Happy almost 4th! Here's the what, the how, and the DO, on the red, the white and the blue!

Rehoboth Beach gets the party started on Sunday, July 2 with music at the bandstand followed by fireworks. For those of you attending for the first time, please know that this is our busiest traffic of the year, so plan accordingly!

Bethany Beach postponed its fireworks till fall (due to beach replenishment), but still plans a parade through downtown and a concert at the bandstand on Tuesday, July 4.

Lewes kicks off with an Independence day boat parade followed by the infamous Doo-Dah parade, then fireworks on Tuesday, July 4. Find more details here. Harbour will host a luncheon and party from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. for patrons to watch the decorated boat parade from its canal front deck. The restaurant is closed to the public and only 60 tickets will be sold. All profits benefit the Go Fourth Lewes fireworks fund. Dogfish Inn will host a drop-in event from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. with cocktails and ales - all proceeds again going to Go Fourth Lewes. 

Dewey Beach fireworks will launch from a barge in the bay in front of Northbeach (125 McKinley Street) around 9:30pm on Tuesday, July 4.

Milton's Independence Day Party, aka Bring Mayberry Back to Milton, will take place 10-4, on July 4, in the Milton Memorial Park.

Wiener Kings is now running a hot dog pontoon boat, complete with a floating grill; selling hot dogs, burgers, sausages, fries, nachos, candy and drinks.

Dewey Eat is now open, offering slow-roasted meats, infused margaritas, seafood and vegetarian options. The “Eat” part of the name stands for egg rolls and tacos, the restaurant’s specialties. Most popular items are the brisket tacos and the buffalo chicken egg rolls. The new restaurant is located next to Woody's. 

Also in Dewey is the new Sandy Pony Donuts, featuring the classics plus toppings like bacon, Oreos and pretzels. The menu includes hot and iced brews, açaí bowls, smoothies and bubble tea in the space formerly occupied by Fat Vinny’s. Have you seen the Dewey location of the Coffee Mill? It's gorgeous and includes a roof top deck!

Lydia's Grab & Go Bistro is open at one end of 33 Baltimore Ave shops and The Green Truck Shop offering gifts, jewelry and home decor, is now open at the other! From the pix on Lydia's IG page - everything looks delicious!

Downtown Blues, the Bethany Blues location in Rehoboth, is open and ready! You won't recognize the original Nicola's space on First Avenue. Open seven days a week. (Check out the single barrel flights of bourbon!)

Congrats to Cultured Pearl on their 30th anniversary! We love you guys! (And your food ROCKS!!)

The 63rd Annual Lewes Antiques Show & Sale will take place July 7 and 8 at Bethel United Methodist Church in Lewes.

Jab & Flow is now open in Tanger Seaside with all your boxing and yoga essentials. Thanks Buzz reader, Heather N, for the scoop!

Locals and long time beach goers know you can't get ketchup with Thrasher's fries, which are traditionally served with vinegar. Newbies go to great lengths trying to purchase or steal packets from nearby eateries. Now a Boardwalk claw machine offers a chance to grab the magic red sauce. Too funny!

First DC, then Kennebunkport, Maine, and now Bethany Beach. Via Sophia by the Sea (inside the Ocean Suites Residence Inn) offers seafood and classic Italian dishes along with gorgeous ocean views.

History will come alive on July 7th at 4:30 p.m. when Reverend Robert W. Todd, the founder of Rehoboth Beach, will 'appear' at the Museum to tell the story of Rehoboth’s beginning as a Methodist Episcopal Camp Meeting.

Back in the 40s, the place to see and be seen was the Rehoboth-Indian Beach Club. No photos exist – only postcards showing this playground for the elite. Which is what makes this new book, so exciting! Greetings from Rehoboth Beach, Postcards from the Collection of The Rehoboth Beach Museum, is now available for purchase. Featuring some of the best postcards from the museum’s collection, the book offers a glimpse into past events, people and places where photos are often unavailable. 

The Twin Branch Winery opened April 28 in Milton, adding to quite the list on the Delaware Wine Trail. Our little state also has close to 40 craft breweries, with NINE more in the works! Stay tuned.

By the time you read this, Oliver Whitby will be open (near FINS on Rehoboth Ave). I'm sure the owner wonders who the stalker is that keeps leaving handprints on his front window when she peeks in! After reading the article by Chris Flood in the Cape Gazette - I can't wait!

Shock Vinyl in Milford has greatly expanded their inventory by accepting customer's collections on consignment. Read more here.

The Rehoboth Foodie reports there will be a new bakery in Lewes - La Baguette. He also said the new building labeled "The Chef's Table" adjacent to the Rehoboth Touch of Italy will house the TOI bakery (formerly in Five Points), overflow seating and an event space.

Surf Bagel opened a fourth location in Long Neck in the Taormina Square Shopping Center.

All Saints’ Church & St. George’s Chapel thrift shop is opening a second location in the former Beebe thrift shop space in Midway Shopping Center. When they expand, they will rebrand to The Parish Thrift Shop. Did you know there is a list of all the area thrift stores on the Local Buzz website? Click here and go to Nifty Thrifty!

Love to read? Then of course you know all about the fabulous Browseabout, the incredible Biblion, and the amazing Bethany Beach Books. BUT, do you know about Turning Pages Book Lounge in Ocean View? The Dollar Book Shuffle in Laurel? Or The Buzzed Word - a bookstore and wine bar in Ocean City? I see a bibliophile bus tour in our future!

A replica Lewes railroad passenger station is being built next to the Lewes library that will mimic the original station of the early 1900s. Also on site is a restored 1917 caboose – the first of three cars (including a historic Wilmington & Western engine) to be displayed on the track between the Library and the Rollins Community Center. 

The Clear Space Late Night Series returns! Weekends only, June 30 – Sept 3, check out shows like: Just The Tip cabaret, Delaware Comedy Theatre's Late-R-Night Comedy or Laughter at the Beach with Frank Vignola.

Dimitra Yoga classes are back on the beach in Lewes and Rehoboth. These classes are good for all levels of experience and visitors are welcome!

The official state dog of Delaware is now a rescue! Woo hooooooooo!

Did you know that Delaware is the first no-kill state in the country with a 95% release rate - one of the highest in the nation! Leading the way is the Brandywine Valley SPCA’s Animal Rescue Center in the former Safe Haven space in Georgetown. The center focuses on rescue and rehabilitation for dogs needing extra support to reach adoption, including cruelty survivors, disaster victims, newborns and those at risk of euthanasia at other shelters. Read lots more here!

We now have Buzz merch! Pick one of two designs, then choose from twenty different tee shirts, hats and totes. Get Buzzed!

For years I have taken the most incredible classes through the Rehoboth Beach Writers Guild, and am in the process of finishing a novel. Now I'm learning the business side of becoming an author (query letters, agents, publishers and more). If that interests you, please feel free to join me as I venture down that rabbit hole. You can follow my IG page or check out my writer's website. Write on!

Don't forget to check out the Buzz FB page to catch what's happening between issues.