- Above the Canal
- Posts
- Rockford Park Hosts Delaware’s Ultimate Burger Competition
Rockford Park Hosts Delaware’s Ultimate Burger Competition
The 12th annual Burger Battle is a must-eat event, new pickleball club opens Saturday in Newark, Junie B. Jones Musical opens Aug 22 at CCArts.
Above the Canal
August 21, 2025
☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. No national drama. Just what’s happening right here, right now.
Your 302 Rundown:
Foodie Alert: Burger Battle Returns for Its 12th Year
Newark opens massive new indoor pickleball club this weekend
Junie B. hits the stage with big laughs & bigger opinions
Let’s get to it.
QUICK POLL
Above the Canal is applying for a grant, and your vote helps show we drive real local impact.
Have you ever, or could you see yourself, spending money at a local event because of something you saw in Above the Canal? |
NEWS YOU CAN USE
🍔 The Burger Battle is back and juicier than ever
The 2025 Delaware Burger Battle is throwing down at Rockford Tower on Saturday, August 23, and yes, you’ll want stretchy pants.
Your ticket gets you unlimited burgers (if you dare), drinks, and a vote in the People’s Choice showdown. You’ll taste burgers from top local spots like Kid Shelleen’s, Farmer & the Cow, Limestone BBQ, and more. Some folks try to sample every booth, but most tap out before the final round. Bonus: every bite supports the Food Bank of Delaware and the Delaware Restaurant Foundation.
This is one of Delaware’s most beloved foodie events for a reason. Delicious fun for a good cause? That’s a win-win.
🎭 Junie B. Jones hits the stage
If you’ve got a little one who thinks they run the school (or just love the sass of Junie B. Jones), this is a must-see. Griffin Theatre is bringing back everyone’s favorite first grader in Junie B.'s Essential Survival Guide to School. It’s a high-energy, 1-hour musical packed with laughs, heart, and some seriously questionable “expert” advice from Junie herself.
It runs August 22–31 and every seat is $15. Bonus: It’s totally family-friendly, so bring the whole crew. Perfect for a back-to-school treat before the chaos kicks in.
💰 Smyrna’s newest game show champ
Smyrna’s Benjamin Hunter had quite the Monday. He spun the big wheel, made it to the bonus round, and walked away from Wheel of Fortune $44,000 richer. That’s a pretty sweet payday for solving puzzles on national TV!
While he didn’t crack the final bonus, the man still won a haul big enough for a kitchen reno. WDEL has the full recap on his winning moment.
🌳 Dickey Park gets a $500K refresh
Newark just wrapped a major upgrade to Dickey Park, giving one of the city’s busiest green spaces a fresh new feel. The $500,000 project added a paved walking path, new swings and playground equipment, fitness stations, a pavilion, and habitat gardens near the basketball court.
The renovations were shaped by community input and will make the park more accessible and enjoyable for families, kids, and casual walkers alike. Bonus: the pool, courts, and community garden are still going strong.
IN BUSINESS
🏓 Newark scores a massive pickleball club
Pickleball people, your dream just came true. The Picklr is throwing a grand opening party this Saturday, August 23, and it’s your chance to play for free, win prizes, eat local, and explore Newark’s new 42,000-square-foot pickleball club. That’s 12 indoor courts, a stacked pro shop, and smart training tech that feels like it’s from the future.
Whether you’re a total newbie or have a mean backhand, this event is your shot to meet the coaches, tour the space, and maybe even win a free year of unlimited play.
🧬 Newark startup lands $1M for cancer gene-editing trials
CorriXR Therapeutics just secured a $1 million investment from the state of Delaware to advance its CRISPR-based cancer treatments. The Newark-based startup, spun out of ChristianaCare, is developing gene-editing therapies that aim to ease the side effects of chemo by targeting the genes that make treatment harder on patients.
The funding will go directly into product development, not overhead. It’s a vote of confidence that could help CorriXR attract even bigger partners. Clinical trials are next.
💼 E3 applications now open for Delaware entrepreneurs
Have a business idea or already in the thick of building one? The Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation just opened applications for its E3 program, a five-week workshop designed to help entrepreneurs grow, pivot, or level up.
The program pairs each participant with a vetted business consultant for one-on-one support, ending with a personalized report and action plan. It’s open to all stages, from early idea to scaling, and the deadline to apply is August 29.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
💧 Drought watch is officially over
After nearly a year of dry conditions, Governor Matt Meyer has lifted the state’s drought watch. Thanks to steady spring rain and an extra-soggy July, water levels across the state are back where they should be, especially in New Castle County.
The state’s water council says the timing couldn’t be better for local farmers heading into peak growing season. Still, DNREC reminds us that while water is flowing again, smart conservation habits should stick around.
THE HAPPENINGS
Multiple Days
Griffin Theatre’s Junie B.'s Essential Survival Guide to School at the Center for the Creative Arts brings the beloved first-grader back to the spotlight in this lively, family-friendly musical based on the bestselling book series. Shows run August 22–31 with evening performances Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM, and matinees Sundays at 3 PM.
