Caesar Rodney Institute Brings Civic-Education Series to Sussex County to Kick-Off 250th Anniversary Celebration

Caesar Rodney Institute celebrates 250 years of American independence with history, policy, and community dialogue on Thursday, Oct 23rd.

REHOBOTH BEACH, Del. — The Caesar Rodney Institute (CRI) will continue its CaesarRodney250: The Midnight Ride that Made a Nation civic-education series on Thursday, October 23, at the Boardwalk Plaza Hotel in Rehoboth Beach.

The evening program — set in the oceanfront Victoria’s Restaurant — will blend Delaware history, live theater, and public policy discussion as part of CRI’s year-long initiative honoring the nation’s upcoming Semiquincentennial in 2026.

Attendees will gather beginning at 5:30 p.m. for networking and dinner, followed by a live performance of “Caesar Rodney & Friends,” a theatrical retelling of one of Delaware’s most defining moments — Rodney’s dramatic overnight ride to Philadelphia on July 1–2, 1776.

Suffering from asthma and skin cancer, Rodney rode 80 miles through a thunderstorm from Dover to Independence Hall to break a deadlock among Delaware’s delegates and cast the deciding vote for American independence. His courageous journey ensured Delaware’s support for the Declaration of Independence and cemented his place among the state’s most revered patriots.

Following the performance, WDEL radio host Rick Jensen will moderate a policy discussion with CRI experts exploring Delaware’s most pressing issues, including energy, education, healthcare, and the economy.

Jensen, a veteran broadcaster and host of The Rick Jensen Show on WDEL 101.7 FM and 1150 AM, is one of Delaware’s best-known voices in talk radio. His weekday program — recognized with multiple awards from the Philadelphia Region Society of Professional Journalists and the Associated Press — features conversations on local policy, civic engagement, and current affairs. A University of Missouri graduate, Jensen has interviewed national and state leaders across the political spectrum and is known for his fair but probing style, bringing an informed and engaging perspective to complex public-policy issues.

Tickets for the event are $60 for non-members and $40 for CRI members. Registration is available through the Caesar Rodney Institute’s website.

This fall’s event is part of CaesarRodney250, CRI’s broader civic education series,

designed to connect the lessons of the American founding with the challenges facing Delaware’s future. As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of independence, CRI leaders say they hope to inspire renewed commitment to civic responsibility, economic freedom, and informed citizenship.

The nonprofit is also encouraging community participation through membership, intending to reach 250 members by July 4, 2026. Membership supports CRI’s mission to provide independent, fact-based research and promote policies that protect freedom and opportunity across the state.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit CaesarRodney.org.