AGP Executive Report

Weekend Plans: Sea Witch Festival returns to Rehoboth Oct. 23–25 with parades, costumes and Halloween activities; Blue Hen Comic Con and movie marathons round out the Delaware lineup. Arts & Heritage: A Lewes library panel on Oct. 28 will explore Jewish-American contributions to Delaware and the region. The Delaware Symphony’s new music director is also working to make classical music more accessible. Community & Inclusion: CAMP Rehoboth’s block party brought thousands together to celebrate community and inclusion. Environmental Advocacy: The Inland Bays Foundation is dissolving after 14 years, citing difficulty attracting members, but its board says it will continue pressing for clean, swimmable bays. Schools & Belonging: A Delaware school district says an ICE agent entered a middle school, while immigrant parents across the state face uncertainty amid deportations.

Schools & Community: An ICE agent briefly entered Stanton Middle School in New Castle County before an arrest just off campus, prompting concern among immigrant families; the district said no students were detained. Arts & Heritage: Ursuline Academy’s governance is transferring to the Ursuline Education Foundation, which will carry on the Wilmington school’s 130-year Ursuline mission. The academy also received a $2.5 million gift for a new performing arts center. The Delaware Art Museum brings a Hudson River School presentation to Lewes Public Library on Oct. 26, while the Mid-Atlantic Symphony features composer Mary Howe in Rehoboth on Nov. 7. Community & Outdoors: Thousands gathered at CAMP Rehoboth’s block party to celebrate inclusion, and the Nanticoke Indian Association plans a Native American Day celebration Nov. 7. Delaware State Parks marked their 75th anniversary by planting 75,000 trees. Health & Support: Delaware breast cancer survivor Jody Ginter Mihok is sharing her story ahead of Newark’s Deer Park Goes Pink 5K on Oct. 25, which raises funds for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition.

Arts & Activism: Chuck D and graffiti pioneer Darryl “Cornbread” McCray joined Wilmington’s Fourth Annual Hip-Hop Cultural Summit at the Delaware Art Museum, where an exhibit explores art as a force for resistance. Performing Arts: Ursuline Academy is nearing its fundraising goal for a new Wilmington arts center, boosted by a $2.5 million gift from Paul and Linda McConnell. The renovated historic building will include performance and rehearsal spaces and become a permanent home for the Brandywiners. Native Heritage: The Nanticoke Indian Association welcomes the public to its free Native American Day celebration in Millsboro on Nov. 7, with storytelling, drumming, museum tours and Native vendors. This year’s theme is “Rooted in Tradition. Growing Our Future.”

Nanticoke Heritage: The Nanticoke Indian Association will host its free Native American Day celebration in Millsboro on Nov. 7, with storytelling, social drumming, museum tours and Native vendors. Parks & Nature: Delaware State Parks marked its 75th anniversary by planting its 75,000th tree, an American holly at Trap Pond State Park. Community & Inclusion: Thousands gathered at CAMP Rehoboth’s block party to celebrate community and inclusion. Arts: Delaware Symphonic Winds will perform its fall concerts Oct. 24–25.

Community Health: Cancer Support Community Delaware offers free support groups, wellness classes and education for patients, caregivers and loved ones; it served 8,000 people in its most recent year. Pet Adoption: Brandywine Valley SPCA is letting adopters set their own fees for dogs and cats over six months during National Adoption Week, Oct. 20–25, with local events in Millsboro and Rehoboth. Education: Delaware’s education secretary will hear high school students’ feedback on a proposed school accountability plan during a virtual forum Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.; public comments are open through Nov. 20. Arts & Inclusion: Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice marks its 10th anniversary with a gala in Rehoboth on Oct. 24, celebrating a decade of advocacy, scholarships and community work. CAMP Rehoboth’s recent block party also brought thousands together to celebrate inclusion. On Stage: Delaware Symphonic Winds’ fall concerts are set for Oct. 24–25.**

