This landmark Dewey Beach bar will host its 40th anniversary bash this summer

One of the state's biggest, baddest beach bars in Delaware is turning the big 4-0 this year.

And if you thought this legendary Dewey Beach spot was going to let an anniversary that large pass without a party, you must have never visited.

The Rusty Rudder, nestled at the end of Dickinson Street with a massive deck overlooking Rehoboth Bay, will host six bands and six DJs on Friday, Aug. 23, for an 8-hour bash.

While the birthday is the main draw, this night will also offer a special treat for Dewey's legion of cover band fans: a major reunion featuring members of Burnt Sienna's classic late '90s/'00s line-up.

Jeff "Jefe" Ebbert, the act's original singer from their first days on University of Delaware's campus in 1997, will lead an open jam packed with former Burnt Sienna members.

Ebbert will be joined by fellow Burnt veterans Billy Gale, Joe Marion, Todd Owens, Jimmy Towles and Bob Castaldi, along with others from back in the day.

Also expect to see Eric Henkels, Burnt Sienna's most recent lead singer, make an appearance on stage. He helped lead the band before the act disbanded in late 2017, closing a 20-year run.

"This will be the first time I've played as Burnt Sienna since 2009," says Ebbert, who currently fronts Blue Label.

Other acts set to rock the Rudder's birthday party with 1,300 in attendance: Go Go Gadjet, Blue Label, Love Seed Mama Jump, Laura Lea & Tripp Fabulous and The Rockets.

DJs will keep the party going in between sets with DJ Andrew Hugh, DJ Red Fox, DJ Chris Mal, DJ Hector, DJ Snowman and DJ Knappy in the house.

The party will kick off at 5 p.m. with an hour-long open bar with food served from seven area restaurants including Woody's Dewey Beach, Nalu, The Rusty Rudder, Sirveza, Ivy, northbeach and Jimmy's Grille Dewey Beach.

Tickets ($55) go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. at ruddertickets.com.

Ebbert and Burnt Sienna ruled the Rudder deck for years, including a 12-year Sunday residency that started back in 1999. 

"I'm really excited about getting everyone back together -- it's like a brotherhood," says Ebert, who is currently at work building a setlist packed with throwback songs. "There are songs that I left behind that I know we'll just have to do."

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).

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