What's happening at the Delaware beaches: Running of the Bull and a lifeguard rescue
After what felt like a slow start to the tourist season at the Delaware beaches, summer is now indisputably in full swing – with a heat wave, to boot.
Bumper-to-bumper traffic has returned to Coastal Highway. The water parks, mini-golf courses and ice cream stands are open. Some state parks already have had to temporarily turn away visitors after reaching capacity.
Believe it or not, next week is the Fourth of July! Ah, summer.
There's a lot going on at the Delaware beaches at this time of year, but Delaware Online/The News Journal's weekly guide has everything you need to know. Read on to find out about weather, traffic, events and even a lifeguard rescue.
Though heat warnings officially end June 25, the temperature will remain near 90 degrees until the afternoon of June 26, when the National Weather Service predicts it will fall to about 80 degrees.
June 26 and 27 both have a 40% chance of rain, but hold on, another gray weekend is not predicted. June 28, 29 and 30 are expected to be partly or mostly sunny with temperatures in the 80s.
As always, check the latest weather report before heading out.
Resign yourself to the fact that traffic is heavy, put on some reggae and don't worry, be happy. Avoid road rage. Don't block the box.
Want to drive on Delaware beaches? Here's what you need to know
Allow for extra time to get to wherever you have to go, especially if you have to travel through Dewey Beach on June 28. Traffic on Coastal Highway will be crawling through Dewey most of the day, with a sea of red and white overflowing from The Starboard for the Running of the Bull. Around 2 p.m. they'll actually run across the highway, stopping traffic briefly.
If you're headed to beaches south of Dewey Beach, your best bet for June 28 is to take Route 113.
The will happen at The Starboard in Dewey Beach at 2 p.m. June 28.
This is not an actual bull, but two poor guys in a bull costume trying not to have heat stroke. The Starboard crowd will chase (or more accurately, drunkenly stumble after) them from the Starboard down to the beach and back.
Back at The Starboard, the "bull" and the matador face off and fight to the death. (Read: A G-rated WWF match.) The matador is typically some local celebrity, and get this: This year, it's The News Journal/Delaware Online's own Ryan Cormier, who's been covering the event for 20 years.
If it sounds silly and irreverent, it is. It's an all-day orange crush party with a flimsy premise that has held up for many years and is adored by many. There's also a kids' Running of the Bull on the beach at Dagsworthy Street at 10:30 a.m.
Olé! Inside this weekend's wacky Running of the Bull in Dewey Beach
Arrive early to find parking. Wear sunscreen.
On June 29, the Freeman Arts Pavilion in Selbyville will host classic rockers Pure Prairie League, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Orleans and Firefall at 7 p.m. Tickets are $59.
Most beach towns have free concerts, movies and/or bonfires, plus farmer's markets, at this time of year. Visit your town's website for more details.
Last week, a Delaware State Parks' lifeguard rescue made it to TikTok.
On June 19, three people (two New Castle County men and a Pennsylvania woman) were swimming off the Indian River Inlet's south side beach, in Delaware Seashore State Park, when they were pulled by the current into the inlet, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control spokesman Michael Globetti said.
Three lifeguards entered the inlet and, in what appeared to be a very easy feat for them, got all three swimmers to hold onto a paddleboard until they floated to the bay side and were able to get them out of the water. The swimmers refused medical treatment, Globetti said.
It was a very impressive show of skill and training.
While getting pulled into the inlet is a whole different animal, rip currents can happen anywhere and pull a swimmer out to sea. If you're caught in one, remain calm and don't fight it. Swim parallel to the beach until the current releases you and you can swim back to shore.
Rip currents are the cause of over 100 deaths each year and over 80% of all rescues performed by surf beach guards are related to rip currents, according to the U.S. Lifesaving Association.
