January 2026 Newsletter
- RBMainStreet
- Dec 22, 2025
- 7 min read
This project has been partially funded by the City of Rehoboth Beach. However, project contents or opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of The City of Rehoboth Beach.
Read more link https://www.downtownrb.com/post/January-2026-newsletter
*For information about levels and benefits of RBMS membership, go to Join | Rehoboth
Beach Main Street (downtownrb.com).
The Year in Review!
Happy Holidays from everyone at Rehoboth Beach Main Street! We hope your holiday season has been filled with joy and laughter that will carry on into the New Year. In this issue, we celebrate RBMS's successes in 2025 and share our expectations for 2026!
We have some very exciting end-of-year statistics to share.
Metric Focus | Key Stats & Highlights |
👥 Core Membership | 170 Total Business Members: 108 Bronze, 37 Silver, 22 Gold, and 3 Diamond; 19 Individual members |
🤝 Volunteer Impact | 8,800 hours contributed ⏳ |
🔵 Website | Total Visits in 2025: 140,000+ |
📧 Newsletter Outreach | 2,498 Subscribers Member Features: 33 Showcases & 288 Mentions |
📻 Radio Presence | 115 members’ + RBMS’ events promoted via announcements |
🎯 Google Ads Performance | 👁️🗨️ 397,300 Impressions in 2025. Highest month: January @ 186,300 🖱️ 7,164 Clicks in 2025. Highest month: January @ 765 |
📱 Social Media Activity | 146 Member Posts plus RBMS events across all platforms |
2,480,889 Views in 2025. Highest month: April @ 357,300 Views | |
489,529 Views in 2025. Highest month: January @ 186,300 Views | |
⚫ TikTok | Most recent videos: Experience Holidays in Rehoboth Beach (8,034 views) and Santa Crawl (114 views) |
2025 was a successful year for Rehoboth Beach Main Street. We look forward to more exciting and rewarding experiences for our members, staff, volunteers, and the community in 2026!
The Year in Pictures!
Sign & Awning Grants
Each year, Sign and Awning Grants valued at $500 are available to Main Street members for a new or replacement sign. In 2025, grants were awarded to the following members:
Art Off the Avenue
Brooklyn Boulevard
The Federal
Flora & Fauna
The Fourth Annual Oldies Dance, Friday, 3/28
The 4th Annual "It's a Bloomin' Dance Party," hosted by Rehoboth in Bloom at the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, featured The Funsters! A fun night with proceeds supporting the beautification of our town.
The 2025 Rehoboth Beach Gumbo Crawl, Saturday, 4/5
This year’s Gumbo Crawl was held on April 5, featuring 23 restaurants and selling 1,093 tickets. For the first time, we used a QR code voting system to gather feedback and assess interest in the event for 2026.
This year’s Gumbo Crawl winners are:
● 1st Place: The Blue Moon
● 2nd Place: Above the Dunes
● 3rd Place: Mariachi Restaurant
● Best Specialty Drink: Victoria’s Restaurant
RBMS at the Main Street Now Conference
The Rehoboth Beach Main Street executive team attended the 2025 Main Street Now Conference in Philadelphia from April 6-9, joining over 2,000 local leaders for educational sessions and networking. The opening ceremony included speeches from Mayor Cherelle Parker and Governor Josh Shapiro.
Easter Bonnet Bar Crawl
The fourth annual Easter Bonnet Bar Crawl, sponsored by the Rehoboth Beach Bears on April 19, was a success, with festive bonnets creating a lively atmosphere. The event raised funds for the Bears High School Scholarship Program.
New Banners for Rehoboth Avenue!
RBMS has replaced the banners on the 31 lamp posts along Rehoboth Avenue, from the circle to the bandstand. Thanks to all who donated to fund this project!
Rehoboth in Bloom
Rehoboth in Bloom's seventh year was a success! Despite unpredictable weather, the teams maintained beautiful flowers, earning much gratitude. Recently, win pansies were planted, and spring annuals are being prepared. A huge thanks to the 83 volunteers who contributed about 3,900 hours!
The 2025 Rehoboth Beach Margarita Crawl, Saturday, 5/31
Excited partygoers filled the streets for this year’s crawl, with 25 downtown restaurants and bars participating. Over 1,000 attendees sampled margaritas and voted for their favorites. The award ceremony took place on Monday, June 9 at 5:00 pm at Somewhere.
Best Margarita
1. Somewhere
2. Sirocco
3. Tie... Purple Parrot Grill / Shorebreak Lodge
Most Creative Margarita - Somewhere
Best Mock Margarita - Kiwi's Kove
Parking Program for Summer Employees
RBMS partnered with Rehoboth Beach Elementary to offer summer parking for downtown business employees. A local bike shop donated a bike rack. Special thanks to Rachel Macha for organizing the program.
Maryland Main Street Conference in Easton, Maryland, 10/7-10/8
The Annual Main Street Maryland Conference was held on October 7 and 8 in Easton, Maryland. Attendees found the informative presentations inspiring, and the RBMS team returned home with great ideas. Bravo to the Main Street Maryland team!
Mrs. Roper Romp, Saturday, 9/20
Over 1,000 people attended the third annual Mrs. Roper Romp on September 20, raising over $9,000 for our organization with participation from over 20 downtown bars and restaurants. We look forward to the 2026 Romp!
