State Fair Offers Opportunity to Learn About Delaware Agriculture

DOVER, Del. (July 19, 2023) — Whether you are headed to the state fair from the city, suburbs, or our rural communities, the Delaware State Fair is a perfect opportunity to learn about agriculture, the state’s top industry.

“Since I was a child in 4-H, State Fair has been my favorite time of year. I love how one event, spanning ten days, can bring so many people together to celebrate agriculture and the hard work of Delaware’s producers to feed us all. It shows that agriculture doesn’t just impact rural communities,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “State Fair has a little of everything for everyone, but use this opportunity to ask questions. Learn about the history of Delaware Agriculture, where we are today, and where our young exhibitors, the next generation of agriculturalists, are looking to take the future of agriculture.”

More than ninety-six percent of Delaware’s 2,300 farms are family-owned. Delaware farmers produce a variety of agricultural products on more than 530,000 acres of farmland, including corn, soybeans, wheat, poultry, livestock, fruits and vegetables, and nursery stock. The state’s agricultural commodities can be experienced simply by visiting the barns and buildings along Holloway Street, from the front of the Fair by Quillen Arena to the 4-H/FFA Building (The Centre) and The Delmarva Building.

On the grounds, fairgoers can travel back in time and revisit the history of Delaware agriculture through the Antique Machinery Showcase held on July 22 in the Quillen Arena. This event features antiques dating back to the early 1900s and even some before. With antique tractors, broom makers, artisans, and more, there is something for all ages to experience.

This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the innovation and advancements of the meat chicken industry, which began in Ocean View, Delaware, all due to a mathematical error and the resourcefulness of Cecile Steele. Poultry will be one of the highlights in the air-conditioned Delaware Agricultural Education Center.

“Each year, we try to find new ways to engage fairgoers in learning about agriculture in the Delaware Agriculture Education Center. This year’s new building additions include a commercial poultry house exhibit, and the Delaware Grown kitchen has been upgraded to allow attendees to understand better how to prepare Delaware specialty crops.,” said Stacey Hofmann, spokesperson for the Delaware Department of Agriculture. “The Delmarva Chicken Association will also have a virtual reality 360-degree tour of a chicken farm.”

Educational food demonstrations will be held in the Delaware Grown Kitchen at 2 p.m. every day of the fair. Topics include:

• Thursday, July 20: Watermelon Salsa, Watermelon Cucumber Salad, and Watermelon Cake
• Friday, July 21: Uses of Culinary Lavender
• Saturday, July 22: The “Dish” on Delmarva Poultry
• Sunday, July 23: Chickens on Delmarva
• Monday, July 24: Zesty Corn and Spinach Sauté
• Tuesday, July 25: Watermelon Demo with the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen
• Wednesday, July 26: Quickie Veggie Fritters
• Thursday, July 27: Watermelon Demo with the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen
• Friday, July 28: Herbal Vinegars
• Saturday, July 29: In the Kitchen with Delaware Farm Bureau

Attendees can also get a glimpse of the equine industry throughout the Fair. Exhibitors will be participating in English and Western classes, showmanship, showing horses in hand, and driving. Harrington Raceway is one of three tracks in Delaware that offers horse racing. On Thursday, July 27, fairgoers are invited to attend harness racing in the M&T Bank Grandstand with a 7 p.m. post time. The race program will headline four $110,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund final events for 3-year-olds and program staples like the Governor’s Cup, which features some of Delaware’s top horses, ages three years and older. Governor John Carney will be on hand to present the trophy to the winner.

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Governor Carney joins DNREC Secretary Garvin to present DNREC Awards in State Fair ceremony

HARRINGTON – Today at the Delaware State Fair, Governor John Carney and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin honored two dozen Delawareans and groups of all ages for their environmental leadership, innovation, and dedication.