If you're new to the Delaware beaches, here are some other stories you'll find informative:
Curfews: Another Delaware beach town just adopted a youth curfew
Surf fishing: Your guide to surf fishing at the Delaware beaches this summer
Dogs: Can I bring my dog to a Delaware beach? What to know
Shannon Marvel McNaught reports on southern Delaware and beyond. Reach her at smcnaught@gannett.com or on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: What's happening this week at the Delaware beaches
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
43 minutes ago
- Forbes
Northern Lights Forecast Update: 15 States Could See Aurora Borealis Tonight
Topline Minor geomagnetic storms are expected to produce a strong northern lights display on Wednesday night, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's latest forecast. The northern lights may be visible in more than a dozen states Wednesday night. (Photo by Andrew ...) Getty Images Key Facts Wednesday's northern lights forecast has a Kp index of 5 on a scale of 0 to 9 according to NOAA's forecast, indicating 'more auroral activity' that can be 'quite pleasing to look at' from a good vantage point. The potentially strong lights show is bolstered by minor-to-moderate geomagnetic storming, which is expected to last into Thursday, according to NOAA's three-day forecast. NOAA previously projected solar wind would escape from the sun's surface on Wednesday at high speeds, known as 'high speed streams,' resulting in 'escalated geomagnetic activity' when the winds arrive at Earth. Thursday's northern lights forecast is expected to be similarly strong, with auroras expected to be visible in about a dozen states. Where Will The Northern Lights Be Visible? Alaska, where the sun is expected to set late in the evening, should have a strong chance once the sun goes down, according to NOAA's forecast. Other states with strong chances to see the lights include Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. States along the 'view line,' the expected southernmost view point of the lights, include Iowa, New York, New Hampshire and Maine. Wednesday night's northern lights forecast. NOAA What's The Best Way To See The Northern Lights? NOAA says the best time to view the lights is between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. To get a good view, the agency recommends avoiding light pollution, finding a high vantage point and traveling as far north as possible. What's The Best Way To Photograph The Northern Lights? A travel photographer writing for National Geographic recommends using a wide-angle lens and a tripod for stability, as well as night mode, if the user has an iPhone. Other tactics include using aperture value of 4.0 or lower and adding details to the image by capturing trees, bodies of water or mountains. Key Background The northern lights have been especially active over the past year because the sun is in a period of heightened solar activity, known as its 'solar maximum.' The solar maximum occurs at the peak of its 11-year cycle, during which geomagnetic storming and other solar events are more common. But this solar maximum has exceeded even scientists' expectations, and NASA estimated the auroras have hit a 500-year peak. NASA said the strong aurora displays will continue until about 2026, at which point solar activity will begin to decline. On some occasions, the lights have been visible as far south as Florida, like when the sun produced an X9.0-level flare in October. Further Reading Northern Lights Displays Hit A 500-Year Peak In 2024—Here's Where You Could Catch Aurora Borealis In 2025 (Forbes)
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Is your state one of the hottest today in this heat wave? See heat index map
About 160 million people are currently being affected by a record-setting heat wave that extends from the Lower Mississippi Valley and Midwest to the East Coast, the National Weather Service said on June 24. Heat warnings, which began over the weekend, remained in effect across much of the country. Local officials on the East Coast have said many areas could experience conditions that "feel like" 110 degrees as the heat combines with humidity. AccuWeather meteorologists said high temperatures approaching and even exceeding 100 degrees are expected over more than three dozen states stretching from the Plains to New England through at least Tuesday, challenging many long-standing records. "The most significant cumulative heat impacts are anticipated across the Mid-Atlantic through Thursday and eastern Ohio Valley into Friday, leading to several consecutive days of oppressive heat," the weather service said Tuesday morning, urging people to stay cool and hydrated and to take action when they see symptoms of of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Dozens of locations, especially in the Northeast, will be within striking distance of daily record highs, especially through June 24, said meteorologist Jonathan Erdman. Here's a look at which states feel the hottest during the heat wave and how long the heat wave is expected to last. Live weather updates: Temperatures soar to triple digits as heat wave scorches millions The map embeds below identify areas where the heat index is forecasted to reach NWS-defined levels from "Caution" (80 degrees Fahrenheit) to "Extreme Danger" (above 125 degrees). Heat index measures how hot it actually feels when factoring for humidity. Prolonged