Five fun Memorial Day weekend events worth your time (in between backyard barbecues)

Make it stop! 

Yes, we know that only a week or two ago our cars were covered with green pollen and we were praying to the rain gods for relief, but this is getting ridiculous.

After a steady rain over the past several days has turned us all into hermits, the time for pouting is over and the time for planning is now.

With a three-day Memorial Day weekend before us, there will be plenty of time to (hopefully) soak up some sunshine at backyard barbecues during games of cornhole.

But after being water-logged shut-ins over the past week, perhaps you'd like to see someone other than your immediate family members within your own property line. 

With that in mind, here are five fun options for a great escape in Delaware this holiday weekend.

Friday, 10 p.m. — The Bullets at Home Grown Cafe in Newark. What's that sound? It's the sound of thousands of University of Delaware students exhaling since Thursday is the last day of finals. The day between the end of finals and commencement, which will be Saturday, is a perfect storm for a party. There's sure to be a rollicking celebration at Home Grown (126 E Main St.) when veteran Delaware rockabilly trio The Bullets strut their stuff. With a celebratory buzz in the air and a frontman willing to hop on a table and play his guitar with a bottle of hot sauce, you just might find both grads and their parents on Main Street into the wee hours.

Saturday, 10 a.m. — Opening weekend of Killens Pond Water Park in Felton. Even though playing around at a water park (5025 Killens Pond Road) might seem ridiculous given the amount of rain we've endured recently, this is fun water! The official opening of the Kent County water park offers water slides, water jets and, of course, the Floating Lily Pad Fun Walk for the little ones. A couple of speed slides that start 54 feet above the ground will give thrill-seekers a scare if they're up for it. And for the first time, Killens will offer advance sales online via destateparks.com. Tickets are $8-$10 and do not include state park admission, which is $4 for in-state vehicles and $8 for out-of-state.

Saturday, 10 a.m. — Opening weekend of Jungle Jim's near Rehoboth Beach. If you find yourself at the beach with kids complaining that the ocean water is still too cold, the timing couldn't be better for the opening of Jungle Jim's water park. In addition to the twists and turns of their water slides, you can also find bumper boats, batting cages, mini golf and more at the family fun center. Hours this weekend are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday through Monday. Passes for the water park ($23-$38), mini golf games ($8) and bumper boats ($6) are purchased in person.

Sunday, 10:30 a.m. — Wilmo a Go-Go Car Show on Wilmington's Riverfront. Looking for a totally independent and homegrown event with spunk? The eighth annual Wilmo a Go-Go revs up (600 Delmarva Lane) not far from Frawley Stadium with a car show (1972 or older). Also included: a pin-up contest for the gals and a beard/mustache contest for the guys, both of which will be held at 2:30 p.m. Wilmo a Go-Go is actually more of a festival than just a car show, complete with a full line-up of original music. Masked surf rockers The Primitive Finks (1 p.m.), rockabilly band The Open Road (noon) and roots rockers The Twangabillies (11 a.m.) are all on board. If you want to enter a car, it's $10. Admission is free for spectators.

Sunday, 8 p.m. -- Fitz & the Tantrums at The Queen in Wilmington. They twice (2012, 2016) transformed Firefly Music Festival into a high-octane party with their energetic sets and this time around, Fitz & the Tantrums are doing it inside on a holiday weekend. The six-piece led by French-born performer Michael Fitzpatrick is in town for the Hoagie Nation festival in Philadelphia the night before, playing alongside Hall & Oates, Train and Delaware's own Tommy Conwell & The Young Rumblers. The tour route gives a reason to come home from the beach early: a fun pop show followed by a Monday without work. Tickets are $29.50. 

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).