To Market, To Market

For this, we’ll sing in the rain or bask in the sun. It’s all good. Plus, Dover Days are here again, OperaDelaware presents “The Merry Widow,” and the Wilmington Children’s Chorus performs.

photograph by Elaine J. KucharskiThe Wilmington Flower Market is always held on Mother’s Day weekend, and it almost always rains.

Devotees trudge around Rockford Park holding boxes of newly purchased heirloom tomato plants, original art and spicy mustards. Moms thrust strollers through sludge to photograph toddlers in the petting zoo. Teens text near the bandstand, when their favorite bands go on break. Foodies of all ages devour everything from pasta to Hy-Point ice cream.

The Flower Market is a tradition for which Delawareans enthusiastically don rain boots—or sandals, when the clouds break—to buy original art, flowers and other plants, and try the carnival rides.

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Since its founding in 1921, this rain or occasionally shine ritual has raised about $5 million to support children’s charities in Delaware.

“Our volunteers have a commitment to making children’s lives better, but people who attend do just as much for charities as the volunteers do,” says general chairperson Karen Laughlin. “That’s what keeps the tradition going.” This year’s market is May 5-7. For more, call 995-5699, or visit wilmingtonflowermarket.org.

Page 2: Dover Days Are Here Again

 

Dover Days Are Here Again

You’d think that after 78 years, Kent County Tourism would know how to host an event. You’d be right. The 78th annual Dover Days happens on The Green and Legislative Mall May 6-8. In addition to popular offerings such as maypole dancing, Civil War re-enactments, a pet parade and a good food court on William Penn Street, this year’s line-up includes a rock wall, a children’s scavenger hunt and rides on steam cars from Auburn Heights. For more, call 734-1736, or visit doverdaysfestival.com.

Page 3: Show Them the Money

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Laura Pedersen will sing the leading role in “The Merry Widow.”Show Them the Money

Hanna Glawari is one seriously wealthy widow, so gold-digging suitors abound. As audiences will witness in OperaDelaware’s production of “The Merry Widow” at The Grand Opera House May 1, 6 and 7, Hanna can spot a salivating money-grubber a mile away, but has to break a sweat to find true love. Just to be sure, she endures several licentious parties before she commits. Says director Lee Kimball, “The opera plays like a wacky episode of ‘Seinfeld’ set to some of the most gorgeous music ever written.” For more, call 658-8063, or visit operade.org.

 

 

 

Page 4: Sing for Spring

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Sing for Spring

The mother of all spring concerts is upon us. Every ensemble of the Wilmington Children’s Chorus will be on deck to perform at First & Central Presbyterian Church in Wilmington May 14. Normally, audiences hear one ensemble per show, but this event casts all 130 singers of the WCC for a performance of classical and traditional American music, including works by Randall Thompson, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin and Moses Hogan. Why such joyful noise? Kids love to sing. As members of WCC, their vocal abilities have nothing to do with their financial, social or ethnic backgrounds. There’s nothing dissonant about that. For more, visit wilmingtonchildrenschorus.org.

 

 

 

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