Fire & Ice Festival Raises Record $53,227 for Local Organizations

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce announced that the 2026 Fire & Ice Festival raised a record $53,227 during a check presentation at its Feb. 26 Business After Hours event at The Salted Rim Margarita Bar & Grille in Millville. (Photo courtesy of Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce.)

The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce announced that the 2026 Fire & Ice Festival raised a record $53,227 in charitable contributions, marking the highest total in the event’s history.

The fundraising milestone was shared during the Chamber’s February Business After Hours event, held Feb. 26 at The Salted Rim Margarita Bar & Grille in Millville. Chamber members, sponsors and nonprofit beneficiaries attended the check presentation ceremony.

Proceeds from the 2026 festival will benefit several organizations across the Quiet Resorts region, including Beebe Healthcare South Coastal Emergency Department and Cancer Center, Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Delaware State Parks, Historic Village in Ocean View, John M. Clayton Elementary School PTO, Lord Baltimore Elementary School, Mason Dixon VFW Post 7234, Millville Volunteer Fire Company, Meals on Wheels (CHEER Inc.), Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation, Roxana Volunteer Fire Company, Santa’s Letters and Sussex County Habitat for Humanity.

According to the Chamber, 105 sponsors and partners, along with 39 volunteers and all eight Quiet Resorts towns, contributed to the success of this year’s festival.

The 2026 theme, “In the First State,” highlighted Delaware’s role in American history and served as the kickoff to a year-long celebration of the state’s 250th anniversary. The festival featured new events and nearly 70,000 pounds of ice sculptures recognizing Delaware’s First State heritage.

Organizers reported that the 2026 festival invested $43,000 locally and contributed to a 3.3% average increase in out-of-market visitation compared to 2025 in the host towns of Bethany Beach, Frankford, Millville and Ocean View.

The 10th annual Fire & Ice Festival is scheduled for Jan. 29–31, 2027.