Enjoy trout season while maintaining a safe distance from other anglers and fishing less-crowded areas

Downstate ponds open; upstate streams opening early for anglers next week

DOVER, Del. – Take advantage of the early opening of the upstate trout season for adult anglers on Tuesday, March 31 to help minimize crowds and accommodate responsible outdoor recreation during the current coronavirus (COVID-19) period. Anglers are reminded to practice safe social distancing – a minimum of six feet, or about the length of some fishing rods – and to choose less-crowded areas to cast their lines into the streams.

Getting outdoors is a great way to reduce stress and enjoy fresh air to help physical and mental well-being, however, everyone is reminded to be considerate of others and to act responsibly. DNREC’s Natural Resources Police will have a presence at the streams to monitor fishing and angler activity for crowding and appropriate distancing.

Upstate trout season will open in seven designated trout streams in northern New Castle County for only youth anglers under age 16 on Monday, March 30 at 7 a.m., followed by the opening of trout season for all anglers on Tuesday, March 31 starting one half-hour before sunrise. Youth anglers can be accompanied by adults on the March 30 youth day, but only youth can fish that day.

White Clay Creek, Red Clay Creek, Christina Creek, Pike Creek, Beaver Run, Wilson Run, and Mill Creek will be stocked with thousands of rainbow and brown trout, including some trophy-sized fish. Trout stocking is currently planned to continue weekly in April at White Clay Creek and periodically at the other streams prior to or until Thursday, April 30.

Downstate trout season remains open at Tidbury Pond near Dover and Newton Pond near Greenwood, both of which opened March 7.

All plans are subject to change based on health and safety considerations and any changes will be announced.

Trout anglers planning to fish the New Castle County trout streams should note the following rules and regulations:

  • Stocked trout streams are currently closed to all fishing through Sunday, March 29 to accommodate trout stocking, eliminate incidental hooking of trout, and allow stocked trout time to adjust to their new waters, all done to improve trout fishing when the season opens.
  • A Delaware fishing license is required, unless an angler is exempt.
  • A Delaware trout stamp is required until June 30, unless an angler is exempt.
  • Following the opening youth day start at 7 a.m. on March 30, trout fishing at these streams is open one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset, unless otherwise restricted by area rules.
  • The daily possession limit is six trout, except inside or within 50 feet of the designated fly-fishing-only section of White Clay Creek, where the daily possession limit is four trout.

Managed by the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, proceeds from the purchase of Delaware trout stamps are used to help purchase next year’s trout for stocking. The popular fishery also is supported by federal Sport Fish Restoration funds administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that are generated from anglers purchasing fishing equipment.

Delaware fishing licenses and trout stamps are sold online and by license agents statewide that remain open (license sales are suspended at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson and Robbins Building in Dover during the coronavirus outbreak). To purchase a license online or to find a participating agent (agents should be contacted to determine if they are open), visit dnrec.delaware.gov. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

Additional information about Delaware Trout Season is available online. For general information on fishing in Delaware, check out the 2020 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available from license agents that remain open.

About DNREC

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control protects and manages the state’s natural resources, protects public health, provides outdoor recreational opportunities, and educates Delawareans about the environment. The Division of Fish and Wildlife conserves and manages Delaware’s fish and wildlife and their habitats, and provides fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating access on nearly 65,000 acres of public land. For more information, visit the website and connect with DNREC on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn.

Media Contact: Nikki Lavoie, nikki.lavoie@delaware.gov

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Nominations Sought for Delaware’s Top Youth Volunteers

NEW CASTLE (Jan. 6, 2020) – Nominations for the Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards, which recognize the contributions of Delaware’s volunteers age 17 and younger in their communities, are being accepted by the State Office of Volunteerism now through Sunday, March 1, 2020. Award recipients will be honored at a special ceremony on Wednesday, May 6, 2020, at Polytech Adult Education Conference Center in Woodside.

