The Sea Witch strikes back for the 20th year in a row at Rehoboth Beach

October 21, 9:15 PMBaltimore Day Trips ExaminerLaura Pritzker

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Come to Rehoboth this weekend for the Annual Sea Witch Halloween and Fiddlers Festival. For three whole days, you can discover for yourself why this spectacular Halloween celebration has left visitors “spellbound for 20 years.”

Friday Night Kickoff begins the festivities on Oct. 23. Beginning at 3 p.m. and lasting on through 7 p.m., families will love the Choo-Choo Express in Grove Park. Located in downtown Rehoboth, you can come down for a free short ride through the park in train cars driven by a lawn mower engine. Then, at 7 p.m., be sure to set up in the park for the Outdoor Movie on the Big Screen. This year will play Kung Fu Panda.

The party is in full swing come Saturday, Oct. 24. At 11 a.m. line up at Rehoboth Beach Convention Hall to see the Costume Parade which will follow Rehoboth Avenue to the Rehoboth Bandstand and then will end at the Rehoboth Avenue at Village by the sea. At 1 p.m., the popular Sea Witch Hunt will commence. Those wishing to participate in the ultimate scavenger hunt must first check with the official clue keeper and pick up a 100-clue site location list. All guesses must be submitted by 5 p.m., when the winner will be announced at the Bandstand. Also beginning at 1 p.m. and lasting through 5 p.m. is the State of Delaware’s Official Sea Witch Halloween Fiddler’s Festival. Adults and children alike may compete in fiddling and banjo playing and may win cash prizes and other awards. Be sure to make your way over to the beach by 3 p.m. for the Wacky Broom Tossing Contest. Divisions of all ages will get a shot at tossing their numbered brooms on the beach, striving for the longest distance. An official blue ribbon reading “Sea Witch Broom Tosser” will be awarded.

Other events to grace Saturday’s frivolities include an array of old-fashioned beach games. These games begin at 2 p.m. and ribbons are awarded to all participants. Popular favorites include: a peanut on the nose race, where kids balance a peanut on their nose and strive to make it to the finish line first; an apple push, where kids race using sticks to push their apples across the beach first, and the pumpkin dash, where kids dash across the beach balancing pumpkin bean bags on their heads. New games this year include: spider on a spoon, a race that includes balancing creeper crawlers on a wooden spoon; a hula boo hula hoop event; creepy casting, where kids cast a fishing line at a target; a pumpkin pie eating contest and a pumpkin seed spitting contest. The fishing pond will also be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. At 5 p.m. the Salt Water Cowboys will present a Horse Show on the Beach featuring Maryland Rough Riders as they provide musically choreographed horse performances and drills.

Sunday, Oct. 25 will begin with a 5K Race & Webfooters Walks at 9 a.m. Registration time is at 8 a.m. During this event, over five hundred people, including families dressed entirely in Halloween costume participate in walking and running through Grove Park. Prizes are presented, not only for the best time but also for the best costumes. From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. the Kiwanis Club is hosting a Kid’s Pirate Treasure Trail which allows children to follow their treasure maps to uncover many hidden “treasures.” The Best Costumed Pet Parade is another highlight on Sunday. At 12 p.m., costumed pets line up at Grenoble Place where judging will start at 12:15 p.m. Then, at 1 p.m., costumed pets will take off down the boardwalk in a memorable parade. All participants receive a ribbon. At 3 p.m., Sturday’s horse show will encore the performances for those who may have missed the first time around.

Other excitements during the Sea Witch Festival include: getting pictures taken with Frankendude and enjoying non-stop live entertainment. The Rehoboth Beach Bandstand will feature Spooky Spats Family Show, The Funny Guy, Southern Delaware School of Art’s Steel Drum Band and their “Steel Show,” Delaware Comedy Theatre, Jamboree Boys, Magic Shows and so much more.

The Sea Witch Halloween Festival is made possible by Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 302-227-2233 or visit www.beach-fun.com.