“This afternoon, we recognized a broad cross section of Delawareans who contribute to the conservation of our natural resources and the stewardship of our environment,” said Secretary Garvin. “We congratulate these volunteers, organizers, photographers, and anglers – conservationists and environmentalists all – for their work that brought us here today, and we look forward to their future contributions.”

Honorees were seven Young Environmentalists of the Year, eight individuals and four groups recognized as Volunteers of the Year, three Youth Fishing Tournament winners, winners of this year’s Hunting and Fishing Photo Contests, and four winners of the new Delaware Watersheds Photo Contest, plus Best in Show.

“These awards underscore how every Delawarean can have an impact in protecting and conserving our natural resources, while also raising awareness for environmental stewardship,” Governor Carney said. “I’m also inspired by the award winners’ dedication to making our state a better place to live through their time and talents, and proud to recognize them for their environmental leadership and innovation.”

The complete list of the 2019 DNREC Awards recipients:

DNREC’s Young Environmentalists of the Year

Elementary School

As second graders at Dover’s W. Reily Brown Elementary School, Conner Bradley and Lily Gatti, both 8 years old, are leaders on their school’s Eco-Team. They share a passion for our natural environment and serve as peer educators for their classmates. Conner has also taken on independent research projects, such as studying strawberry propagation and soil health. Lily is a strong advocate for composting and keeping our environment trash-free, in both her school and community. In May, when the U.S. Department of Education recognized the Caesar Rodney School District with a Green Ribbon School award, Conner and Lily both spoke about their environmental concerns and commitments before a large audience at their school that included Governor Carney, state legislators, school officials, and media who attended.

Middle School

Jade Carter, 13, an 8th grader at Sussex Academy in Georgetown, founded the first middle school chapter of the Surfrider Foundation in the state. The Surfrider organization is dedicated to protecting and enjoying the oceans, waves, and beaches through volunteer activities including regular beach cleanups. An avid volunteer, she is currently planning fundraisers and cleanups for the chapter. Jade has also channeled her passion for volunteerism and environmental projects into starting a recycling program at her school, including recycling bins specially decorated to draw attention to the importance of recycling.

High School (tie)

A new graduate of Newark Charter School with plans to attend the University of Delaware for environmental studies, Sabin Lowe, 19, of Newark, has devoted 5-10 hours a week for the past two years to projects that improve Delaware’s environment. Sabin’s work includes lobbying and even writing legislation that includes a proposed ban on use of plastic straws, for which he is working to gain sponsorship in the Delaware General Assembly. Sabin advocates for reducing the use of straws and other plastics in restaurants, and has so far persuaded 15 restaurants to adopt a straw-on-request policy, reducing the City of Newark’s straw usage by an estimated 20,000 straws a day.

Cole Palmer, 17, of Greenwood, has been an active volunteer stream monitor for six years with the Delaware Nature Society’s Stream Watch, performing monthly testing of five streams in the Mispillion Watershed, and recording more than 18,000 observations and analyses. Cole has also organized a number of community cleanups, including a DelDOT Adopt-a-Highway cleanup that collected more than 2,100 pounds of trash. This past year, he has leveraged his 103 volunteer hours into nearly 400 hours of community service with the help of friends and family. A past Young Environmentalist honoree in partnership with his sister Samantha, Cole is a member of Eagle Scout Troop 116 in Milford and a junior at Delaware State University’s Early College High School, working towards a degree in natural resources for fisheries management.

Special Recognition

At ages 6 and 8 and in the first and second grade respectively, sisters Caroline and Isabella Nacchia of Frankford are already budding entomologists. Caroline is passionate about Monarch butterfly conservation, working tirelessly each summer since she was three to raise Monarchs from caterpillars to chrysalis to butterflies. Last summer, she raised about 350 butterflies. Butterflies often come to her in the garden and perch on her finger, for which her friends have dubbed her “the Butterfly Whisperer.” As a beekeeper, Isabella understands the importance of bees, is eager to help them, and inspires her peers to do the same. She can identify larva, worker bees (females) and drones (males), and honey, nectar and queen cups, and is comfortable handling the inhabitants of her hives.