“Every day, I see the passion and determination that young people across the state bring to the volunteer projects and the nonprofit organizations they embrace,” Governor John Carney said. “In meeting the needs of their communities, they bring a fresh viewpoint and a willingness to serve. I encourage Delawareans to take the time to nominate a young volunteer who is making a difference in the lives of others.”

The Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards, presented by the State Office of Volunteerism, recognize youth volunteers for their significant contributions to the state and its citizens. Volunteer efforts must have been performed during 2019, although prior volunteer activity can also be highlighted to show long-term commitment. To be eligible the nominated individuals and group members must be age 17 or younger.

“I am inspired by and grateful for the innovation and commitment that I see in Delaware’s young volunteers,” said Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Dr. Kara Odom Walker, a practicing family physician and a regular volunteer. “Through volunteerism and service, Delawareans of all ages are strengthening the fabric of our communities, our quality of life and our connections to each other. Please join us in nominating young volunteers who are making a difference by giving back.”

The nomination form is available on Volunteer.Delaware.gov. Nominators may also request a nomination form by emailing dhss_VolunteerDelaware@delaware.gov or calling 302-857-5014. Prior to submission, you may email the nomination form for review and feedback.

Nominations must be delivered or postmarked by Sunday, March 1, 2020, to the State Office of Volunteerism, Attn: Governor’s Volunteer Service Awards, c/o Tina Gary, Williams State Service Center, 805 River Road, Dover, DE 19901 or emailed to dhss_VolunteerDelaware@delaware.gov.

The Governor’s Youth Volunteer Service Awards are sponsored by the Office of the Governor and are coordinated by the State Office of Volunteerism and the Governor’s Commission on Community and Volunteer Service. The State Office of Volunteerism is part of the Department of Health and Social Services’ Division of State Service Centers.

For more information about the awards or volunteer opportunities, go to Volunteer.Delaware.gov, or contact April Willey, Volunteer Service Administrator, at 302-857-5006 or via email at april.willey@delaware.gov or Tina Gary, Volunteer Coordinator at 302-857-5014 or via email at tina.gary@delaware.gov.

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The Department of Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of life of Delaware’s citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.


DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation honors members of the Youth Conservation Corps

LEWES – Joined by DNREC Deputy Secretary Lisa Borin-Ogden, Division of Parks & Recreation Director Ray Bivens, DNREC staff and volunteers, the 65 members of the Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) were honored for their service over the past eight weeks. Participants have each completed over 200 hours of conservation and environmentally focused work since June. In addition to practical job skills, YCC members build self-confidence, learn the importance of team work, and become engaged with their communities.

More than 200 applications were received for the 2019 Delaware State Parks Youth Conservation Corps, which provides high quality summer employment and environmental opportunities for young people between 14-21, and 20-26 for group leaders.

“Thank you for choosing DNREC in your pursuit of civic engagement and to gain practical job experiences and learning opportunities,” said DNREC Deputy Secretary Lisa Borin-Ogden. “I encourage you to take your new skills and positive attitudes with you as you move forward with your education and career.”

Individuals with an interest in participating in the 2020 program should visit destateparks.com/Volunteer/YCC. More information will become available this winter.

Media Contact: Jayme Gravell, DNREC Division of Parks & Recreation, 302-739-9112 or jayme.gravell@delaware.gov


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


Delaware State Fair connects fair-goers with Delaware agriculture

DOVER, Del. — The countdown is on for many Delaware youth and adult exhibitors as they get ready to showcase their agricultural exhibits at this year’s Delaware State Fair. Along with rides, food, and games, the state fair is a great opportunity for fair-goers to learn more about agriculture – Delaware’s top industry.

Boy watering his show pig between shows“By far, Delaware has one of the best fairs in the United States and with each year it only gets better. I encourage everyone to join our staff to celebrate the history and the accomplishments of 100th Delaware State Fair,” said Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse. “This is an opportunity for Delawareans and visitors to learn about Delaware agriculture and all it does for our consumers and our economy. Take time to walk through the livestock barns to see the wide variety of animals that our young people are showing. Take time to ask questions and learn where your food comes from. Getting to see a dairy cow up close helps make the connection that milk comes from a cow.”

