The Firefly Festival is back in Dover this week for its 8th year. The festival is a day shorter, just three days instead of four, but is expanding its footprint with three new stages and new amenities.
One new stage is placed on the so-called “North Hub Beach Club”—a new sand bar with volleyball courts, a tiki bar and shower and locker room facility.
Festival Director Stephanie Mezzano says one of her priorities this year is making Firefly more comfortable.
“Camping is hard. As you know a festival weekend isn’t easy; there’s a lot of walking, they're staying in a tent,” said Mezzano. “And we have to continue to push ourselves and move the festival forward and keep adding these amenities.”
Mezzano praises Dover International Speedway for cooperating as Firefly seeks to expand its operation in the Woodlands each year.
“We have wild ideas, like, ’Hey can we build a big beach in the middle of the campgrounds?’” she said. “Instead of hearing ‘no’ we hear ‘yes, let’s talk about how to make it happen.’”
In addition to three full days of music, this year’s festival also includes comedy shows and dating games.
The festival is also launching a new online campaign called SPARK to let concertgoers know how to participate in a list of activities like sports, food drives and volunteering opportunities.
This year’s headliners are Panic! At The Disco, Post Malone and Travis Scott.
Tickets are still available at $319 for a General Admission pass. Service fees have been waived for Kent County residents.