The Young Environmentalist of the Year Awards are presented annually to Delaware students who have worked to protect, restore, or enhance our state’s natural resources. For more information, contact Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902, or joanna.wilson@delaware.gov.

DNREC’s Outstanding Volunteers of the Year

Youth

Joshua Cogliano has been a constant participant for several years in Brandywine Zoo educational programs, camps, volunteer opportunities, and now, at 17, internships. An early high school graduate who happens to be on the Autism spectrum, Joshua makes sure he is involved at every possible point in the zoo’s public initiatives. The zoo is honored to have been a part of Joshua’s childhood (camp), teenage service years (volunteering), and the beginning of his career (internship).

Administration & Coordination

Ann Hilaman volunteers in the Auburn Valley State Park office on a regular basis. After offering to help out because there was no administrative assistant, Ann does the work of a paid staff member, while also serving as a docent in the 1897 Marshall Mansion.

Conservation Group

The Judge Morris Environmental Stewardship group, led by Terri Tipping, meets every Thursday to pull and eradicate invasive plants within the Judge Morris area at White Clay Creek State Park, and invites other park users to join them. They started working initially on the park trail and have expanded into the interior forest and out into the field buffers. The group is dedicated, open to learning about newly-observed invasives and techniques for removing them, and has members who have applied for pesticide application certification.

Education Group

Veteran anglers and fishing instructors Ed O’Donnell and Sam Palermo volunteer to lead and support every fishing program held in White Clay Creek State Park, including fly fishing classes, Children with Challenges fishing, staff training, and fishing programs with campers and visitors.

Environmental Conservation

As a volunteer at White Clay Creek State Park, Greg Wein goes above and beyond, with his willingness and creative energy to do what it takes to accomplish trail projects, as well as his critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Environmental Education

Diane Twining volunteers 45-50 hours a week in Trap Pond State Park’s main office, where she is extremely well-informed and helpful with park programs. Diane is dedicated to the educational value of Trap Pond, and genuinely loves the park and its natural resources, embodying all the best qualities of park staff.

Historical Conservation

Valley State Park volunteer Robert “Bob” Koury maintains the very popular miniature steam railroad, keeping it operational. Bob created and partially financed a train maintenance shed with entry track, making volunteer work easier and safer. He removed and replaced the back curve of the track, installed drains and catch basins, inspected, replaced and/or rebuilt all trucks under all rolling stock, installed drains and boards along the track, and repaired most of the track switches. He donated a cement mixer and creatively modified it to shift and wash track ballast. Bob also volunteers for all Steamin’ Days events. His leadership has contributed to the continual running of the miniature railroad, something DNREC’s Delaware state parks could not afford to do independently. Over the past two years, Bob has donated 800 volunteer hours, and this year is on track for another 400. His commitment has preserved the legacy of the Marshall family’s miniature railroad for the enjoyment of families for years to come.

Historical Education

Marc Krisch has been an active volunteer with Fort Delaware State Park for several years. Marc gives his time to come in and help out not just on weekends, but is also willing to take vacation from his work to participate in trainings. In addition, he has invested a lot of his own time and money to help ensure he makes an excellent impression as a period-costumed historical interpreter at Fort Delaware.

Outdoor Recreation

After becoming Bellevue State Park’s disc golf course pro in 2017, Kevin Nemeth spearheaded the creation of a sustainable plan to redevelop the course, including creating more than 10 new holes and eliminating all holes located in the central meadow of the Bellevue Track. Kevin contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to complete the project, recruit other volunteers, and coordinate with both disc golfers and Park staff to ensure that the project was completed to the satisfaction of the Division of Parks & Recreation and course users. As a result of his efforts, Bellevue’s disc golf course has seen its highest number of visitors in many years, and has hosted one large tournament, as well as new weekly doubles events. In addition, Kevin’s work demonstrated responsible and proactive environmental stewardship through the creation of a much larger and contiguous Bellevue Track meadow habitat.