exposure to heat index above 80 degrees can lead to fatigue, as previously reported by USA TODAY. As it gets hotter, the risk continues to increase − potentially resulting in heat stroke or even death. Older adults, children, and outdoor workers are generally at higher risk of heat-related incidents. Heat index map for Tuesday, June 24 The fierce heat is expected to last through the first half of the week before easing, according to forecasters. According to AccuWeather, some cloudiness and rain will enter the forecast in some areas near the Great Lakes and Northeast beginning Wednesday, and while temperatures will come down from their peaks on Monday and Tuesday, they will still likely run well into the 90s for most in the mid-Atlantic. There are multiple forms of heat illnesses, but heatstroke is the deadliest and most dangerous, according to the National Park Service. The following are symptoms of heatstroke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Body temperature of 103 degrees or higher Skins that is hot, red, dry or damp Fast, strong pulse Headache Dizziness Nausea Confusion Losing consciousness In the case of a heatstroke, the CDC recommends people do the following: Call 911 immediately Move the person suffering from heatstroke to a cool location Lower the person's body temperature with a cool cloth or bath Do not give the person suffering from a heatstroke water or anything to drink Contributing: Doyle Rice and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Which states feel hottest during the heat wave? See heat index map
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'Ring of fire' storms threaten edges of massive heat dome
As a deadly heat wave continued to scorch much of the eastern half of the country, a round of thunderstorms known as a "ring of fire" was cropping up along some of the edges of the heat dome, forecasters said on June 25. A ring of fire is a set of thunderstorms that tend to form along the edges of a heat dome. Tens of millions of Americans were under heat warnings and advisories from the National Weather Service the morning of June 25 in over a dozen states from the Midwest to much of the East Coast. The heat has so far led to at least one reported death in Missouri. A risk of severe thunderstorms could bring damaging wind gusts and hail along some areas of the heat dome's perimeter, including parts of the Carolinas, Southeast and mid-Mississippi Valley, according to the Storm Prediction Center. A ring of fire occurs when thunderstorms and rain form along the border of a ridge of high pressure, according to the National Weather Service. When the ridge stays in place, it traps heat over an area, causing a heat dome. In the heat dome, the weather will remain relatively stable, according to the weather service. That's because clouds have difficulty forming, so thunderstorms are kept away, AccuWeather reported. Along the edges of the heat dome, however, storms can pop up in clusters. The air there is cooler up in the atmosphere, allowing storm-producing clouds to form, according to AccuWeather. Thunderstorms packing dangerous wind gusts are expected across parts of North and South Carolina and the Southeast on June 25, according to the Storm Prediction Center. Along a corridor from Nebraska into Iowa, southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois, damaging wind gusts and hail are also expected to form. About 26 million people live in areas with a slight risk for severe storms, with major cities at risk, including Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro and Durham, North Carolina, and Atlanta. A slight risk for severe thunderstorms in parts of central Nebraska through northern Iowa and southern Minnesota will increase on June 26, forecasters said. AccuWeather also reported a threat of severe thunderstorms extending through Pennsylvania, the southern tier of New York to New Jersey, and southern New England. Over the next few days, the weather service said scattered thunderstorms are expected from the Southwest through the Upper Great Lakes region. Storms in New Mexico and west Texas could also lead to flash flooding, particularly over a burn scar in Ruidoso, New Mexico, the weather service said. The heat wave will continue to impact over 150 million people across a large swath of the eastern half of the country on June 25, the weather service said. The heat warnings and advisories blanket states from the Lower Mississippi Valley and Midwest to much of the East Coast. The Ohio Valley is experiencing the longest stretch of heat, with record high temperatures expected to continue through June 27, the weather service said. Records were broken in several areas for high temperatures on June 24, with New York City seeing its hottest day since 2012, the weather service said. Across the region of the heat wave, high temperatures on June 25 are expected to reach the upper 90s and nearing 100 degrees during the day, while struggling to drop below 80 overnight in some East Coast urban areas. A woman in St. Ann, Missouri, died in her home due to the dangerous heat after having no water or air conditioning for at least three days, KDSK-TV reported. Extreme heat caused disruptions to travel, tourist attractions and even a graduation ceremony earlier in the week. Contributing: Doyle Rice, Christopher Cann and Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Ring of fire' thunderstorms threaten edges of massive heat dome
