M.O.T Area Parks Recreation & Cultural Activities
Recreation
Silver Lake Park, Middletown
Residents enjoy a variety of recreational activities at the town’s Silver Lake Park adjacent to Silver Lake Elementary School on East Cochran Street. The 40-acre park includes tennis and basketball courts, a skateboard area, walking trails, a swimming pool, playground, soccer fields and picnic areas and pavilions. The pool is open June through August. Organized sports at Silver Lake Park include men’s and coed softball, girl’s softball, coed soccer and boy’s football. Sports facilities and organizations are offered by local schools, the YMCA, and the Police Athletic League.
Boys & Girls Club
14 South Broad Street, Middletown, DE 19709. Phone (302) 378-7620. The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Delaware is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances, to realize their full potential as productive, responsible, and caring citizens. The Boys & Girls Club offers a variety of activities and programs in the following categories: sports & fitness, health & life skills, education & career development, arts & cultural enrichment.
Middletown Nature Area
The Middletown Nature Area on South Broad Street features a raised nature trail in a tranquil setting, with woods and a stream, as well as a picnic pavilion.
Little League and Senior League Baseball
Little League and Senior League games are played at Duke Field on Cleaver Farm Road.
Phone Numbers
YMCA Pool Information - 378-9461
Central Delaware YMCA - 674-3000
Middletown Parks Department - 378-5140
Playground Information - 378-5670
Police Athletic League - 656-9501
M.O.T. Little League - 378-8470
M.O.T. Soccer Club - 378-2488
Boys & Girls Club - 378-7620
Historical Attractions and Performing Arts
The Everett Theater
45 W. Main Street, Middletown. First opened on December 7, 1922 on the site where two other theaters and an opera house burned down. Designed in the Art Nouveau style, this 375 seat theater originally was a showplace for both vaudeville acts and movies. In 1981, the not-for-profit ACT was formed to preserve the Everett Theater, promote the talent of community members, and present a variety of cultural events. Movies are shown the first weekend of every month. Various stage presentations, including musicals, plays, and jazz concerts are held through out the year. The Everett Theater was featured in the movie “Dead Poets Society” starring Robin Williams, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Phone: 378-1200.
Historic Houses of Odessa
Main St., Odessa. Step into the past with a tour of restored 18th- and 19th-century houses. Living-history demonstrations take place every Friday and Saturday from March to October as costumed interpreters cook over an open hearth. Discover Delaware’s best-kept secret. Phone: 378-4069.
Premiere Centre for the Arts
27 Anderson Street, Middletown. Phone: 302-378-1384. An all encompassing arts center housing many aspects of the arts under one roof. PCA offers dance/baton classes, private instruction in musical instrumentation and voice, visual art classes for ages 3-adult, yoga and—coming in 2004—pilates and children's music classes.
Annual Events
Children’s Workshop at Historic Everett Theatre
Held each summer is a popular Children’s Workshop, designed to expose local children to the performing arts.
Summer Concert Series
In the summertime, a variety of musicians perform at the bandstand at the Middletown-Odessa-Townsend Senior Center, 300 South Scott Street. It’s part of the Summer Concert Series.
July 4th Celebration
Middletown’s July 4th Celebration of our country’s independence features a spectacular fireworks display at Silver Lake Park, off East Cochran Street.
Olde Tyme Peach Festival
During the third Saturday in August, Middletown’s Olde Tyme Peach Festival brings crowds to Main Street. The festival, which celebrates the town’s role as an important 19th Century peach growing region, features a variety of entertainment, food and vendors. Sponsored by the Middletown Historical Society.
House and Walking Tour
On the second Saturday in October, the town opens its doors for the annual House and Walking Tour of the historic district. Churches, other public buildings and private residences are featured.
Christmas in Odessa
First Saturday in December. The annual Yuletide tour takes its theme from classic children’s stories.
Parades
Hummer’s Parade—New Year’s Day
An hilarious tradition unique to Middetown, this always quirky parade is known for its political satire and twisted take on current events. (It’s actually a spoof of the Mummer’s Parade in Philadelphia).
Little League Parade—May
Peach Festival Parade—August
Christmas Parade—December
There is also the Middletown High School Homecoming Parade in the fall, and various smaller parades organized by local service organizations throughout the year.