Research

Daniel Lawson volunteered nearly 60 hours to assist Division of Fish & Wildlife staff with waterfowl trapping, banding, and data collection. The data are used in coordination with the Atlantic Flyway Council and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to set waterfowl season hunting regulations. Without Daniel’s help, the Division’s banding efforts would have been greatly reduced.

Research Group

Conservationists Charles and Kathy Shattuck have provided gourds and poles for the purple martin nesting population at Bellevue State Park. Charles checks the status of the eggs and hatchlings on a weekly basis during breeding season, gives interpretive programs about purple martins for visitors, coordinates with the volunteer bird walk leader, and works with a bird bander to place metal bands on new purple martins, to track the birds returning to Bellevue to breed. Their efforts have helped increase the park’s population of this threatened species from less than a dozen to more than 100 birds in the past few years.

Friends Group

The Friends of Killens Pond provide scholarship money for Killens Summer Camp programs, allowing children who would otherwise not be able to afford it the opportunity to attend summer camps. They also maintain all of the trails within the park, keeping them beautiful for visitors. This past year, the group purchased volunteer insurance to cover all state parks volunteers, providing protection to all of our interns, friends group members, and individual long and short-term volunteers within the parks.

DNREC offers a wide range of year-round volunteer opportunities for all ages. To learn about how you or your group can volunteer, visit dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/volunteer-with-dnrec/.

Youth Fishing Tournament

First place

For an amazing third year in a row, Elise Britton, 15, of Middletown, was the overall statewide winner, as well as the New Castle County winner at Lums Pond, with a total weight of 24.17 pounds that included a 9.6-pound carp, the largest fish caught in this year’s tournament on June 1.

Second place

At the Akridge Scout Reservation pond, Kirra Noble, 9, of Frederica, was the Kent County winner and second place statewide, for catching a total of 8.02 pounds of fish.

Third place

Luke Hitchens, 12, of Dagsboro, was Sussex County winner for two years in a row, and third statewide, with a total of 5.39 pounds of fish caught in Ingrams Pond near Millsboro.

Held annually on the first Saturday in June, the Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Youth Fishing Tournament was established in 1986 to introduce young people to the sport of fishing and to teach the catch-and-release approach to conservation.

Hunting and Fishing Photo Contests

Harry Hoch Jr. of Greenwood, won the 2018/19 Delaware Hunting Photo Contest for his submission of “Hunting Memories,” featuring his father, Dr. Harry L. Hoch and friend Bill Cole, after a successful hunt near Harrington. His photo will appear on the cover of the 2019/2020 Delaware Hunting & Trapping guide.

Israel Mora of Wilmington won the 2018 Delaware Fishing Photo Contest for his photo titled “The Fish of the 10,000 Casts,” featuring Mora’s son Bryan holding his tiger musky catch from Brandywine River. His photo is featured on the cover of the 2019 Delaware Fishing Guide.

For information on the Division of Fish & Wildlife’s upcoming 2019/20 contests, click Fish & Wildlife photo contest.

Delaware Watersheds Photo Contest

Natural Landscapes of Delaware

First place: Bernard Dennis of Millsboro, “Beautiful Countryside off Wilkins Road in Lincoln”

Second place: Zachary Williams of Odenton, Md., “Duck Stand in Bombay Hook Refuge”

Third place: Joe Hengel of Milton, “Gordons Pond Trail at Cape Henlopen State Park”

Natural Waterscapes of Delaware

First place: Ryan Shlan of Magnolia, for his photo, “Near Little Creek Wildlife Area”

Second place: Zachary Williams, “Woodland Beach Boat Ramp at Sunset”

Third place: Sean Griffith of Lewes, “The Point of Delaware” (Cape Henlopen)

Native Wildlife of Delaware

First place: Kimberly Barksdale of Wilmington, “Snowy Egrets Fighting”

