Block Parties, Jazz Nights and More at the Rock Lot this Summer

Thanks to the Wilmington Renaissance Corporation's Creative District initiative the revitalization is moving westward of Market Street and the LOMA district. Neighborhoods are truly blossoming.

The Creative District encompasses the area bounded by Fourth, Ninth, Market and Washington Streets. Within this district, at 305 W. 8th Street there is a gem of a place called the Rock Lot. This beautiful artistic cove is designed to bring the local community together. Join us for a variety of complimentary events at the Rock Lot this summer:

• Wednesday  5/30, 6/6, and 6/13- Jazz Nights, 6-7 pm. Artists are Alfie Moss & The Dexter Koonce Project, Sharon Sable Quartet, and Terra Soul.

Leading up to the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, the Creative District Wilmington is teaming up with Market Street Music to bring well-known jazz musicians to the green space in the heart of the district.

• Saturday 6/9- Lending Library Kick-Off, 1-3 pm. 

A community lending library is coming to The Rock Lot and in order to celebrate its opening, we’ve invited Bryce Bullock, nine-year-old comic book creator and author, to read his latest work!

• Saturdays 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7, and 7/14- Reading Series, 1-2 pm

While kids are home on summer break, Creative District Wilmington partners up with the Wilmington Public Library and members of the community to host a series of reading events at the Rock Lot.

• Wednesday, June 27th Spoken word night  “Outspoken” 6-7 pm 

Host Christian Wills, the creative mind behind Sweet Jams!, the spoken word nights at UDairy Creamery’s Market Street location, is bringing OutSpoken! to the Rock Lot! The spoken word nights are open-mic events and the public is invited to participate!

• Wednesday, July 11, 18, 25 Capoiera

Join Chris Devany of ASCAB Capoeira Delaware at the Rock Lot to experience an interactive session of this creative 16th-century art form.

• Saturday, July 28th – Community Dinner

Enjoy an evening of food, fun and fellowship. All are welcome. (Grown and prepared by William Penn High School culinary students.)

Follow the Creative District:

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Special Gifts and Experiences for Mom this Mother's Day in Wilmington

Looking to wow you mom this Mother's Day? Look no further, our gift guide is full of ideas from experiences to unique gifts that will make this Mother's Day unforgettable. 

Experiences

Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport

Photo Credit: @Reverberations

If mom loves history, gardening, or beautiful homes she will appreciate time with you exploring some of the best Delaware has to offer. Experience 12 amazing attractions at one incredible price with the Brandywine Treasure Trail Passport. 

High Tea at the Legendary HOTEL DU PONT

Showcasing specially created tea blends inspired by Longwood Gardens, Winterthur Estate, Nemours Mansion and Gardens and other neighboring Brandywine Valley museums, mansions, and gardens, take your mom back in time and linger with her while enjoying specialty tea, deserts and sandwiches in the recently renovated Green Room.

Make a Terrarium that will Remind Mom of You

Hang out with mom and make her a gift that will continue to grow! The Delaware Contemporary Museum of Art is hosting a terrarium making class suitable for gardeners of all ages.

The Gift that Keeps on Giving- A Market Street Books Subscription

Photo Credit: @MarketStreetBooks

There is nothing quite like the experience of diving into a good book. Market Street Book Club makes it even sweeter with a treat and savory tea with each carefully selected book. This is certainly the ultimate gift for any bookworm. 

Gift Ideas

A Stylish Gift from Trudy 

Photo Credit: @Trudy_DE

If mom is a fashionista or you are and want to help her become one, the new story in Trolley, Trudy has something perfectly quirky and beautiful just for her.

Beautiful Bling from Morgan's of Delaware

Photo Credit: @MorgansOfDelaware

Known for styling Delaware's elite, Morgan's of Delaware located right on Market Street also features beautiful jewelry your mom will treasure.

Cosmic Rose Tea from Brew HA HA

Photo Credit: @BrewHaHaCafe

Encourage your mom to take some precious time for herself with Cosmic Rose & Dreamers Sympathy herbal tea blends from Brew HA HA!

Vintage Items from Spaceboy Clothing

If your mom cannot get enough of antiques or vintage items, head into Spaceboy Clothing for an item she won't be able to find anywhere else!

Share what you ended up buying mom in Wilmington, DE by tagging us @downtownwilmde you may even become instafamous!

An Event for the Entire Family, The Wilmington Grand Prix

From complimentary kids rides and attractions to Food Trucks, Craft Beer & Live Music by Special Delivery, there is something for everyone at the Wilmington Grand Prix.

The City of Wilmington and their many partners once again bring professional cycling to the streets of Downtown Wilmington with the Wilmington Grand Prix. In eleven years, the event has grown from a regional bicycle race to one of the premier cycling events in the country. For the eleventh straight year, Delaware's premier cycling competition has been certified as a National Calendar event by USA Cycling, putting this year's Wilmington Grand Prix among the nation's most prestigious races.

Top professional racers are expected to gather in Wilmington May 18-20 for three days of events that pass through some of the state's most scenic byways, attracting cycling fans from across the region and pumping thousands of dollars into the state's economy.