More than ninety-nine percent of Delaware’s 2,300 farms are family-owned. Delaware farmers produce a variety of agricultural products on more than 525,000 acres of farmland, including corn, soybeans, wheat, poultry and livestock, and fruits and vegetables. All of 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 all the way back to the 4-H/FFA Building (The Centre) and The Delmarva Building.

“We are excited to bring a new educational experience for visitors in the Department’s Agriculture Commodities and Education Building. So many people do not understand that their food really begins its journey on a family farm ─ not in the grocery store.” said DDA spokesperson Stacey Hofmann. “We have a really vibrant display that’s larger than life that will help start the conversation about how food gets from the farm to the table – whether your 5, 50, or 100.”

If you love trivia, the Delaware Department of Agriculture’s Farms and Food game show is always a hit. Loaded with brand-new questions, bring your family and friends by the Delaware Agriculture Commodities and Education to have fun testing your Delaware agriculture knowledge.

Educational demonstrations will be held at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. from the first day of fair, through the last Friday. Topics include:

• Thursday, July 18: Utopia Fruita Snacks for All; One Health: How the Health of Humans, Animals and the Environment are Interconnected
• Friday, July 19: Drying Herbs; Dish on Delmarva Poultry
• Saturday, July 20: Making Straw Bracelets; Watermelon Demo
• Sunday, July 21: Butter Churning; Cooking with Honey
• Monday, July 22: Worm Composting; Bee Talk
• Tuesday, July 23: Is It a Wasp or A Bee?; Watermelon Demo
• Wednesday, July 24: Heat to Toe Avocado Show; LeadDelaware Class 5
• Thursday, July 25: Trees are Terrific; Dish on Delmarva Poultry
• Friday, July 26: Butter Churning; Honey Extraction

This year, Delaware’s Department of Agriculture, Delaware’s Division of Public Health, and Delaware’s Division of Fish and Wildlife are teaming up during State Fair to educate the public about rabies prevention. There will be a hands-on educational exhibit in the Delaware Agriculture Commodities and Education Building the last five days, as well as the presentation “One Health: How the Health of Humans, Animals and the Environment are Interconnected” on Thursday, July 18 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

Rabies is an infectious disease affecting the nervous system of humans and other mammals. Rabies is endemic to the East Coast, but it has become more of an issue as development encroaches on the habitat of wild animals. Infection can occur through the bite or scratch of an infected animal or if saliva from such an animal gets into the eyes, nose, mouth or an opening in the skin. Fortunately, rabies is also almost completely preventable.

“In the past, when wild animals got rabies, they would typically die and no one would really know about it because they were in their own habitat. Every once in a while, a rabid animal would come in contact with a pet or person, and then the individual would go through the series of rabies shots or a pet would be quarantined,” said Dr. Karen Lopez, Deputy State Veterinarian. “But today, these animals are making it into our developments more frequently because we are now living in their backyard. Typical animal behavior is no longer present when a wild or stray domestic animal is infected with rabies. We want to make sure owners are vaccinating their pets, horses, and livestock. It is also important for everyone to know what to do if they get bitten or scratched by an animal capable of carrying rabies. If transmission does occur, rabies is considered a fatal disease.”

On the grounds, fairgoers can travel back in time and revisit the history of Delaware agriculture through the Antique Machinery Showcase held on July 20 in the Quillen Arena. This event features antiques dating back to the early 1900s, and even some before then. With antique tractors, broom makers, craftsmen, and more, there is something for all ages to experience.

Attendees can also get a glimpse of the equine industry throughout 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 25, fair-goers are invited to attend harness racing in the M&T Bank Grandstand with a 7 p.m. post time. With approximately $600,000 in total purses, the race program will be headlined by four $100,000 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund final events for 3-year-olds as well as 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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Media Contact: Stacey Hofmann, 302-698-4542, stacey.hofmann@delaware.gov