Public Access: Delaware’s proposed FOIA overhaul could speed responses and broaden who can request records, but critics worry it would let agencies reject requests they deem too burdensome. Racial Justice: The Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice marks 10 years with a gala in Rehoboth Beach on Oct. 24, celebrating its work on scholarships, criminal justice reform and racial equity. Community Support: The Down Syndrome Association of Delaware has joined with a Delaware County group, expanding services to nearly 1,000 families across Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. Local Flavor: Dogfish Head is teaming up with Joan Jett on Jett Black Lager, available nationwide starting Oct. 27. Environmental Projects: DNREC is awarding $523,179 to 12 community projects, including Sussex County air-quality monitoring and green-space improvements along Milford’s Mispillion Riverwalk. Inclusion: Thousands gathered for CAMP Rehoboth’s block party, celebrating community and inclusion.

Community & Inclusion: Nearly 4,000 people joined CAMP Rehoboth’s annual block party for live music, local vendors and a celebration of LGBTQ+ community. Education: Delaware Education Secretary Cindy Marten is seeking public feedback on a proposed school accountability plan, saying new funding should reach students and improve outcomes. Arts & Culture: Delaware Symphonic Winds brings its “Let Freedom Ring” program to Milford High School on Oct. 24 and Cape Henlopen High School on Oct. 25, with music marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. Local Heritage: A new garden story post in Lewes shares the history and traditions of the Nanticoke Indian Tribe. Rural Health: Delaware is investing more than $1.3 million in scholarships and housing support to recruit physicians to Kent and Sussex counties, with recipients committing to five years of rural practice.

Live Music: Delaware Symphonic Winds brings its “Let Freedom Ring” program to Milford High School on Oct. 24 and Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes on Oct. 25, with music marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. Indigenous Heritage: A new Nanticoke garden story post in Lewes celebrates the tribe’s history and traditions, offering visitors a chance to learn about Delaware’s first people. Fall Fun: The Delaware Renaissance Faire returns for its fifth season on Halloween, adding another costumed outing to the state’s autumn calendar. Arts & Education: Delaware’s DAAS CO-OP Gallery will explore the global impacts of luxury brands in a November exhibition, while Christina School District educator Jessica Liu has been named Delaware’s 2027 Teacher of the Year.

Nanticoke Heritage: A new garden story post in Lewes, created with the Nanticoke Indian Association, gives visitors a place to learn about the tribe’s history and living traditions. Fall Events: Lewes hosts the Bluegrass by the Bay festival today, while the Delaware Renaissance Faire returns for its fifth season on Halloween. Art & Identity: A Delaware painter is turning to self-portraits to explore faith and gender. Gallery Watch: DAAS CO-OP Gallery’s November exhibition will examine the global impacts of luxury brands.

Nanticoke Heritage: A new garden story post in Lewes invites visitors to learn about the Nanticoke people and their history. The project brings together the Nanticoke Indian Association, Lewes in Bloom and the Delaware Community Foundation. Weekend Outings: Delaware’s fall calendar features Hagley’s craft fair, the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, Halloween events and more across the state. Food & Drink: Dogfish Head is bringing back Midas Touch, one of its most-requested rare beers. Arts & Culture: Wilmington’s DAAS CO-OP Gallery will explore the global impact of luxury brands in a November exhibition. Community: Delaware’s Women’s Hall of Fame held its latest induction ceremony, recognizing women’s contributions across the state.

