Fireworks and so forth to celebrate Independence Day in Del.

Independence Day fireworks over Rehoboth Beach in 2023. Carl Wilson Jr. photo, courtesy of Rehoboth Beach.

Most Delaware places known for Fourth of July fireworks and other Independence Day activities have announced their plans. Organizers consistently ask for people to arrive early and leave late, and the Delaware Department of Transportation warns that many events close roads, too. In other words, traffic could be bad.

Organizers also often ask for contributions to support the celebrations. Go Fourth Lewes, for instance, says the fireworks cost $85,000.

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Dusk is about 9:05 p.m. on Thursday, the Fourth, but fireworks could start as late as 9:30. Here’s a lineup:

Fireworks on (or near) the Fourth

Bethany Beach calls its holiday celebration “our biggest party of the year.” The fun starts with a 5K run/walk on June 30. On the Fourth, there’s a parade at noon featuring floats (the theme is “Celebrating 40 years”), bands, motor vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. Parade awards will be announced at the bandstand at 7:15 p.m., followed by a concert by The 1974 at 7:30 and the fireworks at dusk.

Dewey Beach gets fireworks on the Fourth, thanks to businessman Alex Pires.

The Dover Fourth of July Celebration stars at 10 a.m. with working tours of the First State Heritage park, with the declaration read at 2 p.m., near the spot where the document was first read in 1776. Artisans and food vendors will be operating by 4 p.m. A parade starts at 6 p.m. on Hazel Street, and it heads south on State Street and terminates at Water Street. It’s organized by American Legion Walter L. Fox Post No. 2. Fireworks are at 9:15 p.m.

The Hockessin Fourth of July Festival and Fireworks include neighborhood relays in the morning, a parade in the afternoon and the fireworks at dusk on July 4. The fireworks can be seen all over Hockessin, the website says, with the main viewing from Swift Park, Piedmont Baseball Fields, Hockessin Library and Artesian Soccer Fields.

Laurel’s 30th annual 4th of July Celebration is mostly at Janosik Park on Front Street. Events includes a car and truck show 4-8 p.m., a cornhole tournament at 5:30 p.m., live bands, a parade at 7 p.m (Evergreen Drive, Central Avenue, Market Street, Maryland Avenue) and fireworks at dusk.

Lewes’ Go Fourth fireworks starts at dusk on July 4. There are “events all day long, all run by different groups of volunteers,” Go Fourth Lewes says. Old-fashioned children’s games run 9 a.m. to noon on Second Street. The 28th annual July 4th Celebration and Car Show runs noon to 3 p.m. at Trinity Faith Christian Center, 15516 New Road. The decorated boat parade on the canal departs at 1:30 p.m. from the inlet and makes its way to the bridge. Winners will be announced at the Overfalls at 3:30. It’s organized by the Overfalls and the Lewes-Rehoboth Beach Rotary Club and sponsored by the Freedom Boat Club. The Doo-Dah Parade leaves from Manila Avenue “when organizers are ready to Doo-Dah … usually in the 4:30ish to 5 time frame.”

Newark’s Liberty Day and Fourth of July Fireworks runs 6-10 p.m. July 4 at the University of Delaware athletic complex on South College Avenue.

Rehoboth Beach’s fireworks are set to begin around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, July 6. The 20-minute display will be visible along the beach and boardwalk. Downtown traffic restrictions start at 6 p.m. The Funsters will perform at the bandstand beginning at 8 and again after the fireworks display.

The Smyrna/Clayton July 4th Foundation is the host of Delaware’s oldest-running fireworks, at dusk on July 4, across from Smyrna High, with a parade at 9:30 that morning.

Wilmington hosts fireworks at 9:30 p.m. on July 4, synchronized to music, with the good viewing locations in Tubman-Garrett Park and other Riverfront locations. Family activities start at 2 p.m. Rain date is July 5 for fireworks only. The Wilmington Riverfront calendar needs to be updated for this year.

Fireworks at other times

The Millsboro Chamber of Commerce sponsors Stars & Stripes at the Millsboro Little League fields, starting at 6 p.m. June 29. Games and vendors precede the fireworks at dusk. The rain date is June 30.

The Wilmington Blue Rocks sponsors fireworks after Friday home games. This year, that includes July 12, July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 16 and Aug. 30, plus Tuesday, July 2; Wednesday, July 3; and Sunday, Sept. 1.

Drone show

The Delaware Park Casino’s Delaware Handicap Festival of Racing will offer free admission to all ages July 6 & 7 and feature racing, live entertainment, food trucks, and a patriotic drone light show on Saturday, July 6 approximately 9:15 p.m. An alternative to fireworks, the show eliminates noise which means less stress on the horses, ss well as neighboring pets and even children who are sensitive to such loud sounds. The 100 drones will be synchronized to music and will be viewable from the grandstands.