WHO’s That?... That’s CAMP! BY ANITA BROCCOLINO, CAMP REHOBOTH DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Sun Festival 2021 Delights & Delivers The Sun, Moon, and Stars Come Out for CAMP Rehoboth
Letters 8 SEPTEMBER 24, 2021
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n the best tradition of CAMP Rehoboth, the Sun Festival 2021 events ran, swam, sang, and danced through days and nights as August ended and September began. In keeping with this week of joyous festivities, Broadway star Jennifer Holliday received multiple standing ovations inside the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center before she even got to her last song. The concert on Saturday, September 4, by the Grammy and Tony award-winning Dreamgirl, marked the culmination of events that spanned eight days before ending over Labor Day weekend. Sun Festival 2021 kicked off on Sunday, August 29, with 130+ CAMP Rehoboth supporters who walked, ran, and swam in the Sun Festival 5K, Biathlon, and One-Mile Walk. “The ocean waters were choppy this year,” remarked Board Chair Chris Beagle, who helped oversee the afterparty. “But our swimmers persevered, and the amazing Rehoboth Beach lifeguards were on hand to keep everyone safe! We thank the Seashore Striders who did a great job running this event for us.” Our top Biathlon (Bike/Swim) winner: T. Doney, a 12- year-old from Silver Spring, Maryland, who energized the crowd and is sure to be a contender again in our future races! Other Biathlon winners: Jon Tower (48, Middletown, Delaware), and Scott Forsythe (54, Toledo, Ohio). Winners in the 5K Run: Enos Benbow (39, Georgetown, Delaware) and Aaron Tikiob (13, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware); and in the One-Mile Walk: Hannah Simone (57, Lewes, Delaware) and Leslie Ledogar (58, Lewes, Delaware). A fun awards and afterparty followed at CAMP Rehoboth, with support from Lighthouse Catering, Dogfish Head Beer, the City of Rehoboth, and some incredible volunteers like Eric Englehart and Michael Fetchko who prepped the food and served it, with help from Leslie Sinclair and Debbie Woods. By noon on Sunday, the CAMP Reho-
both Sun Festival Auction had opened on-line with over 135 items donated by generous businesses, restaurants, and community partners. All donations were beautifully presented by CAMP Rehoboth Board Member Natalie Moss. Opening Day culminated with Aqua Bar & Grill hosting a fabulous Renegade-style throw-back tea dance and give-back event, and our community reveled in the excitement. Knowing the community’s love of parties and dances, CAMP Rehoboth partnered with four local establishments to provide opportunities throughout the week for all in our community to party together. Proceeds from each of the events benefitted CAMP. On Monday, August 30, a talented new, all-girl band, Off 24, played to a packed house at Iron Hill Brewery during their Giveback to CAMP event. (Read more about Off 24 on page 28.) On Tuesday, Sun Festival brought the inaugural Corn Hole Tournament to the week’s festivities, with an impressive 24 teams and 120+ fans cheering them on. The efforts, led by Rina Pelligrini and Beth Petitte, in conjunction with CAMP Rehoboth staff, produced an exciting event under the lights at the Little League fields on Holland Glade Road. The masterful, smooth voice and music of DJ Viki Dee filled the air as bean bags were tossed to and fro. And Dixie’s Downhome Cooking food truck provided the perfect complement to our outdoor tournament. It was a nail-biter of a finish as Noah Cohen and Robert Dominic squared off against Jodi Foster and Carole Pellicano. The women ultimately prevailed during the double-elimination tournament finale. Despite tumultuous weather on Wednesday, Diego’s Bar & Grill unveiled their version of Studio 54, complete with disco balls and tunes spun by DJ Jeff Harrison. Primed for the evening, some attendees came out in their best disco ball look-alike costumes, leisure suits, platform heels, and groovy dresses.