The 4th Annual Poseidon Festival will take place over Memorial Day Weekend, May 24th – 27^th, 2019, and you’re invited!   The Town of Bethany Beach will host 4 fun-filled days of island-inspired entertainment at the beach, Bandstand, and Nature Center (807 Garfield Parkway) designed to celebrate the sea while helping the community prepare for potential coastal emergencies.

Throughout the weekend, attendees can watch a live sand sculpting by local artist George Zaiser.  George is a professional artist and educator.  He is also the owner and operator of Bottle Branch Studio, which specializes in watercolor and sand sculpture. Sculpting professionally since 1989 Zaiser has been selected to travel to locations in the US, Canada, The Netherlands, and China as a professional sand sculptor.

The Poseidon Festival kicks off on Friday, May 24th on the Bandstand with a tribute to Jimmy Buffett by Parrotbeach. Parrotbeach is one of the few full time Buffett bands. They have been together for approximately 10 years, they met while playing in local club and original bands. The members of Parrotbeach hail from across our great nation, giving their sound a variation of musical influences. Parrotbeach is one of the few full time Buffett bands. They have been together for approximately 10 years, they met while playing in local club and original bands. The members of Parrotbeach hail from across our great nation, giving their sound a variation of musical influences.This group is one of the few full time Buffett bands.  The members come from across the country, giving their sound a variation of musical influences that will change your attitude and get you ready for summer.

The fun continues Saturday, May 25th.  At 10:30 a.m., the Nature Center will host mermaid activities and a book signing by Nancy Sakaduski, author of The Mermaid in Rehoboth Bay.  Kids are encouraged to dress as their favorite sea creature to get a prize.  Later at the bandstand, Saturday’s events feature pirate shows and mermaid encounters including a live mermaid tank and costume contest in search of Mr. and/or Ms. Poseidon.  From 5:30 – 9:00 p.m. on the Bandstand Plaza there will be an Emergency Meet and Greet with local experts on how to prepare for a potential coastal emergency.  Attendees can take a mini tour of the Town’s Mobile Command Center.  Lifeguards, police officers, and emergency personnel will be on hand to discuss ocean safety and distribute helpful handouts.  The day will highlight trop rock performances by Sons of Pirates at 3:00 and 4:30 and the Chris Sacks Band at 7:30 on the Bandstand stage.

On Sunday. May 26th at 1:00 p.m., the Bandstand will host the 2^nd annual Bethany Beach Hermit Crab Derby.  Attendees can choose a crab to race or just watch the fun play out in this event run by the National Crab Racing Association and backed by Florida Marine Research.  In between heats, Festival goers can take part in a hands-on Marine Science Camp taught by marine biologists/environmentalists.  Activities will explore dolphins, sharks, rays, and coral reefs.  There will also be a Scavenger Hunt on the beach at 3:15 with a craft made from recycled treasures. RELYance Skim Camp will teach Skim Board Basics on the beach off Garfield Parkway at 5:30. (They will provide boards.)  The U.S. Navy Band Country Current will finish out the day with a performance of country and bluegrass at 7:30. Reaching out to communities both locally and nationally, this group regularly performs in support of our active-duty sailors.

On Monday, May 27^th, The VFW Post 7234 will conduct a Memorial Day service at 11:00 a.m. on the Bandstand which is open to the public.  The festival concludes with an “Aloha Summer!” luau show that will offer an enchanting journey through the Polynesian islands set the stage for another exciting summer season in the Town of Bethany Beach.

See the full schedule on our website under Activities or click here for a sneak preview.