Memorial Day weekend: 5 fun things to do at the beach

Memorial Day weekend is fast approaching, bringing with it the unofficial kickoff to the summer season.

While many may just want to relax on the beach, there are options for those who want to get out, meet new people and experience Delmarva and the coastal region.

Here are five suggestions to make your Memorial Day weekend special.

Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Festival

From May 24-26 in Milton is the Horseshoe Crab and Shorebird Festival.

The festival is celebrating the migration of shorebirds through the area as well as the spawning of thousands of horseshoe crabs.

The main event this year will take place on Saturday, May 26, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at both Milton Memorial Park and Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.

Milton Memorial Park will feature 27 nature-themed vendors, food trucks, entertainment, a children's activity tent and a nature education tent.

Prime Hook will offer scheduled guided canoe trips, nature walks, bird house building and other activities.

There will be a free shuttle to take festivalgoers to each location, and admission to the festival and activities is free.

Special events on the days preceding May 26 include a presentation on the diamondback terrapin by Olivia McDonald from Delaware Seashore State Park on Thursday and a screening of the documentary "Feast on the Beach" with the director, Michael Oates, on Friday.

Both events will be held at the Milton Historical Society at 7 p.m.

Rescues Rock the Runway Fashion Show

Come check out pets walking the runway at the Rescues Rock the Runway Fashion Show from noon-4 p.m. on May 26 at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center in Ocean City.

There will be pet vendors, informational seminars and the main event — a fashion show featuring you and your pet.

Event admission is a minimum of $10 donation or pet supplies toward the Worcester County Humane Society.

Brews on the River at Brew Up

Take a journey off the beaten path to Snow Hill, where the Brew on the River Beer Brewing Experience will be taking place from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on May 26 at Brew Up.

Taste eight to ten different craft beers, and then learn how to brew your own beer with the help of brewer and chef Tony Hilligoss.

The cost is $30 per person. Call or text Hilligoss at 443-513-4744 to reserve your seat.

ESA Summer Surf Series

The first event in the Delmarva ESA Summer Surf Series is May 26 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Ocean City at 30th Street. Come out and watch some of the best surfers in the area compete.

Beach Bonfire and Wild Crab Chase

Come kick off the summer at Delaware Seashore State Park with a bonfire and a program about nocturnal ghost crabs.

The bonfire will be held from 8 to 9:30 p.m. The naturalist-led ghost crab program will begin at 8:30 p.m.

The event is free. Participants must meet at the North Inlet beach.

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