Second place: Bill Corbett of Wilmington, “Dunlins at Prime Hook”

Third place: Nancy Hedgespeth of Dagsboro, “Brown Thrasher Defending the Nest from a Black Rat Snake” (near Trussum Pond)

Agriculture in Delaware

First place: Zachary Williams, “Cornfield in Magnolia at Sunset”

Second place: Joe Hengel, “Sittin’ Pretty” (Argos Corner)

Third place: Christine Moore of Lincoln, “Soybean Field in Lincoln”

DNREC’s annual Delaware Watersheds Photo Contest portrays the beauty of Delaware’s diverse environment while acting as a vivid reminder that everything happening on land within the state’s watersheds also directly affects what happens in our waterways and to our wildlife. The contest was open to all photographers, with images from any of Delaware’s watersheds accepted as entries. Judges were looking for striking photographic images of Delaware’s landscapes, waterscapes, agriculture, and native wildlife. To see the winners and finalists, visit delawarewatersheds.org/2019-delaware-watersheds-photo-contest/.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902


DNREC to host Delaware Duck and Goose Calling Contest July 20 at Delaware State Fair

HARRINGTON – DNREC’s Division of Community Affairs will host the first-ever Delaware Duck and Goose Calling Contest from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, July 20 at the Delaware State Fair in Harrington. The contest will have two levels: junior level for ages 15 and younger, and senior level for ages 16 and older.

Registration for participants in junior and senior levels will be open from 10:30-11:45 a.m. at Hertrich Plaza in front of the Grandstand, with the contest held at the same location. A draped area near the stage will be cordoned off for competitors to practice their calls.

The contest will consist of a three-round competition, with calling routines of 60 seconds per duck and goose caller. Trophies will be presented for 1st through 3rd place in each contest.

For more information about DNREC at the Delaware State Fair, visit https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/at-the-state-fair/.

Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 196


Visit DNREC at the 2019 Delaware State Fair!

HARRINGTON (July 17, 2019) – With the Delaware State Fair throwing open the gates tomorrow for its annual fun-filled 10-day run (Thursday, July 18 thru Saturday, July 27), DNREC invites visitors to explore the newly-renovated and air-conditioned DNREC Building at the corner of Holloway Avenue and East Rider Road.

New displays include a large touch tank to bring visitors up close to native aquatic life, and a shiny new Airstream trailer that is the gathering spot for fairgoers to learn more about what DNREC’s beautiful Delaware state parks offer. Through displays, hands-on activities, and educational games, fairgoers of all ages can also learn more about the science behind the work DNREC does to protect the environment and public health, and to conserve our natural resources.

Along with the displays and informational booths in the main DNREC building, the DNREC on Stage Theater will host a wide variety of fun, interactive, and educational programs and activities from state parks, nature centers, and environmental partner groups statewide. Some activities will take place elsewhere on the fairgrounds, such as the Delaware Duck and Goose Calling Contest July 20 and the annual DNREC Awards July 25.

Fairgoers are invited to see this year’s winners in DNREC’s annual Delaware Watersheds Photo Contest and vote for “Best in Show.” Certificates will be presented to the winners in natural landscapes, waterscapes, native wildlife, and agriculture photo categories, and the overall winner will be announced at the DNREC Awards ceremony.

Other events will be held on the DNREC Porch, such as colonial games with First State Heritage Park and – new this year – a huge sand sculpture display next to the porch. Also new, visitors are invited to stroll across the street to check out a variety of DNREC Natural Resources Police and Emergency Response equipment on the DNREC equipment lot.

Admission to all DNREC programs is free. The building is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the 10 days of the fair. Stop by daily to learn more about what we have to offer – and discover unique new places you and your family can visit!

For more information, please visit https://dnrec.alpha.delaware.gov/at-the-state-fair/.