Historic Plaque Program
The RBMS Design Committee has replaced the Cottage and Town Award program with a Historic Plaque program for Main Street America accreditation. DJ from Southern Delaware Signs created beautiful plaques. Three plaques will be installed in 2025: one at the Back Porch Café, one at City Hall by City Manager Taylour Tedder, and a third pending approval. For 2026, three additional locations are planned to receive similar plaques!
Post Office Historic Designation
In late 2024, the Rehoboth Beach Main Street Design Committee formed a task force to nominate the 1937-38 Rehoboth Beach Post Office for the National Register of Historic Places, citing its New Deal artwork and Art Deco design. After nearly a year, the draft application is under review by the City of Rehoboth before being sent to the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, the Delaware State Review Board, and the National Park Service.
Emily Whaley, an architectural historian for the Division, noted the work is excellent and requires only minor edits. Once the review is complete, she will provide feedback for finalizing the nomination. If approved, a plaque will be placed at the post office to highlight its historical significance.
Small Business Saturday/Hometown for the Holidays, 11/29
Shoppers filled downtown for Small Business Saturday, supported by cheerful RBMS volunteers in holiday attire. With plenty of photo opportunities and happy kids, we hope the annual Holiday Stroll encouraged shopping and highlighted the love for our local businesses!
Rehoboth Beach Hometown Christmas Parade, Monday, 12/1
Despite the chilly temperature, a lively crowd gathered at the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Company’s Hometown Christmas Parade. Colorful floats from local businesses, high school marching bands, and decorated fire trucks created a festive atmosphere. RBMS showcased their creativity, contributing to the community's holiday celebration.
Rehoboth Beach Main Street Community Unity Dinner, Sunday, 12/7
This year's Community Unity Dinner was a tremendous success! The convention center was transformed into a winter wonderland, with around 300 attendees enjoying the holiday spirit, delicious food, and fantastic performances by the Cape High Jazz School band, Epworth Church preschoolers, and dancers from the Sussex Dance Academy.
Congratulations to Mariah Calagione, the Rehoboth Beach Citizen of the Year and co-founder of Dogfish Head Brewery. Calagione initiated the Dogfish Beer and Benevolence Program and currently directs two family foundations: the Red Wagon Foundation and the Draper Holdings Charitable Foundation. We also congratulate Jerry Filbin, who received the Champion of the Year Award for his volunteerism, dedication, and commitment to supporting the downtown business community through Rehoboth Beach Main Street.
A special thank you to co-chairs Carolyn Diefenderfer and Jen Carroll, along with all the volunteers, for making the event truly memorable!
Wreaths Across America, Saturday, 12/13
A heartfelt gathering at Epworth Church Cemetery honored our veterans. Organized by RBMS and the Rehoboth Beach Homeowners Association, attendees placed wreaths on the graves of fallen heroes, and the names of the veterans were read aloud, highlighting their extraordinary sacrifices.
The Jingle Bell Jaunt-Saturday, 12/13
Enthusiastic shoppers joined us for the Jingle Bell Jaunt in Rehoboth Beach on December 13, from 1:00-4:00pm! Participants enjoyed holiday shopping and received fun surprises. A team of RBMS volunteers selected Sierra Moon at 31 Rehoboth Avenue as the winner of the window-decorating contest for its wonderful storytelling display!
EVENTS
Rehoboth Beach Library
226 Rehoboth Avenue
For a full calendar of events during January at the library, please visit Rehoboth Beach Public Library - LibCal - Delaware Libraries
1/5/26 9:00am
1/5/26 1:00pm
1/7/26 11:30pm-4:30pm
1/13/26 6:00-8:00
1/17/26 2:00pm, 5:00pm, 8:00pm
1/19/26 1:00pm
1/21/26 11:30pm-4:30pm
1/23 – 2/15
1/20, 4:00pm-5:00pm
1/30-2/1
1/31 12:00pm-5:00pm
SAVE THE DATE 2026!
We look forward to another year of fun-filled events in 2026 sponsored by RBMS!
For a full version of Save the Date, go to Save The Date | RBMainSt (downtownrb.com) on the Rehoboth Beach Main Street Website.
Gumbo Crawl
Saturday 4/11
Rehoboth Beach Main Street / Rehoboth in Bloom
4th Annual “It’s a Bloomin’ Dance Party”!
Friday 4/17, 7:00–10:00pm
Rehoboth Beach Main Street Margarita Crawl
Saturday, 5/30
CAMP Rehoboth Sun Festival
September TBD
Wednesday 9/17 – Sunday 9/21
Saturday, 9/26 1:00–4:00pm
CAMP Rehoboth Block Party
October TBD
Sea Witch Festival
October TBD
Rehoboth Beach Jazz Festival
October TBD
Rehoboth Beach Main Street Holiday Stroll
Saturday, 11/28
Rehoboth Beach Christmas Parade
December TBD
Community Unity Dinner
Sunday 12/6
Wreaths Across America
Wreath-Laying at Epworth Cemetery
December TBD
Editor’ note-Several photographs were provided courtesy of the Cape Gazette for this month’s newsletter.
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Great overview of a strong 2025—impressive community impact Geometry Dash Wave and exciting momentum heading into 2026.