Weekend Outings: Delaware’s fall calendar is full of ways to get out, from Hagley’s craft fair and the Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival to pumpkin patches and Halloween events. The Delaware Renaissance Faire also opens its fifth season on Halloween. Women’s Achievements: Delaware’s Hall of Fame honored educator and Girls Inc. founder Mary C. Dennison, youth-services leader Judith Drexler, Wilmington University’s first Black woman president LaVerne Harmon, and former W.L. Gore CEO Terri Kelly. Arts & Ideas: DAAS CO-OP Gallery will show Nick Masiello’s colorful, ironic take on luxury brands and their links to global conflict Nov. 6–29. Local Flavor: Dogfish Head’s much-requested Midas Touch beer is returning. Community Events: Rehoboth’s Monster Mash fundraiser on Oct. 29 will support Children’s Beach House and its programs for Delaware children and families.

Weekend Outings: Delaware’s Oct. 16–18 lineup spans the Hagley Craft Fair, Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival, live opera and Halloween fun. Women in Delaware: The state honored four leaders at its Women’s Hall of Fame ceremony, including Girls Inc. founder Mary C. Dennison and Wilmington University’s first African American woman president, Dr. LaVerne Harmon. Arts & Ideas: DAAS CO-OP Gallery opens Nick Masiello’s show on luxury brands and their global impacts Nov. 6. Community & Living: A new Delaware LIVE series follows 75-year-old Navy veteran Michael Richards, who found friendship and renewed independence after moving into assisted living. Halloween for a Cause: Rehoboth’s Monster Mash fundraiser on Oct. 29 will support Children’s Beach House with live music, a costume contest and food.

Weekend Plans: Bluegrass by the Bay brings music to the Lewes ferry terminal on Oct. 18, while the Delaware Renaissance Faire returns for its fifth season on Halloween. Arts & Heritage: The John Dickinson Plantation is set to open a new visitor center in Dover, and Delaware has created a Commission for Indigenous Affairs to strengthen ties with Indigenous communities. Creative Delaware: A Delaware painter is using self-portraits to explore faith and gender, while Coast Day marks 50 years of connecting visitors with the state’s coastal environment. Performing Arts: Clear Space has named a planning and design team for a new performing arts facility, and OperaDelaware has appointed a new development director.

Arts & Identity: A Delaware painter is using self-portraits to explore faith and gender, while the state’s new Commission for Indigenous Affairs aims to strengthen ties with Indigenous communities. Fall on the Delmarva: Lewes hosts Bluegrass by the Bay at the ferry terminal on Oct. 18, and the Delaware Renaissance Faire returns for its fifth season around Halloween. Food & Drink: Dogfish Head is bringing back Midas Touch, its most-requested rare beer. Local Traditions: Coast Day marked 50 years, celebrating Delaware’s coastal science and community connections.

Arts & Events: OperaDelaware opens its season with Don Giovanni at Wilmington’s Grand Opera House on Friday and Sunday. The Delaware Art Museum hosts a free Hip Hop Cultural Summit Saturday, with graffiti pioneer Cornbread and Public Enemy co-founder Chuck D. Fall on the Bay: Lewes gets a free family-friendly bluegrass festival Sunday at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Terminal, with live music, food trucks and fall activities. Wildlife & Conservation: Delaware rehabilitators are raising funds for a dedicated center to care for injured animals and offer public education. In Delaware Bay, researchers are tagging sand tiger sharks as protected animals from the area are collected for overseas aquariums. Water Watch: PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” have been found in the Delaware River, a drinking-water source for millions.

Delaware Renaissance Faire: The Townsend festival returns Oct. 31 for three weekends, with armored combat, mounted archery, more than 120 artisan vendors and a new mermaid performer. Education & Belonging: Wilson Elementary’s Jessica Liu is Delaware’s 2027 Teacher of the Year. The multilingual-learning teacher is recognized for inclusive, culturally responsive teaching and helping students feel proud of their languages and backgrounds. Indigenous Heritage: Delaware has created a Commission for Indigenous Affairs to strengthen ties with Indigenous communities; a historic house is also being recognized as a homecoming for the Lenape people. Community Giving: Holy Child Knights, Five Below and local partners coordinated a 12-pallet toy donation for Toys for Tots in Dover, helping get surplus toys to children in need.