DNREC on Stage and More Schedule

Thursday, July 18

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Who’s in the Bay Today? Learn about aquatic species that live in the Delaware Bay and meet some of them up close! (From the DuPont Nature Center)
  • Noon – 6 p.m. Delaware Invasive Species Council (DNREC Partner Booth)
  • 1 p.m. Cutting the Ribbon! Governor John Carney and DNREC Secretary Shawn M. Garvin will cut the ribbon on the newly-renovated, air-conditioned DNREC Building! (Front entrance)
  • 1 – 7 p.m. Sculptures in the Sand! Watch as skilled sculptors transform a pile of sand into fantastical new forms! (Next to the DNREC Porch)

Friday, July 19

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Travel Back to Civil War Days! Costumed interpreters invite children to play games and try on period costumes, then march in children’s infantry drills! (From Fort Delaware State Park)
  • Noon – 3 p.m. Make Your Own Bluebird Box! Kids, make your own bluebird box to take home and paint! (DNREC Porch)
  • Noon – 6 p.m. The Nature Conservancy (DNREC Partner Booth)

Saturday, July 20

  • Noon – 6 p.m. Aquatic Ecosystems! Learn about the unique ecosystems of Delaware’s Piedmont and Coastal Plain! (From White Clay Creek and Lums Pond State Parks)
  • Noon – 6 p.m. Duck Decoy Demo! Duck decoy carving by Harold Van Dyck (Theater back room)
  • Noon – 4 p.m. Duck, Duck, Goose! Show your skills in DNREC’s Duck and Goose Calling Contest! Registration: 10:30-11:45 a.m. (Hertrich Plaza in front of the Grandstand)
  • Noon – 6 p.m. Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park (DNREC Partner Booth)

Sunday, July 21

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Bringing the Zoo to You! Meet a few of the residents of Delaware’s very own zoo and learn about where and how they live. (From the Brandywine Zoo)
  • Noon – 6 p.m. Delaware Native Plant Society (DNREC Partner Booth)

Monday, July 22 – Senior Day

  • 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. DNREC Weatherization Assistance Program (DNREC Porch)
  • Noon – 3 p.m. Beach Comes to the Fair! Live horseshoe crabs and other beach creatures travel inland to DNREC’s fair building to meet visitors. (From Cape Henlopen State Park)
  • Noon – 3 p.m. Friends of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (DNREC Partner Booth)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Friends of Killens Pond State Park (DNREC Partner Booth)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Wacky Worms! Who knew worms could be so much fun? We’ll bring our worm bin to discuss the lives of worms and why they are important to us – and you can join hands-on activities to explore worms up close! (From Bellevue State Park)

Tuesday, July 23 – Kids Day

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Reptiles and Amphibians of Delaware! Meet the often-unnoticed creatures that crawl, hop, swim and slither in our wetlands, woods and waterways. (Killens Pond State Park)
  • Noon – 3 p.m. Friends of Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge (DNREC Partner Booth)
  • Noon – 3 p.m. Make Your Own Bluebird Box! Kids, make your own bluebird box to take home and paint! (DNREC Porch)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Experience Colonial Games and Toys! Costumed interpreters invite visitors to play games and check out toys from Colonial times! (From First State Heritage Park, DNREC Porch)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Story Time at the Bay! Join DuPont Nature Center educators to read stories and do activities about aquatic species found in the Delaware Bay! (From the DuPont Nature Center)

Wednesday, July 24 – Armed Forces Day/Military Appreciation Day

  • 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. DNREC Weatherization Assistance Program (DNREC Porch)
  • Noon – 3 p.m. Animal Adaptations! Discover how animals adapt to an urban environment through hands-on activities with Park Naturalists. (From Alapocas Run State Park/Wilmington State Parks)
  • Noon – 6 p.m. Fort Miles Historical Association (DNREC Partner Booth)