Thursday
Sculpture Garden Happy Hours featuring Ty Mathis at Delaware Art Museum is back with another evening of live music, community vibes, and creative energy. Enjoy genre-defying tunes by Ty Mathis, plus a cash bar, local vendors, and Los Taquitos de Puebla food truck on Thursday, August 21 from 5–7:30 PM. Admission is free and includes entry to the museum.
Sip & Stroll at the Brandywine Zoo is back for another evening of after-hours fun with animals, music, and local flavor. Enjoy live tunes from Zach & Sam and tasty bites from Posh Platters on Thursday, August 21 from 5–7:30 PM. Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for kids (non-members), or $5 for adults and $3 for kids (members); ages 2 and under are free.
Third Thursdays on State Street in Kennett Square transforms downtown into an open-air celebration of food, music, and community. Enjoy outdoor dining from local restaurants, live entertainment, and family-friendly fun on Thursday, August 21 from 5:30–10 PM. Admission is free, and parking in the nearby garage is also free during the event.
Candlelight Comedy Club at The Candlelight Theatre brings the laughs this Wednesday with a triple-header lineup featuring Ellen Karis, Marla Schultz, and Coleman Green, hosted by Dennis Voj. Doors open at 6:30 PM, show starts at 7:30 PM. Tickets are $40 and include complimentary heavy snacks.
Charlie and The Cooltones at the Bellevue Bandshell will bring a lively mix of classic rock, funk, and blues to the stage for a fun night out. Don’t miss them on Thursday, August 21 at 6:30 PM.
Summer Concert Series: Full Carbon Getup at Glasgow Park delivers an energetic night of live music to close out your Thursday with a groove. Bring a chair and grab dinner at the farmers market before the show on Thursday, August 21 from 6:30–8 PM.
Friday
Gather in the Garden at Bellevue Community Center is a free, family-friendly evening of food, music, games, and community fun during the Bellevue Farmers Market. Expect a bonfire, vendors, a bouncy castle waterslide, and a special "Dress as Your Favorite Hero" theme for the kids. Friday, August 22, 5–7 PM.
Designer Bag Bingo at Mill Creek Fire Company offers a stylish night of fun with big prizes on the line—score a designer bag if your numbers hit! Advance tickets are just $25, and groups of six or more get reserved seating. Friday, August 22, doors at 5:30 PM, games start at 7 PM.
Friday Night Lights at Riverwalk Mini Golf is your chance to tee off under the stars with glow-in-the-dark fun. Enjoy a live DJ, glowing golf balls, and neon accessories on Friday, August 22 from 9–10:30 PM. $15 per person, advance registration required.
Drone Light Show at the Wilmington Riverfront wraps up your Friday night with a breathtaking aerial performance by over 170 illuminated drones. Don’t miss this dazzling display on Friday, August 22 from 9:30–9:45 PM.
Saturday
Chesapeake City Lion's Club Car Show at Pell Gardens: Classic car lovers, don’t miss this scenic riverside show featuring vintage vehicles, charming shops, and local eats. Saturday, August 23 from 8 AM–3 PM
Discover Winterthur at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library is a free celebration of community and creativity, packed with family-friendly fun. Expect a full day of garden walks, live music, hands-on crafts, animal encounters, art-making, and more on Saturday, August 23 from 10:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Delaware Burger Battle at Rockford Tower fires up the grills for its 12th annual showdown, where local chefs compete for burger glory and your vote decides the People’s Choice winner. One ticket gets you unlimited burger samples, drinks, and a delicious way to support two great causes. Saturday, August 23, 12–3:30 PM.
The X Band Experience at Battery Park, Delaware City brings their signature blend of funk, soul, and classic dance hits to the riverfront for a night of high-energy, crowd-friendly fun. Known for their vibrant performances, this “well-traveled” group turns every set into a dance party. Catch them live on Saturday, August 23 at 5:00 PM.
Sunday
287th Army Band at the Bellevue Bandshell closes out the weekend with a patriotic and crowd-pleasing concert by Delaware’s own Army National Guard band. Enjoy everything from Americana marches to smooth jazz on Sunday, August 24 at 6:30 PM.
FORECAST AT A GLANCE
Thursday
73 🌡️ 59 | ☁️ Cloudy | 14% | 💨 NNE 16 mph
Friday
81 🌡️ 60 | ☀️ Sunny | 3% | 💨 NNE 9 mph
Saturday
82 🌡️ 67 | ☀️ Sunny | 6% | 💨 S 11 mph
Sunday
82 🌡️ 68 | ⛅ Mostly Cloudy | 23% | 💨 S 10 mph
💧🌡️ Water temperature = 78ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.
THE NOT SO SHORTLIST
Now on Their Own Pages
🧒 For the Kids (coming soon)
Quick favor? It helps more than you think 🙏
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.
Poll: |
💬 Help us grow. Leave a review
If this newsletter makes your week better, the best way to support it is with a quick Facebook review. It helps more neighbors discover it — and keeps it going strong.
👉 Leave a quick review here: Facebook
APPRECIATE YA!
Thanks for reading. Sharing is caring, unless it’s fries. But this isn’t fries.
Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up
Want your business featured in Above the Canal? Partner with us!
Interested in promoting your music? Feature your band!
Got a live show or event I missed? Just hit reply and let me know!
If Above the Canal adds value to your day, consider supporting it.
Reply