2018 Wetlands Festival

Celebrating a tradition of boats, hunting, fishing & trapping

at the

Grass Dale Center in Delaware City

108 North Reedy Point Bridge Road

Saturday, May 19 2018
11:00am - 4:00pm 

Food – Music – Beer & Wine
Entertainment by: ‘Crabmeat’ Thompson
Free Admission and Parking

Voices of Tradition
On the Marsh: Hunting, Proggers & Trappers
Crafting Tradition: Nets, Traps, Calls & Decoys
River & Bay: Fishing, Crabbing & Eeling
Delaware River Maritime History: Interpreting small wooden Delaware River working boats
Featuring the “Groeningen Miss” sailing shad skiff

Scheduled Presentations

Check out our demonstrators who will be demonstrating and talking about traditional marshland vocations and crafts.
Click Here for our demonstrator list.

We will have lots of exhibitors who will be talking about activiites and groups in Delaware.
Click Here for our exhibitor list.

See the crafts of over 35 vendors.
Click Here for our vendor list.

This year our "destination" raffle features two choices:
1) a getaway weekend in Lewes, or
2) a guided duck hunt on the Thousand Acre Marsh.
Click Here to learn more.

Click here for a Wetlands Festival Flyer

Interested in being a vendor or showing your art/craft?
 Click Here

Interested in volunteering?
We have lots of opportunites to help out and be a part of this event.
Click Here

Need help finding Grass Dale Center?

Click Here for a map.

Corporate Presenting Sponsorships

The Port Penn Area Historical Society would like to recognize and thank our Corporate Sponsors for their generous support of our events and programs.

$2,000 to $3,000

Delaware Humanities

Delaware Humanities provides educational outreach, special projects, and funding opportunities to bring Delawareans together. We connect cultural, educational, and civic institutions statewide to provide public events that enhance our understanding of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we are going as individuals, communities, and citizens of Delaware.

This program is partially funded by a grant from the Delaware Humanities, a state program of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Delwaware City Refining Company

PBF Energy (“PBF”) is one of the largest independent petroleum refiners and suppliers of unbranded transportation fuels, heating oil, petrochemical feedstocks, lubricants and other petroleum products in the United States.
PBF Energy is committed to being a positive influence in the communities in which our facilities are located. We also recognize that we must earn the right to operate in each of our host communities, which requires that we maintain safe, secure, reliable, and environmentally responsible operations.

$1,000 to $1,999

The Thousand Acre Farm

With sweeping waterfront views and a convenient location, Thousand Acre Farm is the ideal place for any special occasion. The picturesque, 110-acre farm is situated along the waterfront of Thousand Acre Marsh and boasts views of the Reedy Point Bridge and the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. The panoramic views establish the perfect backdrop, particularly for your wedding or event and photos. Sunsets are unparalleled against the backdrop of the water, the farmland and views of the Reedy Point Bridge and the custom-built barn. Thousand Acre Farm is the only barn in the area that has running water bathrooms and heat and air conditioning to make your wedding or event comfortable.

Delaware Division of the Arts

The Delaware Division of the Arts, a branch of the Delaware Department of State, is dedicated to cultivating and supporting the arts to enhance the quality of life for all Delawareans. Together with its advisory body, the Delaware State Arts Council, the Division administers grants and programs that support arts programming, educate the public, increase awareness of the arts, and integrate the arts into all facets of Delaware life.

This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Bailey Charitable Foundation

Under $1,000

First State Tents

First State Tents is a family owned business since 1989. Proudly located and serving, Port Penn, Middletown Area, as well as New Castle County. We have serviced family events and local business such as Delmarva Power, The Peach Festival, Delaware City Days, Bank of America, Flight Saftey Appoquinimink School District, Port Penn Historical Society, Veteran's Hospital, The State of Delaware, Boys & Girls Club, American Cancer Society, Navient, Napa, Middletown Farmers Market, JDRF, Summit Aviation and many more. We have tents and supplies for your needs.

City of Delaware City

Delaware City is a quaint riverfront community proud of its rich history and excited about the future. Located on the Delaware River in New Castle County, Delaware, Delaware City is the gateway to many natural and historic treasures, such as the Delaware Estuary marshes, the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, Fort Delaware and Fort DuPont.

Visitors are welcome to enjoy the town’s restaurants and shops and to stroll through the Historic District, which has over 200 structures featuring architectural styles spanning the 19th and early 20th centuries. For the recreation minded, the Delaware City area is popular with bird watchers, bicyclists, kayakers, canoeists, and hikers.

Delaware State Parks

The Division of Parks and Recreation operates and maintains 16 state parks and related preserves and greenways throughout Delaware. The state's land protection programs, as well as the state's Greenways program, are administered by the Division. The Division is also responsible for providing recreational opportunities and educational and interpretive programs for the public. Other responsibilities include:

·Acquiring and developing recreational lands & facilities
·Providing for the protection of natural areas
·Overseeing & planning for statewide recreational needs

The Division of Parks and Recreation is part of the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control.

The Cutting Edge of Delaware

At The Cutting Edge of Delaware you'll find a team dedicated to providing outstanding lawn and landscaping services in Delaware and parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. We have over 20 years of experience meeting and exceeding our customer's expectations.

Mid-Coast Bank

We specialize in providing a full range of commercial loan and deposit products to small- and mid-sized businesses. Our team of seasoned commercial lenders can provide competitive and flexible lending arrangements customized to fit your business’ financing needs. Our team is only a phone call away to meet with you and begin working towards your commercial loan or deposit request.

Kelly's Tavern

Casual home-town tavern known for their crab cakes, steamed crabs, and Wednesday Shrimp Night

Port Penn Volunteer Fire Company

For 50 years we have been proud to serve the town of Port Penn and surrounding areas.

Delaware City Volunteer Fire Company