4 PM. Free with RSVP.
Nothing in this section is sponsored. Just things worth knowing. I’ll always flag sponsors clearly.
FORECAST AT A GLANCE
Thursday
71 🌡️ 48 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 2% | 💨 ENE 8 mph
Friday
72 🌡️ 50 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 8% | 💨 SSW 6 mph
Saturday
79 🌡️ 52 | ☀️ Sunny | 8% | 💨 WSW 6 mph
Sunday
80 🌡️ 54 | ☀️ Sunny | 8% | 💨 SW 7 mph
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 72ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.
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