Three Days Of Music And Wildflowers

☀️ Rise and Shine, 302. If you haven't opened the windows yet this year, today's the day. That house smell is real and it's not going anywhere on its own.

Your 302 Rundown:

Let’s get to it

There’s beauty around every turn at Winterthur! Nestled in the rolling hills of the Brandywine Valley, Winterthur is a historic estate on par with some of the most famous in the country.

Discover two centuries of American craftsmanship on tours of the former du Pont family mansion and on view in exhibition galleries.

Explore the 60-acre naturalized “wild garden,” dubbed one of “the most beautiful gardens in America” by Forbes magazine. Paths lead from the garden—world-renowned for its striking succession of seasonal blooms—to open meadows, across waterways, and through woodland hiking trails on this 1,000-acre country estate.

Delight in the award-winning children’s garden, Enchanted Woods, featuring a Giant Bird’s Nest, Faerie Cottage, Upside-down Treehouse, and more.

For details on daily programs, tour offerings in the house and garden, special exhibitions, plus shopping, dining, and more, visit winterthur.org. 

The Pit has been scooping sundaes since 1956, and every single one on the menu is named after something very specific. The question is: do you know what?

Young anglers are getting ready to cast their lines as the Delaware Natural Resources Police hosts its fortieth annual youth fishing tournament. The free event takes place on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at three freshwater public ponds across the state, including Lums Pond in New Castle County.

The competition is open to kids ages four through fifteen. Onsite weighmasters will tally up the catches to crown county winners and age group champions. One participant will also take home the title of overall state winner.

Families looking to participate must complete pre-registration by Friday, May 29. The overall state champion will receive their trophy at the Delaware State Fair in July.

The Hagley Museum and Library has a new leader taking the helm. Hillary Olson will step into the chief executive role, replacing Jill MacKenzie, who is retiring after a 44-year career with the institution.

Olson comes to Delaware from New York, where she recently served as president and chief executive of the Rochester Museum and Science Center. Her resume also includes leadership stints at the Franklin Institute, the Milwaukee Public Museum, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and the Griffith Observatory. She holds a master's degree in museum leadership from Bank Street College.

She will officially take over operations at the historic property in June.

New Castle County's retail spaces are seeing higher vacancy rates than the Greater Philadelphia area, with a nearly 10% rate in the first quarter. Concord Pike's 17.6% vacancy rate, influenced by Concord Mall's empty spaces, contributes significantly to this figure. The mall's long-vacant Sears location is a notable factor.

Meanwhile, the Christiana retail hub is faring better with a 7% vacancy rate, although it faces the upcoming loss of Nordstrom. Despite these vacancies, CBRE notes strong retailer demand and investor interest, with a shift toward experiential and service-driven concepts like indoor sports and playgrounds.

As healthcare and fitness centers expand into former retail spaces, the Greater Philadelphia area continues to evolve its retail landscape to align with current lifestyles. These changes reflect a broader trend of adapting retail environments to meet new consumer habits.

Tucked into Sunset Meadows, 522 Amanda Drive offers over 3,200 square feet of bright, well-designed living in a location that keeps everything within reach.

A two-story foyer with a turned staircase sets the tone, opening to sunlit formal spaces and a warm, inviting family room anchored by a gas fireplace. The kitchen blends function and flow with granite countertops, abundant cabinetry, and a casual dining area that connects seamlessly to the backyard.

Upstairs, the primary suite feels like a true retreat, complete with a renovated bath, soaking tub, and oversized walk-in closet. Three additional bedrooms provide flexibility for guests, work, or everyday living.

The finished basement adds another layer, with a wet bar, projector, and space for game days or quiet nights in.

See full listing details and photos, and reach out if you want help making a move on it.

A House committee in Dover heard testimony Tuesday on a bill that would let people experiencing homelessness rest, sleep, eat, and store belongings in public spaces, as long as no accessible indoor shelter is available. State Rep. Sophie Phillips of Bear is the bill's sponsor.

Some local governments pushed back, citing a provision that waives sovereign immunity and opens them to civil rights lawsuits. Rep. Jeffrey Spiegelman said the bill would make it harder to enforce loitering and panhandling rules, while Phillips said police would still be able to enforce criminal law and trespassing.

Phillips plans to introduce an amendment clarifying indoor shelter requirements and public space definitions. It is not yet clear whether the bill has enough votes to clear committee.

Delaware's plan to build a new container terminal at the Port of Wilmington just got a lot more expensive. Secretary of State Charuni Patibanda-Sanchez told the port's oversight board Monday that the Edgemoor project now carries a $669 million price tag, up from earlier estimates, with a $185 million funding gap still unresolved between the state and private operator Enstructure.

