FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Danielle Jonigan
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kent County Tourism Corp.
(302) 734-4888
djonigan@visitdelawarevillages.com
Dover Days Committee, Inc., to take over
production of Dover Days Festival starting in 2020
Community members encouraged to participate
DOVER, Del. (April 9, 2019) - A new era in Dover Days’ storied history has arrived with the formation of the Dover Days Committee, Inc., officials announced today. The soon-to-be-formed 501(c)(3) will start managing and producing the annual Dover Days Festival beginning with the 2020 celebration.
“It’s been an exciting process to see the community become more and more involved with Dover Days in recent years,” said John Doerfler, sales and event manager for Kent County Tourism. “We thought the time was right to reimagine the festival’s direction with the renewed interest we’ve seen. This collaboration sets the stage for continued growth.”
The Dover Days Festival’s humble beginnings started in 1933 when the Dover Garden Club hosted “A Day with the Storied Houses and Gardens of Old Dover” to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of Dover in 1683 by William Penn.
Since then, the festival grew under the guidance of the Friends of Old Dover to include carriages, parades, garden tours, crafts and games. Kent County Tourism took over production and management of the annual event in 1995.
“It’s gone full circle,” said Gary Camp, chairman of Kent County Tourism’s board of directors. “A tradition that started 86 years ago with the Friends of Old Dover, and grew with guidance from Kent County Tourism Corp., is now evolving into a complete collaboration by all stakeholders to benefit historic Downtown Dover.”
The Dover Days Committee was formed in conjunction with the City of Dover and downtown Dover organizations to help produce, fundraise and manage the annual Dover Days Festival. The new committee consists of community leaders who want to preserve the tradition of the event while also introducing festival goers to the great things to see and do year-round in downtown Dover. Proceeds from the Dover Days Festival will benefit Downtown Dover projects, making positive impacts for the heart of the City.
The new Dover Days Committee will be comprised of downtown Dover organizations and passionate community partners. Downtown Dover organizations include the City of Dover, Downtown Dover Partnership, Chesapeake Utilities, Destination Downtown Dover, First State Heritage Park, Friends of Old Dover and Kent County Tourism. Each organization will have a seat on the board, allowing for additional members to be recruited and get involved.
“The board needs some passionate members who believe in Dover and the Dover Days tradition,” said Dover Mayor Robin R. Christiansen. “I know I certainly do and am excited to be a part of this.”
In addition to Mayor Christiansen, Camp and Doerfler, board members include Chris Cooper, Lorraine Dion, Diane Laird, Mary Mason, John Martin, Donna Mitchell, April Morehouse, Thomas Smith, Todd Stonesifer and Sarah Zimmerman.
For more information on the Dover Days Festival, please visit www.DoverDaysFestival.com. If you have interest in joining the Dover Days Committee, please contact John Doerfler at jdoerfler@visitdelawarevillages.com or call 302-734-4888.
About the Dover Days Committee, Inc.
The Dover Days Committee, Inc. is comprised of downtown Dover organizations, the City of Dover, and community volunteers who produce, fundraise and manage the development of activities and programs honoring the City of Dover’s History and Heritage during the annual Dover Days Festival, taking place each year during the first weekend in May. To learn more about the Dover Days Festival and the Dover Days Committee, please visit www.DoverDaysFestival.com.
Dover Days Committee, Inc., To Take Over Production of Dover Days Festival Starting In 2020