By Amy Watson Bish
From ghost tours and costumed parades to beer tastings and harvest festivals, here is a sampling of the fun fall events happening this month in the First State.
Paranormal Adventure
Fridays & Saturdays, Oct. 4-26 | 6:30 & 9:30pm| Fort Delaware State Park, Delaware City
Kick off spooky season by joining Diamond State Ghost Investigators on a paranormal investigation of Fort Delaware, which served as a prison for captured Confederates during the Civil War. On this three-hour tour, participants will use electromagnetic field detectors and other devices to reveal ghostly activity. Visit DeStateParks.com/History/FortDelaware.
Delaware Beer Fest
Oct. 5 | 11am-8pm | Frawley Stadium, Wilmington
This event showcases a lineup of brews from national brands and local breweries such as Bellefonte Brewing and Big Oyster Brewery. Guests will also enjoy live music, food trucks and games, including Giant Jenga, corn hole, and Beer Fest Trivia. Visit DelawareBeerFest.com.
27th Annual Kennett Brewfest
Oct. 5 | 1:30-5pm | South Broad Street, Kennett Square
Hop over to Kennett for a 21+ event featuring 80+ breweries serving up samples of more than 175 beers. There will also be live music and food trucks. Admission is $65, with discounted tickets for designated drivers also available. The “Connoisseur Admission” gets you early entry, lunch from Talula’s Table, unlimited tastings, and voting rights to “Best of Connoisseur” Award. Visit KennettBrewfest.com.
Lafayette’s Bicentennial Tour
Oct. 6 | 11:30am – 8pm | Claymont, Wilmington & Historic New Castle
The 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette’s Farewell Tour in America makes a special stop in Delaware. Explore local Delaware sites that the American Revolutionary War general visited in 1824 and discover the life and legacy of the man who played a pivotal role in the founding of the nation. Delaware’s route includes the Robinson House (Claymont), Brandywine Village and Old Town Hall (Wilmington), and Amstel House and Jessop’s Tavern (Historic New Castle), and features such activities as tours and exhibits, guest speakers, colonial reenactors, live entertainment, and more. Visit Lafayette200.org.
The Revisionists: A Haunted Gothic Walk at Rockwood
Fridays & Saturdays, Oct. 11-26 | Rockwood Park & Museum, Wilmington
On this immersive, lamp-lit guided tour through Rockwood’s grounds, you’ll hear five spine-tingling ghost stories from the last century — and you may even come across a troubled specter or two along the way. Get into the “spirit” and wear your Gothic garb, and if you need to settle your nerves, drinks will be available for adults in the speakeasy. (This event is for ages 13 and up.) Visit PoplarHall.life.
Hauntings in History
Fridays & Saturdays, Oct. 11 – Nov. 2 | 7:00, 7:30, & 8:30pm | Historic New Castle
If you just can’t get enough of ghost stories, then head over to Historic New Castle. There, you’ll be taken to the legendary Amstel House by your guide to meet the “Woman in Blue,” and then walk the darkened cobblestone streets while listening to macabre tales that span the town’s 370-year history. Visit NewCastleHistory.org.
32nd Annual Apple Scrapple Festival
Oct. 11 & 12 | Bridgeville
This annual fall tradition welcomes thousands to the small town of Bridgeville to showcase Sussex County’s agri-business with — what else — apples and scrapple. Enjoy apple dumplings, scrapple sandwiches and other delicious delights, plus carnival rides, live music, an invitational scrapple sling, car show and much more. The fun starts at 4 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on Saturday. Visit AppleScrapple.com.
Schellville Fall Harvest Fest
Oct. 12, 13 & 20 | 3-8pm | Schellville, Rehoboth
Schelleville’s signature fall festival is filled with fun for everyone — hayrides, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making, food trucks, local breweries, and more. Plus, you don’t have to wait for winter to enjoy their sled hill or skating rink — both will be open. Visit SchellBrothers.com.
The Great Pumpkin Carve
Oct. 17-19 | Chadds Ford Historical Society, Chadds Ford
This seasonal three-night tradition showcases more than 70 giant pumpkins carved and illuminated by local artists. Attendees can also enjoy a haunted trail, live music, food, and local craft beer and wine. Hours are Thursday and Friday 4-9 p.m., and Saturday 3-9 p.m. Visit ChaddsFordHistory.org.
Hagley Craft Fair
Oct. 19-20 | Hagley Museum & Library, Greenville
Now in its 46th year, this show features works in wood, leather, pottery, jewelry, metal and more by some of the finest artisans from the Mid-Atlantic area, along with a specialty food market. Show hours are Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Visit Hagley.org.
Boo at the Zoo
Oct. 18-20 | 10am–3pm | Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington
The Brandywine Zoo invites all to come in costume and visit the animals at this “merry, not scary” Halloween event, which also features activities and treats (no tricks!). Visit BrandywineZoo.org.
6th Annual Halloween Ghost Ship
Oct. 19 | noon-4pm | Copeland Maritime Center at the Kalmar Nyckel Shipyard, Wilmington
Celebrate Halloween with a maritime twist. All ages are invited to come dressed in costume and enjoy a variety of activities including deck tours of the Kalmar Nyckel, pumpkin painting, Halloween-themed crafts and more. Visit KalmarNyckel.org.
A Dickens Halloween
Oct. 19 | 1pm & 6pm | Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library, Greenville
Gerald Charles Dickens, actor and great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, returns to Winterthur to perform two of the author’s tales of terror, “Sikes & Nancy” and “Captain Murderer.” Visit Winterthur.org.
34th Annual Sea Witch Festival
Oct. 25-27 | Downtown Rehoboth Beach & Dewey Beach
This annual family-friendly Halloween celebration is three days of fun. The weekend kicks off on Friday with the iconic Sea Witch Balloon making its grand entrance ahead of a parade of floats and hundreds costumed participants, and continues through Sunday with a costumed dog parade, trick-or-treating, live music, the Sea Witch 5K Run and more. Visit Beach-Fun.com.