🍻 Zoo Beers, the Ladybug Festival, and a 5-Mile Finish Line Bash Take Over the Weekend

Rise and shine, 302—Delaware’s weekend plans are looking wilder than a giraffe at happy hour. From block party beats to beer-sipping with the animals, there’s no excuse to stay in.

Your 302 Rundown:

• Matt O’Donnell calls UD grads the “disruptive generation”

• ChristianaCare steps in after Crozer Health’s closure

• Volunteer fire companies benefit from state funding fix

Let’s get to it

NEWS YOU CAN USE

🎓 Action News’ Matt O’Donnell’s Blue Hen Homecoming

UD alum and Action News anchor Matt O’Donnell returned to his old stomping grounds to deliver the keynote at the University of Delaware’s 2025 Commencement. He dubbed the grads the “disruptive generation” and urged them to embrace bold choices and stay authentic in a tech-driven world. He even joked about using ChatGPT for assignments—had it existed back in his day.

WEEKEND PREVIEW

The Ladybug Music Festival brings a full day of free, female-powered live music to downtown Wilmington, celebrating women in the music industry. Expect multiple stages, local vendors, food trucks, and an upbeat block party vibe. 5–10 PM on Market Street, Wilmington.

Brew at the Zoo returns for a wild night of beer tastings, live music, and after-hours animal encounters. Sample regional craft brews while enjoying the zoo in a whole new way—21+ only. 5:30–8:30 PM at Brandywine Zoo.

Fusion 5 Miler offers a scenic 5-mile run through Newark, starting and ending on Main Street, with trails and cheering crowds along the way. Finishers enjoy a post-race celebration at The Green Mansion Bar, complete with snacks, a complimentary drink, and awards. 9 AM start at The Hyatt, 94 E Main St, Newark.

IN BUSINESS

🏥 ChristianaCare expands into Delco

ChristianaCare is stepping in to fill the healthcare gap left by Crozer Health’s collapse. With a $50.3 million bid, they’re acquiring five outpatient centers in Glen Mills, Havertown, Broomall, and Media. The deal is pending court approval but promises to restore access to care in Delaware County.

This move complements ChristianaCare’s upcoming neighborhood hospitals in West Grove (opening summer 2025) and Aston (2026), further solidifying their presence in southeastern Pennsylvania.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS

🚒 Volunteer Fire Depts Just Got a Raise

Delaware’s volunteer fire companies just got a much-needed funding boost. A glitch in the state’s system was funneling insurance tax dollars to Wilmington instead of local departments—oops. Thanks to a new law, that money is now headed where it belongs.

Some departments are seeing jumps from under $1M to over $1.25M. That’s more gear, more training, and more support for the folks who run toward the fire.

Feels good to see the state get this one right. Here’s the scoop.

FORECAST AT A GLANCE

Thursday
75 🌡️ 62 | ⛅ | 11% | 💨 SSW 8 mph

Friday
77 🌡️ 58 | ☁️ | 43% | 💨 W 8 mph

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 60ºF
Temperature readings taken from the Atlantic Ocean in Rehoboth Beach.

WEEKNIGHT SOCIAL

Thursday

• Autumn Arch Beer Project | Team Trivia | 7 PM

• Chancery Market | Music Bingo with DJ Taven | 6—8 PM

• Grain H2O | Matt’s Classic Bingo | 7—9 PM

• Wilmington Brew Works | BoomBox Bingo | 7—9 PM

LIVE MUSIC

Thursday

• Argilla Brewing Co | Open Mic Night | 7—11 PM

• Bar XIII | The Lord of the No Pants Party w/ DJ mighty Mike Saga | 9:00 PM

• Bellefonte Brewing Company | Geoffrey Giordano | 7—10 PM

• Bellefonte Cafe | Max & Denise | 5—7 PM

• Bellefonte Cafe | The PJ’s | 8—10 PM

• Chesapeake Inn | Pour Decisions | 6—9 PM

• Christiana Pub | Karaoke Night | 9 PM — 1 AM

• Delaware Art Museum | Sculpture Garden Happy Hour featuring The Honey Badgers | 5—7:30 PM

