Weekend Happenings in Coastal Delaware (Sept. 25-27)

If it's a wide-ranging and eclectic group of gatherings you're looking for this weekend, southern Delaware is certainly the place to be over the next few days.

From a bocce ball tournament (yes, I said bocce ball) on the grounds of one of the state's most successful craft breweries, to a barbecue festival at a local speedway to 1,000 people willingly jumping off the Cape May-Lewes Ferry into the waters of the Delaware Bay, this weekend is going to be one to remember.

Throw in a beach day exclusively for senior citizens and a more than 100 mile bike race and locals are going to need to take Monday off from work to recover from the busy weekend.

So begin planning for this exciting three-day period now, courtesy of this week's "Weekender Blog," brought to you every seven days by the Oldfather Group of Ocean Atlantic Sotheby's International Realty.

Here's what's on tap for this weekend:

BocceFest 2015 (Sept. 26). BocceFest is back for it's third year in 2015, this year changing location to the grounds of 16 Mile Brewery in Georgetown. Scheduled for Saturday afternoon, the event features all-day bocce ball, craft beer, live music, big prizes and more. The first place team this year will take home $500 in cash. Visit www.playboccefest.com for more information on this year's event.

Heiferz, Hogz & Henz SmokeOut 500 BBQ Festival (Sept. 25-26). If you like good barbecue, the Delaware International Speedway is the place to be this weekend! Scheduled for Friday and Saturday in western Sussex County, this festival with the tongue-twisting name will feature good food, good fun and plenty of surprises. Visit www.delawareracing.com for more information.

Escape from Lewes Water Swim Classic (Sept. 27). Now here's something you don't see every day! This Sunday, 1,000 people will depart the Lewes Ferry Terminal aboard one of the Cape May-Lewes ferries, travel a few minutes out into the Delaware Bay and jump overboard before swimming to shore. Thus begins the inaugural AtlantiCare/Rothman Escape From Lewes Open Water Swim Classic, and it promises to provide many lifetime memories. The finish line will be a floating arch in the water, giving swimmers an accurate completion time. Start time for the event is 1:45 p.m. and registrations are accepted up until shortly before the boat leaves shore. Visit www.delmosports.com/escape-lewes-open-water-swim-classic/event-info/ for more information.

Bike MS: Bike to the Bay (Sept. 26-27). Covering much of Kent and Sussex Counties, this annual bike ride features six different route options, ranging from 17 to 175 miles, and concludes at Delaware Seashore State Park. There are multiple starting locations, so be sure to check the Website for the one that best suits you. All proceeds from the event benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. For more information, call 302-655-5610 or visit www.biketothebay.org.

Annual Senior Beach Day (Sept. 25). Scheduled for Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., this free annual event for seniors will take place along Rehoboth Avenue, from the convention center all the way to the beach. The Healthy Living Expo features 60 vendors, health screenings for senior citizens, giveaways and more. For more information, call 302-856-5187 or visit www.scss.org.

These are just a few of this weekend's fun-filled events here in coastal Delaware. For more ideas on what you can do with your friends and/or family, contact your local chamber of commerce or town hall.

And be on the lookout again next week for more great ideas from the Oldfather Group. Now get out there and enjoy all the things that make living at the Delaware beaches such a wonderful experience!