The greater Ocean City, Maryland-Delaware Shore region of the Eastern Shore promises many exciting events for the coming weekend. You have Ocean City’s famous Sunfest—one of the largest outdoor festivals around, making its 49th annual return on Thursday, October 24, and running through Sunday, October 27. The Boardwalk scene surrounding Rehoboth Beach to the north will also be abuzz with action as the 34th annual Sea Witch Festival gets underway on Friday, October 25, running through Saturday, October 26.
Not to be overlooked, however, is another happy Halloween-themed endeavor to howl about. It’s the annual Wags, Witches, & Warlocks Festival—a celebration that’s truly for the dogs…and everyone else in the family, too.
Held in the heart of Bethany Beach, Delaware on Saturday, October 26, the much-beloved fall festival promises a full day of ongoing family-friendly follies and activities. Highlights include Halloween crafts and activities, a storefront decorating contest, and everyone’s favorite Halloween Parade/Costume Contest combo.
You’re more than welcome to come out and enjoy this event with family and friends or even solo. No requirements dictate you be a dog owner to attend. Even so, it may be of interest to you to know that onsite pet adoptions will be ongoing throughout the festival. This may be the perfect opportunity to consider extending your family with a new fur-baby addition.
Kicking off the Wags, Witches, & Warlocks Festival first thing Saturday morning will be Puppy Yoga at 8 a.m. Puppy Yoga will be held on location at St. Martha’s Episcopal Church on Maplewood Street. Do note that preregistration is required for this event, which comes with a fee of $25. Click here to reserve a spot.
Registration for participation in this year’s parade opens at 9 a.m. If you or your pooch wish to march along, visit the Bethany Beach Bandstand and enter per three offered designations—$10 per dog, $20 per single person, or $10 for each person marching in a group of four or more.
The parade will begin promptly at 10 a.m. on Garfield Parkway. Following that, at 11 a.m., will be the highly anticipated Costume Contest and Awards Presentation. Winning honors will be doled out in the following costume categories—Funniest, Scariest, Cutest, Most Original, Best Family, Best with a Pet, and Best Pet.
The 11 a.m. hour is also when town-wide trick-or-treating gets underway. Trick-or-treating and other Halloween fun will continue through 1 p.m. Participating Bethany Beach-based businesses will all be marked with flags.
Attending the Wags, Witches & Warlocks Festival is free and open to the public. But again, some activities and participatory events come with a nominal cost. Hosted by the Leslie Kopp Group, all proceeds raised from the event benefit the Brandywine Valley SPCA. Learn more about this year’s Wags, Witches & Warlocks Festival on the website.