Ax throwing to driving on the beach: What to do this weekend

Activities this weekend go beyond swaying along to a band in a bar.

We're talking ax throwing, sandy obstacle courses and murderous puppets. 

And some swaying to bands, too.

Here are six things to do the weekend of Aug. 24-26.

AX THROWING

An ax-throwing tournament will be held at Liquid Alchemy Beverages meadery (28 Brookside Drive, near Elsmere) Saturday.

Battle Axe, a Wilmington-based ax-throwing event business, will be on site for the competition, which kicks off at noon. It costs $10 for a slot with prizes given for the highest scores.

The 2-year-old meadery located off Maryland Avenue makes its own array of high-powered mead and cider. They now also sell beers from the Lewes-area Big Oyster Brewery with both cans of Slam! (IPA, 6% ABV) and Isabelle (sour, 5% ABV).

Still available in their freezer: Espresso Yourself coffee maple syrup chocolate chip ice cream made with their Ground & Tapped coffee mead, created with Guatemalan and Peruvian coffee beans from Pike Creek Roasters. 

DELAWARE BURGER BATTLE

See how the pros elevate the humble hamburger at the seventh annual Delaware Burger Battle.

The fun starts at noon Saturday at Cauffiel House (1016 Philadelphia Pike, Wilmington). This year’s event has contestants dishing out 19 versions vying for top honors in three categories: Critic’s Choice, Alternative Burger and People’s Choice. Trying to steal the thunder of tried-and-tested competitors are the new kids: Bonefish Grill, Farmer & The Cow, Food Bank of Delaware, Lefty’s Alley & Eats, Market Kitchen & Bar, Sherm’s Catering, Ted’s Montana Grill and University & Whist Club. Returning to throw down against the newcomers are 2 Fat Guys, Chelsea Tavern, Drip Cafe, Home Grown Cafe, Maiale Deli & Salumeria, Metro Grill & Pub, Redfire Grill + Steakhouse, Tonic Bar and Grill and Ulysses Gastropub.

Try as many as you can and wash them down with wine, beer or soda, which are included with the ticket. Tickets are $50 online in advance, and $60 at the door; $30 for ages 13 to 20; $10 for ages 5 to 12; and free for children younger than 5.

The event benefits the Food Bank of Delaware and the ProStart Program of the Delaware Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, which offers high school students experience to prepare them for a career in the food industry.

'HAPPYTIME MURDERS'

It could be a marriage made in comedy heaven: Melissa McCarthy and filthy puppets. "The Happytime Murders," starring McCarthy as a detective who partners with a blue Muppet-like private eye, isn't panning out that way, according to critics. 

Judge for yourself. It opens this weekend.

WEEDSTOCK

New York may have had Woodstock 49 years ago, but Delaware has Weedstock.

And it returns this weekend, bigger than before.

The second annual marijuana-themed music and camping festival will return to Townsend Friday, expanding to two days and delivering 20 hours of live music by 15 original bands from Delaware and the surrounding region.

The event is sponsored by Delaware NORML, the state’s chapter of the national pro-legalization group.

The 21-and-older-only festival will once again be held at Fire Base Lloyd at 474 Fleming Landing Road in Townsend, an outdoor event space owned by Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club of Delaware. The spot is regularly rented for private events. Members of the motorcycle club will be used as security at the gate, which is the only way in and out.

The gates open Friday at 6 p.m. and that night will offer a trio of acts including Wilmington bands Xtra Alltra and Urban Shaman Attack. On Saturday, a dozen acts will perform from noon to midnight on the outdoor stage including beach-based funky blues favorites Lower Case Blues, rollicking proto-punk/psychedelic surf from The Bad Larrys of Wilmington and fellow city-based soul-stirrers Terretta Storm.

Tickets cost $15 for Friday, $30 for Saturday or $40 for the whole weekend. Camping costs an additional $20 with Sunday brunch included.

LEWES SUMMER FINE ART FEST

Delaware has art fests aplenty, and it's getting another one.

The Lewes Summer Fine Art Festival debuts this weekend on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry grounds (43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes).

Original, handmade jewelry, painting, photography, glass, ceramics, metalwork and more will be available at the fest running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Admission is free.

OCEAN CITY JEEP WEEK

As one of Ocean City's popular annual events, Jeep Week draws huge crowds of enthusiasts and families to the town, who come to see the vehicles and participate in the week's activities. Activities will run through Sunday.

The Ocean City convention center will act as the activity hub, event director Brad Hoffman said. Ticket holders will have access to vehicle services and programs, and Jeeps will be on display and available for test drives.

On the new beach course, Jeeps will drive about 3-5 mph, allowing families to enjoy the fun experience of driving on the beach, Hoffman said. There will be about 100-150 Jeeps available for the course, which is open from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Jeep Jam, the off-road course, will take place on a 70-acre complex in Pittsville. This course will range from mild to wild to accommodate all kinds of Jeep enthusiasts, Hoffman said.

DELAWARE FUN

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