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Council approves downtown 250th celebration with designated drinking area and heritage tours
Summary
The Seaford City Council unanimously approved a revised plan from the Downtown Seaford Association for a July 18 250th‑anniversary celebration on High Street, including vendors, a designated alcohol area with wristbands in Mount Olivant Church parking, a possible boat parade and funding support from the Nanakoke Heritage Byway.
Seaford Mayor Matthew McCoy and the city council unanimously approved plans presented May 12 by Alice Atkins, president of the Downtown Seaford Association, to hold a 250th‑anniversary celebration on High Street on July 18.
Atkins told council the event will move from a grassy lot to High Street to accommodate vendors, food trucks, live music and family activities. A performance by Mike Hines is expected to draw a larger crowd, prompting organizers to designate a roped‑off alcohol‑service area in the Mount Olivant Church parking lot. Atkins said servers will check IDs, distribute wristbands after purchase and that a gathering license and special‑event permit have been submitted to city staff.
Dan Parsons and Jim Blackwell of the Nanakoke Historic Byway told council they would contribute leftover Delaware 250 grant funds—about $4,000—to support heritage tours tied to the celebration. Parsons said the byway plans to run two bus tours beginning at 10 a.m. that will visit pre‑Revolutionary‑era sites and other historic properties that day.
Council members asked logistical questions about signage, street closures and staffing. Mayor McCoy and staff said DelDOT coordination and a detour plan will be required for any river parade that uses the drawbridge; city police will provide event presence to enforce the roped‑off drinking area and staff will require signage that alcohol is not permitted beyond the designated zone.
Councilwoman Stephanie Grasset moved to approve the Downtown Seaford Association’s revised event plans as presented; Vice Mayor Dan Henderson seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Council members also discussed temporary banner and flag placement downtown for the celebration and allowed staff to administratively coordinate banner installation while noting council retains final approval for right‑of‑way displays. Atkins said organizers plan raffles, swag bags and family activities including cornhole, tug‑of‑war and a dunk tank; volunteers and additional sponsor funding remain under development.
The decision allows organizers to complete permits, obtain a gathering license and publicize event details.
