The Sea Witch Festival Parade is a popular event held in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. Every year, thousands of people gather to participate in or watch this colorful and exciting parade. The festival itself is dedicated to all things related to the sea, and the parade is one of the highlights of the event. The parade features various floats, marching bands, local organizations, and individuals dressed up in costumes. One of the highlights of the parade is the Sea Witch, a character based on the mythical sea witches from folklore. This character rides on a float and is often accompanied by a court of mermaids and other sea creatures.
Sea Witch® Festival 2023
This character rides on a float and is often accompanied by a court of mermaids and other sea creatures. The parade route winds through the streets of Rehoboth Beach, offering a prime viewing spot for visitors and locals alike. Spectators are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets and line the streets to enjoy the sights and sounds of the parade.
Don’t Miss the Annual Sea Witch Festival in Rehoboth Beach, Oct. 27-29, 2023
By Chris Murphy
Following the summer season, things slow down in Rehoboth Beach. That is, until the end of October. Halloween celebrations kick off in Rehoboth Beach with the annual Sea Witch® Festival.
About the Sea Witch® Festival
The annual Sea Witch Festival is Rehoboth Beach’s free family-friendly Halloween celebration. Dress up and enjoy the parades, live entertainment, contests and more in downtown Rehoboth Beach. The Sea Witch Festival is Friday through Sunday, Oct. 27-29, 2023.
Sea Witch Festival Activities
All through downtown Rehoboth, and at local businesses, you can take part in an array of free activities during the Sea Witch Festival.
Trick-or-treat in downtown Rehoboth and Dewey Beach, watch a classic horror film at the Rehoboth Beach Museum, visit the Kid’s Zone at First Street Station, go on a scavenger hunt and so much more.
Sea Witch Festival Costume Parade
The Sea Witch Festival kicks off with the Sea Witch Balloon and Clipper Ship. Following this headlining float will be hundreds of people, dressed in costume, walking the parade, as well as motorized floats. The parade will follow Rehoboth Avenue. Those interested in watching the parade are advised to arrive before the 9 a.m. start time.
Costumed Dog Parade
The pups have their own Halloween celebration on Sunday with the Costumed Dog Parade. Starting from the north end of the Rehoboth Beach Boardwalk, pet owners and their dogs can come dressed to walk down the boardwalk.
Sea Witch 5K Classic Run and One Mile Fright Walk
On Sunday, take part in the Sea Witch Festival 5K Run and One Mile Fright Walk. There will be over 500 runners dressed in costume to race down Rehoboth Avenue. Prizes will be awarded for running the fastest time and having the best costume.
Vendors
This year’s Sea Witch Festival will have an expanded artisan and vendor area in the Convention Center. From 1–6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. on Sunday. Browse over 30 vendors showcasing and selling their handmade products and goods.
Kid’s Corner
The Convention Center will also feature the Kid’s Corner all weekend long. Each day of the festival, children can enjoy fun Halloween-themed activities, including Spooky Science Fun, trick-or-treat bag decorating, magic shows, monster art and more.
Live Music
There will be live music at the Rehoboth Beach Bandstand for all three days of the Sea Witch Festival. Several bands and artists will be performing an array of musical genres in free concerts that are perfect for the whole family.
Getting to the Sea Witch Festival
Public transportation will be available for those attending the Sea Witch Festival.
Parking
Parking is not recommended on Rehoboth Avenue. Crowd control fencing will be in place Saturday, Oct. 26, before the festival. Parking will be available on the side streets.
More Information about the Sea Witch Festival
For more information about the Sea Witch® Festival, visit Beach-Fun.com
Sea Witch Festival has a parade, but also lots of family fun
After the parade was over, the Sea Witch Festival continued well into the evening with a bunch of family activities, including games on the beach. Josie Klingensmith, 5, runs with a hula hoop. CHRIS FLOOD PHOTO
Chris Flood October 29, 2023In addition to the elaborate floats and costumes, the parade also includes live music performances from local bands and dance troupes. The lively atmosphere and infectious energy of the parade make it a must-attend event for people of all ages. The Sea Witch Festival Parade is not limited to just sea-related themes. Participants are encouraged to get creative with their floats and costumes, resulting in a diverse and eclectic display of imagination and artistry. The festival itself lasts for several days and includes various activities such as a costume contest, vendor booths, live entertainment, and a halloween-themed dog parade. However, the parade remains one of the main highlights of the festival, drawing large crowds and showcasing the unique and vibrant spirit of the Rehoboth Beach community. Whether you are a local or a visitor, the Sea Witch Festival Parade is a must-see event. It captures the essence of the coastal community, celebrates creativity and artistry, and provides a fun-filled experience for all who attend..
Reviews for "A Magical Affair: Sea Witch Festival Parade Meets Halloween"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to the Sea Witch Festival Parade, but it was a huge disappointment. The floats were poorly decorated and lacked creativity. The costumes worn by the participants were also lackluster and didn't capture the essence of sea witches at all. The entire parade felt disorganized and there was a lack of enthusiasm from both the performers and the audience. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend attending.
2. Ryan - 1 star - The Sea Witch Festival Parade was a complete disaster. The organizers seemed to have put no effort into planning this event. The floats were falling apart, the performers looked bored, and there was no sense of excitement in the air. It felt like a last-minute attempt to put together a parade without any thought or care. I would strongly advise against wasting your time attending this event.
3. Emily - 2 stars - The Sea Witch Festival Parade was underwhelming to say the least. The floats were poorly designed and lacked any creativity or wow factor. The performers seemed unenthusiastic and it was clear that they were just going through the motions. I had high hopes for this event, but it fell far short of my expectations. I would suggest looking for other Halloween parades or events instead.
4. Alex - 2 stars - The Sea Witch Festival Parade was a disappointment. The parade route was poorly planned, with spectators cramped in narrow spaces and unable to fully enjoy the event. The floats themselves were lackluster and didn't capture the magic of the sea witch theme. The overall atmosphere was dull and there was a distinct lack of energy. I wouldn't recommend attending this parade unless significant improvements are made.
5. Jessica - 1 star - The Sea Witch Festival Parade was a waste of time. The floats were unimaginative and poorly constructed. The performers were uninspired and didn't seem to be enjoying themselves. The parade lacked any sense of cohesiveness and it felt like a jumble of random elements thrown together. I was extremely disappointed and I won't be attending this event again in the future.