2 DOVER DAYS 2019 DOVER DAYS 2019 3 Dover Days Dover gets ready to party Contact Us By Jeff Brown Phone: (302) 678-3616 [email protected] Fax: (302) 678-8291 @DoPoJeff A popular balloon ride will be returning in 2019 as well as Jim Lee............................................ Editor some new elements as Dover residents celebrate the 86th an- (302) 346-5418 nual Dover Days. [email protected] This year will see a series of events that not only will take place at traditional venues in downtown Dover, but will en- Craig O’Donnell........Content Producer compass an observance of the 75th anniversary of D-Day in (302) 346-5441 World War II and three NASCAR races. [email protected] “Every year we try to bring new elements to Dover Days to Brian Shane.............. Graphic Designer keep the festival fresh and exciting,” John Doerfler, sales and events manager for Kent County Tourism, said. DOVER DAYS “We’ve also lined up some new entertainment, including is created by GateHouse Media, LLC. some pirate shows, magic shows and reenactment groups.” Reproduction in whole or in part without The hot-air balloon ride, which was first featured at Dover prior written permission is strictly pro- Days in 2000, will take visitors up into the sky above the city, hibited. Opinions expressed in the publi- giving them a unique angle from which to view the center of town. A fee is charged, and the ride is subject to changes in cation are those of the authors and do the weather. not necessarily represent those of the Although the annual celebration of Dover’s history began management of the publication. Monday with walking tours of The Green and other sites, things really kick into gear – literally - as practice for the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series begins at 2:05 p.m. A GATEHOUSE MEDIA, LLC COMPANY Thursday at the Dover International Speedway. The balloon ride offers an outstanding view of Legislative ALL RIGHTS RESERVED SEE EVENTS, PAGE 4 Mall. JEFF BROWN PHOTO 4 DOVER DAYS 2019 EVENTS FROM PAGE 3 The race itself will begin at 5 p.m. Friday and will be followed on Saturday with the Allied Steel Build- ings 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series Dash 4 Cash Race. Sunday, the track will host the Gander RV 400 Mon- ster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race. Fans must have tickets for all NASCAR races, al- though some events, such as activities at the Speed- way’s Fan Zone on Saturday, are free. For aviation fans and military buffs, the Air Mobil- ity Command Museum at Dover Air Force Base will of downtown Dover organizations and the city itself imum of seven seats on the board, which can expand feature an observance of the 75th anniversary of the to produce, raise funds and manage the annual festi- to as many as 17. D-Day invasion, scheduled for Saturday, May 5. A re- val. The committee is looking for additional members stored C-47 Skytrain, nicknamed “That’s All Brother” “We started a more collaborative Dover Days plan- to fill those seats. will be on public display at the museum. This aircraft ning process that created numerous positive changes “The board needs some passionate members who be- was the first of more than 800 that dropped U.S. Army to the festival over the years,” Doerfler said. “Merchants, lieve in Dover and the Dover Days tradition,” Mayor paratroopers into France on June 6, 1944. individuals, and organizations have taken notice and Robin R. Christiansen said. “I know I certainly do, and have become more involved with Dover Days meetings, am excited to be a part of this.” Big changes coming in 2020 input and volunteering. Doerfler said anybody who gets involved with the The 87th Dover Days celebration in 2020 will see “The Dover Days Committee organically morphed Dover Days Committee is going to be a community new leadership take over in the form of the nonprof- into what was already happening with the planning leader. it Dover Days Committee Inc. of the Dover Days Festival.” “We have some extraordinary individuals with The festival dates to 1933, with the Dover Garden Kent County Tourism, the Friends of Old Dover, the some known and hidden talents when it comes to com- Club featuring tours of homes and gardens through- city of Dover, Downtown Dover Partnership, First State munity organizing and with events,” he said. out the city. It was managed for years by the Friends Heritage Park, Destination Downtown Dover and To learn more about the new Dover Days commit- of Old Dover and, since 1995, by Kent County Tourism Dover’s mayor all have permanent seats on the com- tee, contact Doerfler at jdoerfler@visitdelawarevil- The Dover Days Committee will be a collaboration mittee’s board of directors, he said. There are a min- lages.com or call 302-734-4888. DOVER DAYS 2019 5 86th Annual Dover Days Festival Schedule WEDNESDAY – MAY 1 recording industry and the achieve- Guided Tours ments of E. R. Johnson, founder of the 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Victor Talking Machine Company. The Old State House, 25 The Green Tour this 1791 building that served as Self-Guided Tours the state capitol from 1791 to 1933. 