AGP Executive Report

Getting Around: A new lane beneath the Nassau Bridge connects Janice Road and Nassau Road, giving drivers an alternative to Route 1 crossovers; both lanes are expected to open around mid-January, weather permitting. Halloween Weekend: Delaware communities are hosting fall festivals, family activities and haunted attractions, while the Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival opens Sunday. Sports Tourism: A $10 million makeover has turned the former Kirkwood Sports Complex into Sprinturf Performance Park, with new lighted turf fields aimed at attracting tournaments and visitors. Coastal Discoveries: The retired Twin Capes ferry is now part of an offshore artificial reef that attracts anglers and divers, and Slaughter Beach’s rubbery branching clumps offer a closer look at colonies of tiny bryozoans.

Halloween Weekend: Delaware has events across the state Oct. 30–Nov. 1, from family trick-or-treating and Frightland to live music and a Sunday performance by Suzanne Vega in Wilmington. Sports Tourism: The former Kirkwood Sports Complex in New Castle is now Sprinturf Performance Park after a $10 million upgrade, including four new lighted turf fields aimed at attracting tournaments and visitor spending. Beach Heritage: Rehoboth Beach unveiled a historic marker at Poodle Beach, recognizing its longstanding importance to the LGBTQ+ community. Getting Around: DART plans upgrades to the Rehoboth Park & Ride, while DelDOT is planning Route 1 crossover changes near Milford. Arts & Outdoors: The Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival opens Nov. 1, and the Coastal Delaware Running Festival donated $10,400 to support Delaware Seashore State Parks.

Sports Tourism: The former Kirkwood Soccer Complex has reopened as Sprinturf Performance Park, with four lighted synthetic-turf fields and expanded parking. The upgrades aim to attract tournaments and boost hotel stays and restaurant visits. Beach History: Rehoboth Beach unveiled a historic marker at Poodle Beach, recognizing its importance to the LGBTQ+ community since the 1930s. Getting Around: DART is planning an $8 million upgrade to the Rehoboth Park and Ride, adding indoor seating, year-round restrooms and better accessibility. Road Alert: DelDOT plans Route 1 crossover changes near Milford Nov. 8–10, including closures and new turning restrictions. What’s On: The Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival opens Sunday, Nov. 1.

Coastal Transit: DART is proposing an $8 million upgrade to Rehoboth’s aging Park and Ride, adding indoor seating, year-round bathrooms and improved accessibility. Road Alert: DelDOT plans overnight crossover closures and turning changes along Route 1 near Milford Nov. 8–10; drivers should follow new signs. Beach Update: Crews have removed the large navigation buoys washed ashore during September’s nor’easter. Delaware also reports a productive season for beach-nesting birds, aided by protective fencing. Arts & Events: The Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival runs Nov. 1–8, with more than 110 films from over 32 countries. Halloween weekend options include Frightland in Middletown and a free music festival in Wilmington. Sussex Growth: Lewes officials are considering limited height changes for some areas, while a proposed pickleball complex near Lewes drew less neighbor opposition after negotiations.

Route 1 Update: DelDOT plans overnight crossover and turning changes near Milford on Nov. 8–10. Drivers should watch for new signs and closures. Coastal Access: A new lane under Nassau Bridge is set to open Friday, and DART is planning a workshop on the Rehoboth transit center. Delaware Beaches: Crews removed two storm-stranded navigation buoys from Dewey Beach and Cape Henlopen. Rehoboth Beach’s International Film Festival opens Sunday, while Poodle Beach has received a state historical marker. Coastal Resilience: Lewes officials are weighing a seven-inch increase to flood-planning criteria as sea-level projections rise. Wildlife: DNREC reports successful nesting seasons for piping plovers and least terns, supporting Delaware’s coastal habitats.

Coastal Planning: Lewes officials are weighing higher flood-planning benchmarks as updated projections raise concerns about sea-level rise and vulnerable electrical infrastructure. Getting Around: DART is hosting a workshop on the Rehoboth transit center, while a new lane beneath the Nassau Bridge is set to open Friday. Fall Events: Rehoboth’s international film festival runs Nov. 1–8, with more than 113 films and events around the coast; the Sea Witch parade brings Halloween crowds to town Oct. 31. Beach Heritage & Wildlife: Rehoboth’s Poodle Beach has received a state historical marker, and DNREC reports a successful nesting season for endangered beach birds.

Coastal Transit: DART will show plans for improvements at the Rehoboth Transit Center at a public workshop in Lewes today, Oct. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. Film Festival: The Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival runs Nov. 1–8, with more than 113 films, filmmaker events and screenings from around the world. Beach Access: One lane beneath the Nassau Bridge near Lewes opens Friday, Oct. 30, providing eastbound access toward Nassau Road; the westbound lane remains closed until January. Explore the Bayshore: A proposed Delaware Bayshore Byway plan maps 24 walking and biking itineraries along the 100-mile route, connecting visitors with local history and nature.

Coastal Cinema: The Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival runs Nov. 1–8, bringing more than 113 films from 32-plus countries, filmmaker events and screenings to the coast. Getting Around: DART will show plans for Rehoboth Transit Center improvements at a public workshop in Lewes on Oct. 28, from 4 to 6 p.m. One lane beneath the Nassau Bridge near Lewes is set to open Oct. 30; the westbound lane remains closed until January. Outdoor Delaware: A proposed Delaware Bayshore Byway plan maps 24 walking and biking itineraries along a 100-mile route from New Castle County to Milton and Broadkill Beach. Wildlife Watch: DNREC reports 2026 nesting gains for beach birds, including a record 10 piping plover pairs at Cape Henlopen since monitoring began in 1989 and a rise in least tern pairs from 127 to 208.

