Celebrate the 100th Anniversary of the Wilmington Fire Department

Downtown Visions and the Downtown Wilmington DE community are proud to support the Wilmington Fire Department as they celebrate their 100th Anniversary.

There are several events happening throughout the City to honor these brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our communities everyday. This weekend you can visit all City Firehouses between 10am-4pm for an open house experience. On Thursday, October 14th from 5-9pm in the 800 block of Market Street come Downtown for some family friendly fun during Curbside Wilmington WFD Happy Hour. There will be 2 bands, Bickel Brothers and Calle Bere and The Attitude performing live, photo booth, free treats and crafts for the kids, Rocky Bluewinkle mascot, commemorative WFD pint glasses for the first 250 attendees and amazing food & drink specials.

Downtown Food & Drink Specials: *Offers valid on both dates, 10/14 & 10/23 unless specified.

• Chelsea Tavern – First Responders get 20% off your entire bill with valid work ID

• Stitch House Brewery - All First Responders receive 15% off of food with valid ID 

• Jimmy John’s – 20% off for first responders on orders in-store at the Market Street location. Must show valid work ID. 

• Cavanaugh’s – 25% off sandwiches, salads or entrees for WFD with valid ID (valid 10/14 only *during regular business hours 11am-3pm)

• Makers Alley – 20% off the entire bill for first responders with a valid ID. (valid 10/14 from 6pm-9pm and 10/23 from 3pm to close)

• DECO Food Hall – 20% off at the bar for first responders with valid ID. Plus enjoy specialty cocktails.

• Spaceboy Clothing – 10% off with valid WFD ID 

• LaFate Gallery – 50% off double matted limited edition prints for WFD with valid ID

On Saturday, October 23rd there will be a parade on King Street starting at 10am and afterwards you can head over to the Wilmington Riverfront for an antique apparatus display & firematic flea market and water fire/rescue boat display from noon to 4:00 PM. Then on Sunday join the Fire Department at Saint Elizabeth’s Church on Broom Street for a fire fighter memorial service at 3:00 PM. It’s going to be a great month of celebrations as we honor the Wilmington Fire Department. It all comes to a fabulous end on November 30th for the centennial banquet at the Chase Center on the Riverfront. This is a private, ticketed event but we bet it’s going to be one heck of a party!

DCAD is Back in Session!

Downtown is excited to have so many new faces on Market Street. It’s been 2 years since the students have been back Downtown experiencing in-person learning at the Delaware College of Art & Design (DCAD).  While the students have been virtual learning for the last 18 months they are ready to be back on campus and the DCAD community and staff couldn’t be happier to welcome new and returning students!

Let's meet the Class of 2023: 

• 53 students are from Delaware, 11 came from Pennsylvania, 9 from Maryland, 7 from New Jersey, and one from Alabama! Wow!

• 95% of students are receiving financial aid (merit scholarships, state and federal grants, loans, etc.)

• Nearly $500K worth of Merit Scholarships were awarded.

DCAD has also been busy with renovations to the 707 King Street residence hall and cafeteria space. Thanks to both the Crystal Trust Foundation and the Longwood Foundation, the HVAC and air handling was completely renovated— another sign of the great things happening in Downtown Wilmington, DE. DCAD President Jean Dahlgren said, “It is so wonderful to welcome our community of artist and designers back to Wilmington, and we hope the community welcomes them as warmly as we do.”

Second-Year DCAD student and RA, Aidel Pedro said “I did well while doing school remotely, but I think that making friends and connections at school is more valuable than the information that I learn. I live in the Residence Hall, and being surrounded by creative people like myself is really inspiring since we all push each other to do better and have similar goals and interests. It's also a great opportunity to sharpen social skills. Artists need to spend a lot of time in solitude to produce art. I like being alone, but I know being isolated too long is unhealthy. Being here in person will help me grow as a person.”

You can help future students by contributing to DCAD's Scholarship Fund. This fund helps offset the cost of attending college in the form of merit-based scholarships and need-based grants.

To learn more or to keep up with what’s happening at DCAD please visit their website at www.dcad.edu.

FREE PARKING in Wilmington in August!

Looking for FREE parking in Downtown Wilmington DE? Look no further! During the month of August, visitors can take advantage of not one, but THREE free parking options in Downtown Wilmington.

• Free Valet Parking - Friday and Saturday nights from 5-10 PM at the corner of 7th & Market Streets

• Free Nightly Parking - The Wilmington Parking Authority lot at 8th & Orange Streets is free and open to the public if you enter after 6 pm during the week and all day on the weekends.

• Free Metered Parking- The City of Wilmington also offers metered parking through ParkMobile throughout the Central Business District. Metered parking is free on weeknights after 6pm and on weekends.

Additionally, Colonial Parking offers monthly residential parking at a discounted rate on the surface lots located at 5th & Orange Street, 6th & Orange Street, 7th & Orange Street, and 8th & West Street. Contact Colonial directly at 302.651.3600 to learn more and take advantage of this offer!

Downtown Visions' Lani Star Schweiger Featured as It's Time Wilmington's #PeopleofWilmDE!

Our very own Lani Star Schweiger was recently profiled as one of It’s Time Wilmington’s #PeopleofWilmDE!

Lani is the Senior Brand and Marketing Manager for Downtown Visions and the Program Manager for Main Street Wilmington. As a Wilmington native, Lani’s view of the city is uniquely personal.

“I have lived in the City of Wilmington since I was 3 years old; I grew up in the Triangle neighborhood, and have worked Downtown at Downtown Visions since 2008. I am definitely a city girl at heart.

…I grew up walking Downtown with my mom. We would often grab lunch together and go shopping at Joy Trimming (now closed). My mother always told me stories about how exciting it was to be Downtown when she was a young girl. She loved going to the Warner Theatre with her friends, eating sweets at Federal Bakery and sundaes at the Woolworths counter. Those stories made me want to continue that feeling for other generations to experience and make memories in Downtown Wilmington. I have always loved Downtown Wilmington. I love the deep history and amazing architecture and caring and advocating for this City has always been a personal passion of mine and now it’s also my professional passion.” 

Continue reading Lani’s full story on Wilmtoday.com!

The Downtown Farmer's Market in Rodney Square is Back This Summer!

It’s official! One of Downtown Wilmington’s most beloved traditions will return to Rodney Square this summer!

The 2021 season of the Downtown Wilmington Farmer’s Market at Rodney Square will kick off on June 2nd and operate every Wednesday, rain or shine, through October 27th from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM.

Centrally located on Market Street between 10th and 11th Streets, the recently renovated Rodney Square is the perfect place for a hump-day pick-me-up!

Choose from a variety of food trucks for lunch, purchase one-of-a-kind handmade items from local artisans, and relax at one of the many shaded café tables. The Farmer’s Market also offers an array of the freshest local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers to brighten your day!

Be sure to follow our Facebook Page for the most up to date information on participating vendors, live music, and more!