2018 Wilmington Grand Prix Event Details Monkey Hill Time Trial -- Brandywine Park

Friday, May 18th 5 PM start

Monkey Hill is a course made famous during the Tour DuPont. Attendees will watch 100 riders compete against the clock and the cobblestones of Monkey Hill. The evening will also include live music by Special Delivery, craft beer garden, and food trucks in Brandywine Park.

All Day Saturday, May 19th 9 AM to 5 PM

Six blocks of free, family activity with course cafes, DJ music, children's activities, bike vendors and demonstrations, street festival and sidewalk sale.

Wilmington Grand Prix, Saturday Main Event Saturday, May 19th, 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 11 AM Men's Category IV-V (45 minute time limit)

12:15 City Youth Cycling Championship

1 PM Men's Category II-III Randy Inglis Memorial Race (60-minute time limit)

2:15 PM Women's Pro, Category I&II (25 miles)

3:45 PM Men's Pro & Cat I (35 miles)

Awards ceremony immediately after men's race

After awards post-race parties in restaurants along the course

Grand Prix Gran Fondo Sunday, May 20th 8 AM

This ride will offer cyclists the unique opportunity to traverse a challenging 62-mile course linked by 13 cultural attractions, including stunning rides through world-class institutions such as Hagley Museum & Gardens and Winterthur Museum, Garden and Library. The WGP Gran Fondo will start and finish at the Delaware Art Museum and will grant cyclists the privilege of passing through many of these attractions on the same ride. We will also offer a Medio Fondo which is 30 miles. The eight Annual Governor's Ride will offer cyclists a less-challenging 15- mile course that also begins and ends at the Delaware Art Museum.

Wilmington Grand Prix Criterium Course in Downtown--Friday, May 18th through Saturday, May 19th Parking and Traffic Info:

Market Street (between 4th and 10th Streets) will be reduced to special-access only traffic beginning at 6 pPM on Friday, May 18th. Please do not plan to drive on Market Street after 6 PM on Friday. Market Street returns to regular traffic patterns after 7 PM on Sat., May 19th.

No parking on Market Street between 5th and 11th Friday, May 18th after 4:00  PM.

Market Street will be closed on Sat., May 19th until 8 PM (5th & 6th Streets re-open at 7 PM)

5th, 6th 7th, 8th, 9th & 10th Streets will be closed between Shipley & French Streets beginning Fri., May 18th at 6 PM. thru Sat., May 19th at 7 PM.

10th Street will be closed between Shipley & French streets beginning Fri., May 18 at 6 PM thru Sat., May 19th at 8  PM.

11th Street will be closed between Market & French streets beginning Sat, May 19th at 7 AM 5th & 6th Streets will reopen Sat., May 19th at 7 PM

King Street will be closed between 4th & 11th Streets on Sat, May 19th, 8 AM thru 6 PM.

DART reroute from Rodney Square to Shipley will begin on Friday, May 18th at 6 PM (if applicable.)

More details on the event can be found here. 

The Downtown Wilmington Farmer's Market is Back with Several New Vendors

The Farmer's Market opens tomorrow, May 2nd.  The official Grand Opening Celebration is on May 30th with the Mayor speaking at 11:45 am

Join Mayor Mike Purzycki, Downtown Visions Executive Director Martin Hageman and local officials as we kick off the 2018 season of the Farmer's Market.

On Wednesday, May 30th at 11:45 AM, the City of Wilmington and Downtown Visions will celebrate the Grand Opening of the Downtown Farmer's Market in Rodney Square.  The Market, in its 16th year, is operated by Downtown Visions, the non-profit management company for Wilmington's Business Improvement District.  The Downtown Farmer's Market is sponsored by JP Morgan Chase and Colonial Parking.

The Downtown Farmers Market starts May 2nd, from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM, every Wednesday through October 31st.  The Downtown Farmers Market offers an array of local produce, plants, herbs and cut flowers, a large assortment of beautiful handmade items, including arts and crafts, unique jewelry and delicious home-baked goods.  Sorbello Girls Farm Market and Bright Spot Farms will be back at the Market.  There is prepared food as well, with returning favorites like Outlandish, Mama Mia and I Don't Give a Fork.  We are also looking forward to our new vendors including Rocker Soaps and Riverfront Pets. 

The Downtown Farmers Market is another example of Downtown Visions and the City's commitment to assisting small businesses, entrepreneurs and startups as well as community organizations toward the goal of a more vital, vibrant downtown for all.  The Market has grown each year to become the go-to place for thousands of people each Wednesday.  Much of the produce that is sold at the Downtown Farmers Market is grown by small, family-owned farms in the Tri-State area.

Stay up to date on the Farmer's Market by following their Facebook Page.

May 4th, Join in the Biggest Cinco de Mayo Event in Delaware Right Here in Wilmington

Friday, May 4th at 4:00 PM head to the 900 block of Market Street in Wilmington, Delaware for the biggest Cinco De Mayo Festival in the State.

This family-friendly event hosted by Ernest & Scott Taproom will feature authentic cuisine from street vendors, a margarita & mojito bar, and live music. Last year over 2,000 people attended and this year it is expected to be bigger than ever! 

Admission to the event will be $10. Tickets will be available at the door. Children under 15 years old are free. 

Parking will be available at The Mid-town Park Garage located at 805 N Orange Street for the special price of $4.00.

Check out the Facebook Event here for more videos and information.