Thursday, July 25 – Governors Day/Senior Day

  • 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Volunteer Opportunities with DNREC (DNREC Partner Booth)
  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join DNREC’s Volunteer Olympics! Get a taste of some of the volunteer opportunities DNREC offers by competing in fast and fun games including beach grass planting and horseshoe crab counting … with prizes.
  • Noon – 6 p.m. World of Decoys by Ed Lewandowski (Theater back room)
  • 1 – 2 p.m. DNREC Awards at Mann Tharp Pavilion! DNREC’s Young Environmentalists, Youth Fishing Tournament winners, Volunteers of the Year, and DNREC photo contest winners will be recognized by Governor Carney and Secretary Garvin during the fair’s annual Governor’s Day.
  • 1 – 7 p.m. Sculptures in the Sand! Watch as skilled sculptors transform a pile of sand into fantastical new forms! (Next to the DNREC Porch)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Helping Wildlife! Meet wildlife rehabilitators, and learn what you should do when you encounter wildlife needing help. (Delaware Council of Wildlife Rehabilitators and Educators)

Friday, July 26

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Creating Power through Natural Resources! See how water creates power by watching a steam engine in action, then create your own pinwheel to harness wind and make energy (From Auburn Valley State Park)
  • Noon – 3 p.m. Make Your Own Bluebird Box! Kids, make your own bluebird box to take home and paint! (DNREC Porch)
  • Noon – 6 p.m. Quality Deer Management Association (DNREC Partner Booth)
  • 4:30 – 9 p.m. How Does Your Deer Measure Up? Learn how Boone & Crockett’s white-tailed deer scoring system works, see some examples of mounted record-holders and get your own evaluated. (DNREC Porch)

Saturday, July 27

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Creatures & History of Indian River Inlet! Participants will learn about the history of this dynamic waterway, its role in our maritime history, and how it impacts the local ecology of Delaware’s inland bays. (From Delaware Seashore State Park/Indian River Life-Saving Station)
  • Noon – 6 p.m. Delaware Envirothon (DNREC Partner Booth)

CONTACT: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 49, No. 194


Make an ‘ECOnnection’ with DNREC at this year’s Delaware State Fair

Harrington – With the 2018 Delaware State Fair throwing open the gates tomorrow for its fun-filled 10-day run (Thursday, July 19 thru Saturday, July 28), DNREC is again right in the middle of the annual extravaganza – with an array of environmental displays in the Department’s climate-controlled State Fair building, and game prizes to be won by kids of all ages for showing their knowledge about the state’s natural resources and environment.

Under this year’s theme, “DNREC – Your ECOnnection,” DNREC’s displays link visitors to environmentally-friendly programs and ideas. Fairgoers will find information and activities from DNREC’s divisions and programs. Featured this year at the fair: DNREC’s Energy House and an interactive watershed display demonstrating how water flows and wetlands hold water that includes a 3-D map of stormwater runoff from a suburban yard draining into Delaware’s wetlands, rivers, streams, bay and the ocean. State Fair visitors young and older also are invited to play DNREC’s scavenger hunt game for discovering eco-friendly facts about Delaware that can be found within the DNREC building, and to pick from a wide range of prizes after their successful “hunt.” Visitors also can “get a charge” from DNREC’s Division of Climate, Coastal, & Energy’s mobile solar panel display and charging station, known as T-Rex, located in front of the DNREC Building July 19-24.

Meanwhile, the DNREC On Stage theater offers a preview of programs from parks, nature centers and other facilities statewide owned and operated by the Department’s Divisions of Fish & Wildlife, Climate, Coastal & Energy, Parks & Recreation, and Watershed Stewardship. Stop by daily to learn more about what we have to offer – and discover unique new places you and your family can visit!

ECOnnect with DNREC!

Fairgoers of all ages can learn more about the science behind the work DNREC does in protecting the environment and Delaware’s natural resources. DNREC’s building includes displays, hands-on activities and educational games. At DNREC on Stage, in the building’s air-conditioned theater, they will also see live animal shows and presentations ranging from maritime history to geology to Delaware’s unique plants and animals. DNREC’s building is located on the fair grounds’ East Rider Road – admission is free and the building is open from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily during the fair. For more information, please the DNREC At the State Fair web page.

