Busy Independence Day weekend in Bethany Beach kicks off
Independence Day weekend is always a big draw for tourists to Bethany Beach, and this year is no different.
In just the first day into the weekend, the beaches were crowded, stores were busy and people were excited.
“It’s a very nice weekend,” said Andrew Kline of Bethesda, Maryland, who was down for the weekend along with his wife, Lauren.
Independence Day weekend is the busiest weekend of the year for the Delaware Beaches, including Bethany Beach, and already Saturday the beaches were crowded, people were shopping and families were spending time together.
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The parking lots at the Bethany Beach Boardwalk were already filled to capacity and beachgoers prepped for the weekend with their friends and families.
One such family that is drawn to Bethany Beach this Independence Day weekend despite the crowds was the Klines.
"There's plenty to do, but not too much," said Lauren Kline.
The Klines planned on spending the weekend with family at their beach house. Their daughter, Rebecca, even flew down from Chicago just to spend the weekend in Bethany with her family.
The boardwalk seemed to be a big draw for many families to the Bethany Beach area and, even around 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, the boardwalk was already teeming with life and families spending time together.
Another big factor for the crowds this weekend was the chance to celebrate Independence Day at the beach.
"We really enjoy the parade," said Lon Nelson of Dayton, New Jersey.
He and his wife, Diana, were down visiting family and decided to spend some time on the boardwalk.
Stores along the Bethany Beach Boardwalk were also excited for the weekend.
"Business seems to be very good," said Debbie Littleton, a worker at Dana's Pantry on the boardwalk. "There seems to be a ton of people in town already."
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Littleton added that she is expecting this will be the busiest weekend of the year for the company she works for, a sentiment held by almost every other business owner.
But perhaps the biggest draw for people for the Independence Day weekend in Bethany Beach was the beach itself.
"The beach brought us down," said Nick Enterle.
Even around 10 a.m. on Saturday, the beaches were crowded with very little room to lay down a towel.
But that didn't seem to deter beachgoers.
"The beach is our favorite part," said Anna Rumfola.
However, families don't have to sit on the beach to be able to enjoy it. The ocean and beach provide scenery for everything.
"We like eating our breakfast down here," Diana Nelson said. "The ocean is a good backdrop."
The beach itself is a big draw, but most people come down to Bethany this time of year to reunite with loved ones and celebrate America's independence together as family and friends.