These Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!
Wednesday, April 26
12-3 p.m. | Registration and FEST Pass/Ticket Pickup, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center
I’m so excited. Lots of familiar faces but plenty of new ones too—this is gonna be great! My friend Lucy and I pick up our packets and head to the Sands to see who’s arrived.
Tickets, Tickets, Tickets!
For tickets, go to camprehoboth.com to see what’s left.
Complete ticket and pass pickup times at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center:
Wednesday, April 26, 12-3 p.m.; Thursday, April 27, 12-3 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.; Friday, April 28, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and 7-10 p.m.; Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, April 27
9 a.m. | 18-hole Golf Tournament at The Rookery South
It’s a beautiful day for golf. I check out the competition. There’s Kat—I remember her from last year. She’s wearing that ridiculous golf outfit again. It’s enough to make my eyes hurt, but maybe it’ll keep the geese away.
7-10 p.m. | Georgette Krenkel Welcome Dance, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center
We stroll into the convention center. This is getting serious. We’re really here!
Free Fun
Women’s FEST events that are free and open to all include the Georgette Krenkel Welcome Dance, Broadwalk on the Boardwalk, the art exhibit, health screenings, expo, and casual bike ride. Be sure to pop by the golf, pickleball, or cornhole tournaments to cheer for your favorite contestants.
Friday, April 28
7:30 a.m. | Pickleball Doubles Tournament, Dave Marshall Tennis Center
Lucy is the world’s last pickleball holdout, but I’m game, so I grab my paddle and head out. All that practicing is about to pay off.
9 a.m.-12 p.m. | CAMP Rehoboth Outreach Program, Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding
Lucy has this thing about horses. But in this case, she’s helping to support a therapy program for individuals with physical and emotional challenges, so how can I argue with that? We agree to meet for lunch at Lori’s Oy Vey Café.
9 a.m. | 9-hole Golf Scramble,
The American Classic Golf Club
This sounds like fun, but I got my golf in yesterday, so I’m taking a pass.
9:45 a.m. | Casual Bike Ride, Bikes To Go
Another pass, but I’m definitely doing this next year!
9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Beebe Health Screening, CAMP Rehoboth Community Center
I should have had Lori’s chicken salad after the health screenings, but at least my blood pressure’s down. I credit the Women’s FEST vibe for at least 10 points.
11:30 a.m. | Bingo, Dos Locos
Scrabble, yes; bingo, no. Just not my cup of tea.
2-4 p.m. | Speed Dating, Aqua Grill
Thought I had a winner, but then she ended a sentence with a preposition, and one must stand firm. Lucy had better luck and came away with a date for the tea dance.
3-5 p.m. | FEST ART 2023! Art Reception, CAMP Rehoboth Community Center
Wow, these works are amazing! Sorry we can’t linger; Lucy is eager to get to the tea dance.
4-6 p.m. | Singles Tea Dance (all are welcome), Aqua Grill
Lucy heads off to meet her date while I cross the street to Top of the Pines. I’m looking for love, but there’s no way I’m missing Regina Sayles.
4-5:30 p.m. | Regina Sayles (cocktail hour starts at 3 p.m.), Top of the Pines
This is a perfect venue for Regina. Love her eclectic style.
7-10 p.m. | Mouths of Babes, Jen Kober, and Live Auction; Rehoboth Beach Convention Center
I see Lucy has her date in tow, so that’s a good sign. I nearly snag the Olivia cruise at the live auction, but only because I wave at someone across the room at the wrong time. Jen Kober is hilarious. OMG! I laugh so hard I get hiccups.
Going Once, Going Twice...
Don’t miss the fabulous live auction, which this year includes Olivia Cruise’s spectacular Majestic Alaska Cruise; fabulous get-aways—a December 2023 week at Aruba, “The World’s Greatest Beach,” or a two-night stay at Downton Inn, a women’s-only resort in Northampton, Massachusetts; and great fun closer to home—a wonderful Italian wine-tasting and concert (for eight) at The Market/Paul’s Kitchen and Cullen-ary in Lewes, or Fay Jacobs performing her one-woman show at your very own house party.