DNREC on Stage Schedule

Thursday, July 19

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Build Your Own Horseshoe Crab! Kids of all ages are invited to color and create their own model of a horseshoe crab, and learn more about these unique aquatic creatures. (From the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve)

Friday, July 20

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Creating Power through Natural Resources! See how water creates power by watching a steam engine in action, then create your own pinwheel to harness wind and make energy (From Auburn Heights Preserve)

Saturday, July 21

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Wacky Worms! Learn about the lives of worms and why they are important to us, by exploring worms up close with hands-on activities. (From Bellevue State Park)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Geology Rocks! See the difference between a metamorphic rock and an igneous rock. Magnifying lenses, magnets and minerals are all part of the hands-on experience. (From White Clay Creek State Park)

Sunday, July 22

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Bringing the Zoo to You! Meet a few of the residents of Delaware’s very own zoo and learn about where and how they live. (From the Brandywine Zoo)

Monday, July 23 – Senior Day

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Travel Back to the Civil War Days! Interpreters in period costume invite children to play games and try on period costumes, then march in children’s infantry drills. (From Fort Delaware State Park)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Beach Comes to the Fair! Live horseshoe crabs and other beach creatures travel inland to DNREC’s fair building to meet visitors. (From Cape Henlopen State Park)

Tuesday, July 24 – Kids Day

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Horseshoe Crabs and Skins, Scat and Tracks! Two fascinating programs about Delaware’s resident living fossil – the horseshoe crab – and a close-up look at identifying animals by their tracks, scat and skins. (From the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Experience Colonial Games and Toys! Costumed interpreters invite visitors to play games and check out toys from Colonial times, on the DNREC building’s porch. (From First State Heritage Park) Also, get a close-up look at one of DNREC’s environmental Emergency Response Team vehicles.
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Creatures & History of Indian River Inlet! Participants will learn about the history of this dynamic waterway, its role in our maritime history, and how it impacts the local ecology of Delaware’s inland bays. (From Delaware Seashore State Park/Indian River Life-Saving Station)

Wednesday, July 25 – Armed Forces Day/Military Appreciation Day

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Animal Adaptations! Discover how animals adapt to an urban environment through hands-on activities with Park Naturalists. (From Alapocas Run State Park/Wilmington State Parks)

Thursday, July 26 – Governors Day/Senior Day

  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Join DNREC’s Volunteer Olympics! Get a taste of some of the volunteer opportunities DNREC offers by competing in fast and fun games including beach grass planting and horseshoe crab counting … with prizes.
  • 1 – 2 p.m. DNREC Awards at Mann Tharp Pavilion! DNREC’s Young Environmentalists, Youth Fishing Tournament winners, Wetland Warriors, Volunteers of the Year, and DNREC photo contest winners will be recognized.
  • 2 p.m. Meet DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police! See a special presentation by one of F&W NRP’s specially-trained K-9 teams in the theater room. Also, get a close-up look at a DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resource Police vehicle and marine patrol vessel outside from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

Friday, July 27

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Who’s in the Bay Today? Learn about aquatic species that live in the Delaware Bay and meet some up close! (From the DuPont Nature Center)
  • 3 – 6 p.m. Reptiles and Amphibians of Delaware! Meet the often-unnoticed creatures that crawl, hop, swim and slither in our wetlands, woods and waterways. (Killens Pond State Park)
  • 4:30 – 9 p.m. How Does Your Deer Measure Up? Learn how Boone & Crockett’s white-tailed deer scoring system works, see some examples of mounted record-holders and get your own evaluated. (On the DNREC Building porch)

Saturday, July 28

  • Noon – 3 p.m. Wildlife in the Park and in YOUR Backyard! Meet a few local animals and explore different pelts and skulls of animals found in your neighborhood.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902