Spotlight Delaware found that the board voted unanimously to reaffirm its commitment to the project, even without settling who covers the shortfall. Patibanda-Sanchez said negotiations with Enstructure over the remaining costs would happen quickly and in good faith.

The project has faced lawsuits from competing ports, community opposition in the Edgemoor area, and federal permitting hurdles. The Army Corps of Engineers reissued contested dredging permits earlier this month, clearing one obstacle as cost talks get underway.

Yorklyn residents are considering legal action to stop the construction of luxury townhomes in the Auburn Valley redevelopment district. According to Spotlight Delaware, the community recently met to discuss suing the developers or attempting to purchase the land before building begins.

The state environmental agency previously approved the 130-home project without the standard county land use process. Neighbors have raised concerns about potential impacts on local well water and traffic congestion. The state maintains that the finalized developments have the legal right to proceed.

Construction on the Quarry Walk phase is scheduled to start this month.

2026 Kennett Jazz & Funk Fest Combo at Kennett Flash. A complete weekend of live jazz and funk performances. The community music festival gathers a variety of talented musicians for a full schedule of upbeat rhythms, deep grooves, and smooth melodies. Friday through Sunday.

Wildflower Weekend at Mt. Cuba Center. Native spring blooms hit their peak during this three-day celebration, with live music from Cecilia Grace and Keith Kenny, gardening activities, family programming, and food trucks. Friday through Sunday.

City of Wilmington Open Mic Night at The Queen Wilmington. Host Blake the Brain gives local performers just five minutes each to show off their skills and compete for a $1,000 top prize. This all-ages community showcase highlights the best rising talent in the city. Thursday at 7:00 PM.

The Still Not Okay Tour at The Queen Wilmington. Turtle Smash, Fake Happy, and The Dirty Little Rejects lead an all-ages tribute to nostalgic emo icons in the Main Hall, inviting attendees to sing along to throwback hits and unpack their feelings through sound. Thursday at 8:00 PM.

Fourth Friday Art on the Town at New Castle Historical Society. Celebrate local creativity with a town-wide evening featuring artists and businesses. Wander through exhibits and discover unique works in a charming historical setting. Friday at 5-8 PM.

Gary Gulman: Grandiloquent at The Baby Grand. Comedian Gary Gulman tackles insecurity, empathy, and self-acceptance in a new show exploring how a thoughtful boy used humor to navigate his parents' blunders. Friday at 8 PM.

2026 Annual Trout Rodeo at Anson B Nixon Park. Hundreds of anglers will gather around ponds stocked with over 550 trout to compete for trophies across kid and adult divisions. Spectators can cheer on the participants while enjoying breakfast fare from Letty's Tavern. Saturday at 8 AM.

Art Fest at Town of Whitehall. Discover a vibrant celebration of local creativity with handmade artwork and goods from talented artists and vendors. Enjoy live music, delicious food trucks, and join the "Colors of Love" community art project for a hands-on experience. Saturday at 10 AM-2 PM.

Drag Brunch (18+) at The Queen Wilmington. Miss Troy and a cast of the region's fiercest drag queens serve up performances inspired by your favorite Netflix hits, all paired with a brunch buffet and specialty cocktails. Doors open at 10:30 AM for this 18+ show on Saturday at 11:30 AM.

The Grand Presents Bored Teachers: "Is It Friday Yet?!" Comedy Tour at Copeland Hall. Get ready for a night of laughter with the world's funniest teacher-comedians sharing their hilarious classroom confessions. Saturday at 7:30 PM.

Angry Young Band at The Queen Wilmington. This seven-piece Philadelphia tribute group captures the live energy of classic Billy Joel tours by playing smash hits for an all ages crowd. Fans will hear a career-spanning set of favorites plus a complete performance of Turnstiles to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the landmark album. Saturday at 8:00 PM.

Bronwyn Keith-Hynes & Sug Daniels at The Queen Wilmington. Enjoy an evening with Grammy-winning fiddler Bronwyn Keith-Hynes as she showcases her vocal talents for the first time on her latest album. Sug Daniels joins the lineup for a night of captivating music. Saturday at 8 PM.

The 20th Annual Hometown Heroes Homey Awards at The Queen Wilmington. Often dubbed the biggest night in local music, this all-ages celebration features live performances, award presentations, and a chance to mingle with top original artists from across the Delaware Valley. Sunday at 7:00 PM.

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

Thursday

78 🌡️ 54 | ☀️ Sunny | 3% | 💨 NW 5 to 10 mph

Friday

71 🌡️ 49 | 🌤️ Mostly Sunny | 10% | 💨 E 0 to 5 mph

Saturday

54 🌡️ 45 | 🌧️ Rain Showers | 75% | 💨 E 5 to 10 mph

Sunday

61 🌡️ 44 | 🌧️ Rain Showers Likely | 56% | 💨 NE 5 to 10 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 52ºF Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

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