Coastal Travel: A new lane beneath the Nassau Bridge is set to open Friday, giving drivers another way to cross Route 1 without using the highway. DelDOT expects both directions beneath the bridge to open by mid-January. Rehoboth History: Poodle Beach, a longtime gathering place for LGBTQ visitors, will receive a state historical marker Thursday near the South Boardwalk. Fall Events: Rehoboth Beach’s Sea Witch festivities bring Halloween crowds this weekend, followed by the International Film Festival, Nov. 1–8. Despite its name, the festival’s main screenings are in Lewes.

Coastal Culture: The Rehoboth Beach International Film Festival runs Nov. 1–8, with its main screenings in Lewes. Visitors can plan around venues including the Lewes Public Library and Dartmouth Drive. Fall Events: Rehoboth’s 36th annual Sea Witch parade brought another seasonal draw to the coast. Sussex Growth: Closely watched county council races are putting development, infrastructure and affordable housing in focus—decisions that will help shape the future of Delaware’s fast-growing beach region.

Fall Wildlife: Bird and monarch migration is underway along the Chesapeake, making nearby refuges a seasonal outing for nature watchers. Coastal Events: Rehoboth Beach’s 36th annual Sea Witch parade anchored a busy fall weekend, alongside 5Ks and other seasonal events. Autumn Stops: Delaware’s pumpkin season offers farm visits from Hockessin to the beaches, while the Lighthouse Challenge highlights the state’s coastal history. Beach Access: Bethany Beach is taking steps to address access concerns for visitors.

Rehoboth Beach: Thousands gathered for the Sea Witch Festival this weekend, bringing costumes and Halloween festivities to the coast; Sunday’s program included a costumed-dog parade. Golf Tourism: Delaware won its third straight Lady Blue Hen Invitational at Rehoboth Beach Country Club, finishing 11 strokes ahead of Harvard and Dartmouth. Newark Event: More than 2,300 runners joined the Deer Park Goes Pink 5K, which has raised over $200,000 for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition. Kent County Growth: A 7-Eleven with 12 fueling positions is under construction at Asbury Square, alongside the SpringHill Suites and near DE Turf; it’s expected to open in spring 2027.

Sea Witch Weekend: Rehoboth Beach’s festival wraps up Sunday with a costumed-dog parade at 1 p.m.; registration starts at noon, and outdoor events are weather-dependent. Thousands lined the avenue for Saturday’s parade. Kent County Development: A 7-Eleven with 12 fuel pumps is under construction at Asbury Square, across Route 1 from DE Turf. The project is aiming to open in spring 2027, adding to a development that already includes a SpringHill Suites hotel. Beach Access: Bethany Beach has ordered portable stairs to restore access where the September nor’easter damaged dune crossings. Several access points are open, and the town may order more stairs if the first set works.

Sea Witch Weekend: Rehoboth Beach’s festival runs through Sunday, with its costume parade, live entertainment, vendors and family activities drawing visitors downtown. Beach Access: Bethany Beach has ordered portable stairs after the September nor’easter damaged dune crossings; access has reopened at several streets, with more steps possible if the first set works. Nature Tourism: A 181-acre preserve along the Nanticoke River and Wright Creek is now permanently protected, linking forests and wetlands across the Delaware-Maryland border. Sports Tourism: The University of Delaware women’s golf invitational brings 11 teams to Rehoboth Beach Country Club this weekend, with spectators welcome. Kent County Development: A 7-Eleven and fuel station is under construction at Asbury Square near DE Turf, adding to a growing development anchored by a Marriott hotel; the store is expected to open in spring 2027.

Beach Access: Bethany Beach has ordered portable stairs to restore access where September’s nor’easter damaged dune crossings. Several streets are already open, and the town may order more stairs if the first set works. Weekend Events: Rehoboth Beach’s Sea Witch Festival brings parades, live entertainment, shopping and family activities through Sunday, drawing visitors from across the Mid-Atlantic. Nature & Conservation: Partners have permanently protected 181 acres of forest and wetlands along the Nanticoke River and Wright Creek, including land in Sussex County. Coastal History: At Fenwick Island State Park, a recent campfire talk shared stories of Native American life and pirates along the coast.

Beach Access: Bethany Beach has ordered a portable staircase to restore access where September’s nor’easter damaged dune crossings. The town may buy more if the first set holds up; officials warn another major storm could send waves to the boardwalk. Getting Around: Work has resumed at Route 1 and Holland Glade Road north of Rehoboth Beach. The project is expected to finish by month’s end, allowing turns that should ease access to nearby businesses and neighborhoods. Coastal Conditions: Flooding and rough surf are expected to ease as Subtropical Storm Josephine moves offshore, though back-bay communities may still see minor flooding and beach erosion. Fall Visits: Rehoboth Beach is preparing for the Sea Witch Festival, while the Bethany Beach nature center is set to be managed by the Delaware Nature Society. Rehoboth’s Cinema Art Theater is also drawing filmgoers with adventurous screenings and discussions.