• Deer Park Tavern | DJ Amaze & DJ Niknax | 9 PM

• Gallucio’s | Cosmic Debris | 8—11 PM

• Grain Exchange | J.D. Webb | 5—8 PM

• Homebase | Sam Seider and Abby Lee | 8–11 PM

• Hummingbird to Mars | John Hoey | 7—10 PM

• Kelly’s Logan House | Ed Dwornik & Friends | 5—8 PM

• Kelly’s Logan House | DJ Andrew Hugh | 10 PM—Closing

• Kennett Flash | Dave Mattock with Funktap | Doors: 6 PM // Show: 7 PM

• Makers Alley | Ladybug ‘She Rocks’ Beer Launch Party - Katie Dill | 5—8 PM

• Newark Concert Series | Dos Hombres | 7—8 PM

• Nomad | Vintage Band | 9 PM—12:30 AM

• Six Paupers | John Valerio | 8—11 PM

• The Reef Seafood & Steak | Karaoke with DJ Anita | 7:00 PM

• Tonic Seafood & Steak | DJ Hugh in Lounge | 4—7 PM

• Trolley Square Oyster House | Love Struck Riot | 9 PM—12 AM

• Uncle John’s BBQ Stand | Rich Goldberg | 6—8 PM

Friday

• Argilla Brewing Co | Lower Case Blues | 7 PM

• Autumn Arch Beer Project | Tyler Greene | 6—9 PM

• Bar XIII | Pink Pony Club: Toxic Pop Night | 9 PM

• Bardea Garden | Emily McNatt | 7—11 PM

• Bellefonte Cafe | Lori Citro & the Accidentals | 5—7 PM

• Bellefonte Cafe | Diamond Swing Jazz | 8—10 PM

• Catherine Rooney’s | Dear Zoe | 10 PM—1 AM

• Chancery Market | Chris & Dave Duncan | 5:30—7:30 PM

• Chesapeake Inn | Solecraft Acoustic | 4—7 PM

• Chesapeake Inn | Cherry Crush | 7—11 PM

• Crabby Dick’s Delaware City | Ride the Goat | 7—10 PM

• Deer Park Tavern | DJ Nelli | 10 PM

• Gallucio’s | Rosann & the Rock Crushers | 8 PM

• Homebase | Crickets and Cicadas | 8–11 PM

• Hummingbird to Mars | Jason O’Mara Trio | 9 PM—12 AM

• Kelly’s Logan House | Cigarettes for Breakfast // Expo // Death by Indie | 9 PM—Closing

• Kelly’s Logan House | Dj Willoughby | 10 PM—2 AM

• Kennett Flash | Comedy Songwriters Showdown Strikes Back | Doors: 7 PM // Show: 8 PM

• Kid Shelleen’s Branmar Plaza | Brian Turner | 6-9 PM

• Klondike Kate’s | DJ Joey G | 10 PM—1 AM

• Longwood Gardens | John Byrne Band | 6—8:15 PM

• Saint Georges Country Store | Nicely, Hawkins, Solberg, Martin, Atherton & Big Daddy Pop Pop | 6—9 PM

• Taco Grande | Begoña Gomez and Paul Sedacca | 5—7 PM

• The Carriage House | Chorduroy Duo | Doors 5 PM // Music 6 PM

• The Creamery Kennett Square | 4th Base | 7—10 PM

• The Gap Pub & Grill | Flight 24 | 7—10 PM

• The Opulent | DJ O North | 7—11 PM

• The Reef Seafood & Steak | Little Sister | 8 PM

• Tonic Seafood & Steak | James West | 8—11 PM

• Trolley Square Oyster House | AJ Jesson | 9 PM—12 AM

• Twisted Irons Craft Brewing | John and John | 7 PM

• Uncle John’s BBQ Stand | Just Roses | 6—8 PM

• Wilmington Brew Works | The Queen Presents: Samuel Mousley | 6:30 PM—9 PM

• Zollie’s | Kick Off The Weekend at Zollies Live Jazz | 6:30—9 PM

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Editor’s note: This post was updated to remove an event that was incorrectly listed for this weekend.