The Poseidon Festival is a way for the community to celebrate the sea while learning about ways to prepare for potential coastal emergencies.  The Town of Bethany Beach will host a variety of ocean-inspired entertainment and theme nights at the Bandstand and Nature Center (807 Garfield Parkway) while addressing potential emergency-related concerns and distributing Emergency Preparedness booklets while supplies last. 
 
Saturday, May 27^th will be a Caribbean Carnival kick off on the Bandstand featuring steel drum duo Island Fusion at 5:00 p.m. followed by an interactive drum circle by Nancy the Drum Lady at 6:00 and a concert by Baltimore’s Trinidad and Tobago Steel Orchestra at 7:30.  Attendees can take part in a limbo contest, conga line, or mini tour of the Town’s Mobile Command Center and sea rescue vehicles.  Lifeguards, police officers, firemen, and representatives of the Sussex County Emergency Operations Center will be on hand to discuss ocean safety and answer questions.
 
Earlier that day, from 10 am to noon, the Nature Center will have a book signing and story time by Nancy Sakaduski, author of “The Mermaid in Rehoboth Bay”.  
 
Sunday, May 28^th will be Patriotic Night featuring the U.S. Navy Cruisers Band.  The Town’s Mobile Command Center and emergency personnel will again be on site. 
 
The Festival takes a short break on Monday in honor of Memorial Day but returns on Tuesday, May 30^th for Pirate Night.  At 6:00 on the Bandstand a troupe of roving pirates from Pyrates of the Coast will present a humorous, interactive show on water safety wrapped around a theme of pirate history vs. Hollywood.  All are encouraged to dress in pirate attire for the Pirate Costume Contest.  The group will stick around for photos and to judge the contest.  At 7:30 enjoy a special preview of the movie “Hook” on the beach off Garfield Parkway.
 
Wednesday, May 31^st is Mermaid Night.  At 6:00 on the beach, RELYance Skim Camp will demonstrate skim boarding basics, etiquette, and safety.  At 7:00 a mermaid parade takes over the Bandstand Plaza followed by Sons of Pirates playing your favorite yacht rock tunes at 7:30.
 
On Thursday, June 1st Key West comes to Bethany Beach with Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band Parrotbeach, one of the few full time Buffett bands.  Whether you're a Parrothead or just a beach lover, PARROTBEACH will have you singing, laughing, and dancing.  Come to the party dressed in your best Buffett outfit for a finale that will close out our Poseidon Festival in true Parrot Head style!