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Guided Tours Federal Street 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Permanent collection of American Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. fine and decorative arts and changing ex- New Street hibitions throughout the year. Current- Early phonographs and recordings ly featuring, “Spirit Revealed: New chronicle the development of the sound Works by Aaron Paskins.” General Ad- recording industry and the achieve- mission: $10 ments of E. R. Johnson, founder of the Victor Talking Machine Company. Guided Tours 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Self-Guided Tours Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Ave. 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Visit the building that has been home Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 to the Delaware General Assembly since Federal Street 1933. Permanent collection of American fine and decorative arts and changing ex- Stories of The Green Walking Tour hibitions throughout the year. Cur- 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. rently featuring, “Spirit Revealed: New John Bell House. 43 The Green Works by Aaron Paskins.” General Ad- The Green reveals many tales from mission: $10 Dover’s history. Guided Tours Grandstand Gate 3 Open 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 2 p.m. Legislative Hall, 411 Legislative Ave. Dover International Speedway Visit the building that has been home to the Delaware General Assembly since NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck 1933. Series Practice 2:05 p.m. Stories of The Green Walking Tour Dover International Speedway 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. John Bell House. 43 The Green NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck The Green reveals many tales from Series Final Practice Dover’s history. 4:05 p.m. Dover International Speedway THURSDAY– MAY 2 FRIDAY — MAY 3 Guided Tours 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Air Mobility Command Museum The Old State House, 25 The Green Opens Tour this 1791 building that served as 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. the state capitol from 1791 to 1933. Commemoration of the 75th An- niversary of D-Day Guided Tours Air Mobility Command Museum 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 1301 Heritage Rd, Dover AFB, DE Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. 19902 New Street Early phonographs and recordings Guided Tours chronicle the development of the sound 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. SEE SCHEDULE, PAGE 6 6 DOVER DAYS 2019 Commemoration of the 75th Anniversary of D-Day Speedway SCHEDULE Air Mobility Command Museum FROM PAGE 5 1301 Heritage Rd, Dover AFB, DE 19902 NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice 12:05 a.m. Johnson Victrola Museum, 375 S. New Street Grandstand Gates 3, 4, 11, 19 Open Dover International Speedway Early phonographs and recordings chronicle the de- 10 a.m. velopment of the sound recording industry and the Dover International Speedway NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Qualifying achievements of E. R. Johnson, founder of the Victor 1:10 p.m. Talking Machine Company. FanZone Dover International Speedway 10 a.m. Self-Guided Tours The FanZone, outside of Turn 4 near the Monster NASCAR Xfinity Series Final Practice 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monument at Victory Plaza, is free to all fans. Inter- 2:30 p.m. Biggs Museum of American Art, 406 Federal Street active displays will be set up, featuring games, free sam- Dover International Speedway Permanent collection of American fine and deco- pling, live music and more rative arts and changing exhibitions throughout the Dover International Speedway Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying year. Currently featuring, “Spirit Revealed: New 3:40 p.m. Works by Aaron Paskins.” General Admission: $10 Visit Delaware’s Quaint Villages’ Mobile Visitor Cen- Dover International Speedway ter, The Villager sponsored by Chesapeake Utilities at Guided Tours the FanZone at Dover International Speedway NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Driver In- 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. troductions Legislative Hall Dover International Speedway 4:30 p.m. Visit the building that has been home to the Dover International Speedway Delaware General Assembly since 1933. NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Free Au- tograph Session Start of the “JEGS 200” NASCAR Gander Outdoors Stories of The Green Walking Tour 11 a.m. Truck Series Race 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Dover International Speedway 5 p.m. John Bell House. 43 The Green Dover International Speedway The Green reveals many tales from Dover’s history.