New Castle City Topics

06/16/2026

The City's Rain Barrell Sale has been EXTENDED to allow more time for folks to order. The *New Pick-Up Date* will be July 17, from 2pm to 4:30pm, for those who have pre-ordered through the website below.

Rain barrels can help with water management on a given property in a number of ways... And New Castle households can get a $33 discount on their order thanks to the Trustees subsidizing this program.

Learn more & claim yours at: rainbarrel.ca/newcastle/ 🌧️

06/14/2026

The 250th Anniversary Separation Day Parade was one to remember! With reenactors marching, fantastic brass bands, Lions and Beauty Queens, lots of politicians, and 'Caesar Rodney' reprising his 'last ride,' it was a powerful pageant of Delaware history and those who continue to write that history today.

Hundreds of watchers lined Delaware Street, claiming choice spots as early as 9am to get a good view of the dozens of community organizations, firehouse bands, dancers and other marchers, who showered the spectators with candy, small flags and other keepsakes of the momentous day. As Delaware's own unique 'Independence Day,' the occasion marked a higlight of the state's many America-250 semiquincentennial events.

06/13/2026

Tonight's Separation Day Block Party on the Wharf drew hundreds of local residents for a warm, fun evening of live music by Special Delivery, delicious food and desserts from a variety of food trucks, and drinks served up in support of Good Will Fire Co. 🎸🎷

06/12/2026

Amid what is likely to be the biggest Separation Day in recent memory, the Library Friends will once again be holding their annual gently-used Book Sale and Raffle... 📚🎟️

Stop by before or after (or during) the Parade to peruse books right on the street, in support of New Castle Public Library.

The Separation Day Book Sale & Raffle is TOMORROW! 📚🎉

Please join us from 9am to 2pm (around the Separation Day parade) to 'Browse on the Bricks' (and in the library's beautiful conference room) at our BIGGEST book sale of the year! There are THOUSANDS of volumes in a dozen genres to choose from, plus library supporter merch, and RAFFLE PRIZES! 🎀

☝️ NOTE: If you are attending the Separation Day Festival after shopping, you will need to drop your purchases off at the car first... no backpacks or non-clear bags will be allowed into the festival area. We can hold purchased items until the sale ends at 2pm. Please plan accordingly. Thank you.

Kids get their first book FREE | Most Books $1-2 | Cash & Credit Accepted | All proceeds support New Castle Public Library!

06/11/2026

As Delaware celebrates its 250th birthday this month, New Castle celebrates its 375th! 🥳 New Castle Historical Society's new exhibit - 'New Castle: A Center of the American Experience for 375 Years' - delves into that history just in time for the big day!

Designed by NCHS director Mike Connolly along with volunteers Susan Hannell and Linda Suskie, the exhibit sprawls through one wing of the Arsenal's second floor. It is, Connolly told City Topics, "the largest physical space that I have ever curated an exhibit for – it’s about twice the size of the Old Library gallery."

Covering 375 years of history in one room - even a large one - was no easy feat, as Connolly and Ms. Hannell both noted when asked about the challenges in creating it, but the exhibit pulls it off. Visitors are whisked through the city's fascinating past with a mix of broad strokes to evoke the sweep of its history, along with fine details about and tangible reminders of the humans who made it.

"We hope that people that visit the exhibit," Connolly said, "will get a good overall understanding of New Castle’s long history – why it was here, and what the people that lived in New Castle contributed to American society."

Thanks to the creators for sharing their thoughts, which you can read more of in this month's New Castle Digest... Subscribe for free on the City Topics website to receive that in your inbox at the end of each month!

(The photos represent a small preview of the overall exhibit, which warrants at least a few hours, or multiple visits, to peruse fully.)

06/10/2026

Great historical photo of the Separation Day Parade! 😯

DELAWARE SNAPSHOT 📸
Super-Separation Day
This Friday and Saturday, June 12-13, New Castle is the place to be for Delawareans to celebrate our 250 years of “not being Pennsylvania” – no offense to our modern Keystone State friends and neighbors. Friday night’s 6-8:30 p.m. Separation Day festivities include live music, food and drink, while Saturday kicks off at noon with a Colonial-inspired parade, including the Caesar Rodney Ride 250 Reenactment with attorney Ciro Poppiti portraying the patriot. The day of live music, kids’ rides, an artisan/vintage market, community groups’ food sales, a beer garden and historic site visiting winds up with a fireworks show over the Delaware River.
– Compiled by robin brown, Writer in Residence
Delaware Public Archives
Delaware Economic Development Office Photograph Collection
Photo: Undated
ID: 1306-000-000_2362

06/09/2026

🚧 From NCPD: Road closure info for Saturday's Separation Day Parade... 🚧

Separation Day Parade Traffic Advisory – Saturday, June 13

The New Castle City Police Department would like to remind residents and visitors that the annual Separation Day Parade will begin at 12:00 PM on Saturday, June 13.

The attached map outlines anticipated road closures and parking restrictions associated with the parade route. Residents are encouraged to review the map and make travel plans in advance, as access to certain areas will be limited throughout the event.

Traffic Control Officers (TCOs) will be positioned along the route prior to the parade to assist with traffic flow and facilitate the safe movement of participants and spectators. Residents should expect limited access and intermittent traffic restrictions before the event, with full road closures taking effect at approximately 11:30 AM.

Please plan accordingly, allow extra travel time, and follow all posted restrictions and directions provided by Traffic Control Officers. We ask everyone to be patient and respectful of personnel working to ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all.

We appreciate your cooperation and look forward to celebrating Separation Day with our community.

06/09/2026

The celebration of the 250th Separation Day is coming up this weekend! 🎇🎆🌠

The fun starts with a block party on The Wharf on Friday evening. Then the full Festival kicks off Saturday with the Separation Day Parade at 12pm - featuring special entrants for this momentous anniversary, including the 250Ride.org that will see "Caesar Rodney" riding his carriage through New Castle once more, accompanied by other 'unheard voices of the Revolution.'

After the parade, head to Battery Park for live music, kids' rides and games, vendors, food and fun... until the fireworks finale at 9:30pm!

Get all the details (incl. parking info) at SeparationDayDE.com/ 🇺🇸

06/08/2026

At the end of East 2nd Street, right on the Delaware River, is Bull Hill Park, a beautiful green space with a nice playground, a partial court for pick-up basketball, and stunning views of the river and the Delaware Memorial Bridge.