10 p.m.-1 a.m. | FEST Late Night Party, Aqua Grill
I’m beat, but the Aqua Grill is rocking, so I pop in for just a minute. Next thing I know it’s midnight, so I leave Lucy in what look to be the capable hands of her date. It’s been a great day, even if I didn’t find love.
Saturday, April 29
9 a.m.-3 p.m. | Women’s FEST Expo, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center
Lucy arrives with a huge coffee and an even bigger smile. I buy a box of chocolates (for the antioxidants) and pick out some great Christmas presents. (Yes, I know it’s only April.)
Shop ’til You Drop at the Expo
Vendors will be offering a tempting selection of jewelry, photography, t-shirts, scarves, chocolate, books, and artwork. Women’s FEST is welcoming several new vendors this year: an artist who paints pet portraits, a massage therapist, a hair product vendor who will be doing demonstrations, and a vendor selling electric bikes. The Women’s FEST Expo will also have a section for nonprofit organizations with information on topics of particular interest to women, including breast cancer, sexual assault, and other issues.
10 a.m. | Cornhole Doubles Tournament, the beach in front of The Atlantic Sands Hotel
I don’t get cornhole. Sorry, I just don’t. But Lucy now has a doubles partner, so she heads over to the Sands and I’m off the hook.
11 a.m. | Bowling Tournament, Millsboro Lanes
I’m counting on my excellent hand-eye coordination to save me from humiliation. I haven’t bowled in, oh, five years? I pop a few chocolates for a boost and then realize I’m having fun and don’t care whether I win (well, not much).
11:30 a.m. | Bingo, Dos Locos
Going to pass again on bingo. Inspired by Lucy’s success, I give speed dating another try. Maybe love is in my future after all.
12-2 p.m. | Speed Dating, Aqua Grill
Awkward. No one seems impressed with my degree in comparative linguistics and by the time I explain it, my turn is up. One participant answers every question with “k.d. lang.” Is that a red flag?
1:30 p.m. | Regina Sayles, CAMP Rehoboth Community Center
I saw Regina’s performance yesterday, so I’m going to skip this one, but I told Lucy not to miss it. She and her new girlfriend are inseparable. I console myself with a chocolate or two.
3:30 p.m. | Christine Havrilla, CAMP Rehoboth Community Center
Glad I didn’t cave and go back for a nap. Christine never disappoints.
5 p.m. | Fay Jacobs (cocktail hour starts at 4 p.m.), Top of the Pines
Good thing I got my drinks in early. Fay is spit-take funny. Lucy and her girlfriend giggle back and forth. I feel as if I’m the one aging gracelessly. I reach for a chocolate, but somehow the box is empty.
7 p.m.-12 a.m. | FEST 2023 Premier Dance, Rehoboth Beach Convention Center
The last dance of Women’s FEST. Sigh. Then, my thoughts are suddenly interrupted. “Would you like to dance?” I turn around and lock eyes with a goddess. I try but can’t quite articulate the word “yes.” Where’s that linguistics degree when I need it? She smiles invitingly and takes my hand. Oh my.
Sunday, April 30
9 a.m. | Broadwalk on the Boardwalk, CAMP Rehoboth Community Center
Lucy’s eyes widen when she sees me arrive holding hands with my dance-mate. I make introductions (she’s a pickleball player AND a librarian!). The four of us stroll the boards happily.
Do Well by Doing Good
Never have the boards seen so many broads! Meet at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center at 9:00 a.m. for free registration/check-in, coffee, and music. Walk begins at 10:00. Proceeds benefit Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition programs that increase breast cancer awareness, promote early detection, provide access to mammograms, and offer support and resources to women and men in our local community who are newly diagnosed or facing recurrence of breast cancer.
4 p.m. | Fay Jacobs, CAMP Rehoboth Community Center
Fay has the last laugh, as she always should. ▼
CAMP Rehoboth Women’s FEST strives to create and maintain an inclusive and accessible environment that empowers all persons, including persons with disabilities, to participate in our event. If you or your companion have any needs related to accessibility, please contact Hope at Hope@phoenixaccessibilityteam.com.