93rd Annual Dover Days Festival - Vendor & Parade Registration

Celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States & Delaware

The annual Dover Days Festival is one of Delaware’s largest and longest-running free events. Dover Days is dedicated to promoting our state’s heritage and culture, featuring the biggest parade in Kent County, with Delaware's Governor serving as Grand Marshal.

All vendors will be located around Legislative Mall, like the way you may remember Dover Days in the past. The parade will also come down State St., across Loockerman, around the Green, and in front of the stage across State St. Historical re-enactors and children dancing around the Maypole will take place on the Green.

Dover Days activities showcase our state’s history and heritage, as well as highlights from more contemporary times such as the parade, traditional Maypole Dancing, games, tethered hot air balloon rides, moon bounce village, over 100 craft and food vendors, music, colonial artisans’ village and historic re-enactment groups.

Select "Reserve a spot" to register for a parade or vendor spot before the deadline. Parade spots are free of charge! Be sure to register ASAP, last year we maxed out before the deadline!

Deadline for registering for parade and all vendor types is

• Wednesday, April 22, 2026.

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Arrangements have been made for vendors who need overnight lodging for Friday evening, May 1, 2026 at Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Dover at 1703 East Lebanon Road, Dover, Delaware 19901 is providing vendors a discount of $129+tax per room. This room rate is first come first serve.

To book, email Sagar Patel and indicate that you want the Dover Days Festival room rate: [email protected].

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Dover Days invites crafters, small businesses, resellers, non-profits, commercial businesses, entertainers, and food vendors to register for the event. Registration costs are dependent on vendor type.

Food vendors are invited to attend the Fri., May 1 Kick-Off to Dover Days event, and will receive a discounted rate for registering for both days.

All entertainment and food vendors must provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI). All food vendors must also provide a State of Delaware Division of Health & Social Services Temporary (doesn't have to be temporary) Food Establishment Permit as well - call (302) 744-1220 for assistance. All food vendors must have an annual inspection completed by the City of Dover Fire Marshal's office, and vendors producing grease laden vapors MUST have a hood and suppression system as outlined in 2021 NFPA 96, Ventilation Control and Fire Protection of Commercial Cooking Operations and a 10 lb. ABC fire extinguisher at the food vendor site, per the City of Dover Fire Marshal. Please send COI and/or permit(s) to [email protected].

The Dover Days Event Coordinator Reserves the Right to:

1. Reassign/change a space, if necessary, even on show spaces are not transferrable by vendors.
2. Deny vendor application for any reason the committee sees fit. Booth fee will be returned if vendor is not selected by the committee.
3. Prohibit display of certain products/distribution of materials based on its acceptability to the general public.
4. Eject vendors/visitors from the festival grounds where there is cause.
5. Dover Days is not responsible for theft or damage of vendor’s display or vendors are responsible loading and operations during the festival.
6. Dover Days is not liable for any damage to your equipment, merchandise, yourself or your family, friends or employees working at your space

Click Here to download the Vendor Rules & Regulations

Documents required for the Vendor Contract can be submitted to [email protected].

Applicants must provide all required follow-up documents to participate.

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• Parade: Free
• Nonprofits: $75
• Crafters: $150
• Resellers: $250
• Entertainment: $500
• Commercial: $550
• Food Vendor (10x20, Fri. Only): $150
• Food Vendor (10x20, Sat. Only): $250
• Food Vendor (10x20, Both - Fri. & Sat.): $400
• Food Vendor (10x30, Fri. Only): $175
• Food Vendor (10x30, Sat. Only): $400
• Food Vendor (10x30, Both - Fri. & Sat.): $550

The Dover Days Committee reserves the right to review vendor applications for the event, and will issue refunds to applicants that do not meet the Committee's standards.

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Any Questions? Contact Ron Barisano at [email protected] or (302)535-7926.

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Info: Come out with your family and friends to enjoy food vendors, live music and fireworks on Legislative Mall!

Info: Check out live music from the Revolutionary War era or join a Lantern Tour around the Green. Ampersand will also perform on Saturday.

Info: Continue the fun with more live music! The First State Symphonic Band's mission is to provide musical educational experiences to our members and to the public through the performance of high-quality concerts, both public and charitable,

Info: Shop local vendors and food trucks, hear live music on the Main Stage, visit the Kids Zone on Legislative Mall and the Biggs Museum to celebrate the 93rd annual Dover Days!

Info: One of the largest parades will kick-off at 9AM, moving south on State St. to the reviewing stag on the Green. The event will include a float contest, musical bands including the Delaware National Guard, high school, and local school's bands, Dover Policy and Fire Department, and nearly 100 different groups.

Info: School-aged children will be dancing at the Maypoles set up on the Green, colonial-style.

Info: Three 25-30 minute performances with his historical costumed puppets for children & family entertainment! Besides performing at the Library of Congress, he has performed at Betsy Ross Museum events as well as Mount Vernon, For Frederick, Fort Loudon, Historic Kenmore, and Delaware’s 18th Century Market Fair.

Info: View maypole dancing (11AM-1PM) and the Punch & Judy Historical Puppet Show (1PM-3PM). Also view historical reenactors, Living History inside and behind the John Bell House, tours of the Old State House, the Dover Century Club Ice Cream Parlor & history, Wesley UMC AYCE Pancake Breakfast, and historical interpretations.

Info: All activities at the Kids Zone will be free! Includes: Blow-Up Bounce Houses, Water Gun & Fun Carnival Games, Kris & Holly Animal Balloon Making, Evan Global Productions Juggler and Try Your Hand, and Baby Wipes. Sponsored by Procter & Gamble.

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