10 ways to spend a sunny spring in Wilmington

The reopening of Constitution Yards Beer Garden last weekend – and its return to a seven-days-a-week schedule this weekend – leaves little doubt about what season we're in.

The bees are buzzing, warm days are mixed among soggy ones, and if you look outside, there are people slowly coming out of hibernation.

The arrival of spring in Wilmington has turned the city inside out with workers and residents making themselves seen instead of huddling from the winter.

In the next month or so, traditional signs of spring will bloom, like the Wilmington Flower Market and next week's soft opening of the Downtown Farmers Market at Rodney Square. But this year will also feature a few new arrivals, like Bromberg's Big Noise Music Festival and next weekend's Cinco de Mayo street festival at Ernest & Scott.

"The season is a big attraction," says Lyn Lewis, spokeswoman for the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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With temperatures expected in the mid- to high 80s this weekend, we've concocted an outdoor spring plan for Delaware's biggest city. Whether you're looking for late-night Riverfront jams, retro car shows or an afternoon of baseball, here's what you need to know.

Now open: Constitution Yards Beer Garden. You had the appetizer, and now it's time for the full meal. To kick off its second year, Constitution Yards opened for a few days last weekend, showing off its upgrades. After a couple of days off, the Riverfront beer garden has gone back to its seven-day schedule. This weekend's hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, from noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. New this year: two additional sand pits, wood decking throughout the main beer garden area and Badminton nets with illuminated shuttlecocks for nighttime play. In addition to the kitchen's usual barbecue fare, expect more vegetable-driven offerings. And there will be more special events, like Dogfish Head's tap takeover on May 18 with Dogfish founder Sam Calagione. 308 Justison St. facebook.com/constitutionyards.

Now open: Del Pez Mexican Gastropub patio. When Del Pez opened in mid-December, sitting on the patio was not in the cards. But now that spring has sprung, the newest Riverfront patio is ready for open-air happy hours. The restaurant – a spinoff from the Newark location on Main Street – opened its corner patio dotted with yellow umbrellas earlier this month. Del Pez is part of Hakuna Hospitality Group, which also boasts Santa Fe Mexican Grill in Newark. Santa Fe's Wilmington location is now closed because of redevelopment of the Galleria Shoppes on Pennsylvania Avenue, so if you were hooked on their grub, Del Pez might be worth a shot. 400 Justison St. facebook.com/DPWilmington.

Friday and Saturday: Outdoor stage opens at Firestone Roasting House. There are two Firestones. There's the Firestone in winter with bands and DJs huddled up inside as a cold wind blows outside. But once the weather warms, it transforms into one of the most popular clubs in town thanks to its Riverfront location and outdoor stage. The deck stage will heat up for the first time this season on Friday with a pair of cover bands that regularly play Dewey Beach: Split Decision on Friday and the Rockets on Saturday. As part of the grand opening, WSTW 93.7-FM will be on site Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m. for a Firefly Music Festival ticket giveaway. 110 S. West St. firestoneriverfront.com.

Wednesday: Downtown Farmers Market at Rodney Square soft opening. Before the downtown farmers market has its grand opening May 17 with a visit from Mayor Mike Purzycki, there will be two weeks of soft openings. The weekly Wednesday lunch party in Rodney Square will once again offer meals from a slew of food trucks and vendors from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local produce, plants, flowers and arts and crafts are also offered. While many of the same food trucks will be returning this summer, there are a few newbies this year, including Little Italy legend Mrs. Robino’s and River Rock Kitchen from the nearby Westin Wilmington. 1000 N. Market St. downtownwilmingtonde.com.

Monday: Wilmington Blue Rocks return home. After their first two homestands were marred by rainouts, the Blue Rocks will be looking for a less soggy Frawley Stadium experience when they return home next week. The team is home only for three mid-week games against the Salem Red Socks, but don't fret. This is baseball. There are many more games to go with the season wrapping up on Labor Day weekend. New to the stadium this year: more barbecue offerings like pulled chicken and pork sandwiches from the Grill Cart and a Mexican food stand called The Blue Sombrero. And if you're a fan of monkeys riding dogs while dressed in Western wear, the Cowboy Monkey Rodeo returns May 12, 13 and 25, as well as July 24 and 25. 801 Shipyard Drive. facebook.com/wilmingtonbluerocks.

May 5: Cinco de Mayo street festival at Ernest & Scott. With Ernest & Scott's food and entertainment focusing on Latin offerings in recent months, the restaurant is hosting its first Cinco de Mayo street festival starting at 4 p.m. The 900 block of Market St. will be closed as Ernest & Scott hosts three bands and seven DJs, wrapping up at 10 p.m. Among the acts: Jibro, Revo, Genesis Z & the Black Mambas, DJ Nico Oso and DJ Willie Wilmington. There will also be street vendors selling food and merchandise, along with margarita, mojito and beer stations lining Market Street. 902 N. Market St. facebook.com/ESTaproom.

May 11-13: Wilmington Flower Market. What happens when a 97-year-old tries beer for the first time? We're about to find out. The 97th annual fundraiser benefiting children's charities will introduce a beer and wine garden for the three-day flower sale and garden party. Held annually on Mother's Day weekend, the tradition also incorporates live music via national and local acts booked by WSTW 93.7-FM, along with amusement park rides and food vendors selling plenty of carnival fare. This time around, adults will be able to have a drink while the market swirls around them. Rockford Park. wilmingtonflowermarket.org.

May 20: Bromberg's Big Noise Music Festival. After seven years away, Bromberg's Big Noise Music Festival is back and has a new home. The festival, which was held for the first time in 2010 as a fundraiser for the Light Up the Queen Foundation, is back from the dead. The fest will set up shop at Tubman Garrett Riverfront Park because the original location is now home to the Constitution Yards Beer Garden. This time around, Wilmington resident/multi-instrumentalist David Bromberg will play with everyone from the Chris Robinson Brotherhood and Dr. John to Anders Osborne and Larry Campbell. Throw in food trucks and a Dogfish Head-sponsored beer garden and you have a heavily anticipated comeback. 815 Justison St. bignoisefestival.com.

May 20: Riverwalk Mini Golf opens. A half-mile from Bromberg's noisy festival return will be another comeback: Riverwalk Mini Golf along the Christina River. The 18-hole miniature golf course is entering its third year, located in the shadow of the Delaware Children's Museum. The soft serve ice cream and shakes will also be back at the course, which costs $8 to play. Children 3 and younger are free with a paid adult. 550 Justison St. facebook.com/riverwalkminigolf.

May 28: 7th annual Wilmo A Go Go. Poppycock Tattoo's annual springtime throwback will return to the Riverfront with cars, pin-ups, bands, food and, um, beard and mustache contests. Running from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the car show features only vehicles that are 1972 or older. (There's a $10 free if you want to show your hot rod.) In addition, there's a pin-up contest to crown the new Miss Wilmo A Go Go and a $100 prize for the best facial hair for the guys. Rockabilly and surf music will dominate when it comes to the bands, which will include Black Flamingos, The Twangabillies, Twitching Witches, The Open Road and Prof Ouch. Food vendors include Mojo Loco, Cajun-Sno, Delaware Provision Company, Kapow, Sweet Josephines and Outlandish. You'll have money for food since admission to the event is free. 800 Justison St. facebook.com/wilmoagogo.

Contact Ryan Cormier of The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier), Twitter (@ryancormier) and Instagram (@ryancormier).