Striped bass swim the waters of Chesapeake Bay! Barb found one for dinner!
APtravelnews–Wilmington, Del (February 2, 2016)…The arrival of spring signals the beginning of the festival season in Greater Wilmington & the Brandywine Valley. There’s a lot to enjoy including a brand new OperaDelaware festival and three special events on Mother’s Day Weekend. Here’s a list of several festivals that warrant serious attention:
WilmFilm Festival (March 10-13) The city’s annual film festival showcases “movies that matter” with more than 30 screenings of independent, foreign and documentary films as well as “Delaware shorts” over four days at Penn Cinema IMAX Riverfront. www.wilmfilm.com
Celebrity Chefs’ Brunch (April 17) World renowned and award-winning chefs alongside local favorites demonstrate their culinary talents during the annual Celebrity Chefs’ Brunch. This popular event is held in the prestigious Hercules Plaza, a 12-story high-rise building in Downtown Wilmington overlooking beautiful Brandywine Park. From 11 AM until 2 PM on Sunday, enjoy exquisite cuisine complimented by fine wines and brunch cocktails and an exciting silent auction. Proceeds from this event benefit Meals on Wheels Delaware. www.mealsonwheelsde.org/celebrity-chefs-brunch/
Wildflower Celebration at Mt. Cuba Center (April 24) Mt. Cuba Center is one of the country’s premier native plant gardens and the annual Wildflower Celebration is an opportunity to experience the Mt. Cuba Center at its seasonal peak. Spectacular vistas, formal gardens, woodland paths, meadows and tranquil ponds grace this 600-acre property. On Sunday, April 24th, admission is free and visitors are treated to live music, family-friendly programming and a variety of informative gardening demonstrations from 10 AM to 4 PM. www.mtcubacenter.org
Wilmington Flower Market in Rockford Park (May 5-7) Highlights of this three-day event in Rockford Park include expansive plant sales, many of which are donations from local gardens, colorful hanging flower baskets, crafts, vendors, games, carnival rides, mouth-watering foods and plenty of live entertainment. Proceeds from the Flower Market have been supporting Delaware’s children for over 95 years. www.wilmingtonflowermarket.org
Wilmington Garden Day (May 7) Held rain or shine, Wilmington Garden Day is a one day, self-guided tour of some of the Brandywine Valley’s most distinctive homes and gardens. It’s the perfect way to get new decorating ideas—both inside and outside. www.wilmingtongardenday.org
Point-to-Point Steeplechase Races at Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library(May 8) This annual event features exciting horse races, an antique carriage parade, lavish tailgate picnics, special demonstrations, pony rides and a variety of children’s games all in the setting of an American country estate. www.winterthur.org
2016 OperaDelaware Festival (May 14-May 22) OperaDelaware’s 72nd season culminates in a festival on consecutive weekends in May when OperaDelaware brings two full-scale productions to the stage at The Grand Opera House in Downtown Wilmington. The East Coast premiere of Franco Faccio’s lost opera Amleto(“Hamlet”), painstakingly reconstructed by Anthony Barrese after 145 years anddirected by E. Loren Meeker, is scheduled on May 14, May 20 and May 22. Verdi’s timeless Falstaff, conducted by Maestro Giovanni Reggioli and featuring baritone Steven Condy and internationally acclaimed sopranos Victoria Cannizzo and Sharin Apostolou, is scheduled on May 15 and May 21. www.operadelaware.org
Gran Fondo (May 17) Cycling enthusiasts return to Wilmington for the annual Gran Fondo. Both amateurs and professionals participate in Sunday’s Gran Fondo, Medio Fondo or Governor’s Ride over spectacular 62-, 30- or 15-mile courses mapped through the Brandywine Valley’s glorious chateau country. The Gran Fondo starts and finishes at the Delaware Art Museum where the after-party is held. www.wilmgrandprix.com
A Day in Old New Castle (May 21) This is the nation’s oldest, continuously running house and garden tour. Residents in the charming 350+-year-old town along the Delaware River open their homes and carefully tended gardens to the public. There’s also a full complement of historical re-enactments, military maneuvers and encampments, craft demonstrations, storytelling, period games, colonial dancing, music and even a beer garden. www.dayinoldnewcastle.org/
The Greater Wilmington Convention & Visitors Bureau is a non-profit organization founded in 1978, chartered by the Governor of Delaware, the New Castle County Executive and the Mayor of Wilmington. Its mission is to serve as the community’s customer-focused destination marketing organization, generating economic growth through leisure travel and meetings development by aggressively marketing attractions, facilities, amenities and services for visitors. Lyn Lewis LynLewis@VisitWilmingtonDE.com
100 West 10th Street, Suite 20
Wilmington, DE 19801
P: 302-295-2212
F: 302-652-4726
VisitWilmingtonDE.com
APtravelnews- Provided news release from FLFFWCC–January 27th,-The recreational harvest season for snook reopens on Feb. 1st in Florida’s Atlantic coastal and inland waters (from the Miami-Dade/Monroe county line north), including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. The season will remain open through May 31.
In the Atlantic, anglers may keep one snook per day that is not less than 28 or more than 32 inches total length, which is measured from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed while the fish is lying on its side. A snook permit is required to keep snook, along with a saltwater fishing license, unless the angler is exempt from the license requirements. Only hook-and-line gear is allowed when targeting or harvesting snook. It is illegal to buy or sell snook.
APtravelnews-BALTIMORE (this release from OTD-January 20th – Just in time to plan for a year’s worth of travel, The Maryland Office of Tourism Development (OTD) released the 2016 edition of Destination Maryland: The Guide to Maryland Travel. This free travel publication highlights the regions of Maryland and includes trip suggestions as well as listings of attractions, state and national parks, lodging and services.
“The text and images in the newly released guide were designed to be inspirational,” said Liz Fitzsimmons, executive director, Maryland Office of Tourism Development. “New this year, Destination Maryland includes the “indulge all 5 senses in Maryland” photo essay that highlights a variety of things to see, taste, touch, smell and hear throughout the state. The guide also delves into seasonal and regional activities throughout Maryland.”
This full-color magazine also contains editorial features and itineraries, and listings for more than 2,000 tourism attractions, state and national parks, lodging, and tour and travel services. The guide also includes special interviews with Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter, mountain bike hall of famer Marla Streb and several of Maryland’s celebrity chefs.
Destination Maryland is produced in conjunction with Miles, a leader in travel publication and content development. With more than 183 travel marketing experts, Miles is 100 percent dedicated to marketing travel destinations, and creates award-winning, innovative, integrated online and print solutions that result in increased visitation.
Copies of Destination Maryland are available at Maryland Welcome Centers or by calling 800-719-5900. Orders can also be placed on the Office of Tourism’s web site, visitmaryland.org, which is also where the guide is available in a flip-book version.
