July 2-4, 2026

Riding Through History in the First State

A three-day statewide community bike tour celebrating Delaware’s people, towns, landscapes, and shared history as part of the 250th anniversary of the United States. The tour highlights Delaware’s unique role as the First State while bringing communities together through civic pride, wellness, history, and local celebrations.

Delaware 250 Governor's Bike Tour graphic with bicycle and ice cream

Governor’s Bike Tour Recap

Watch highlights from the Delaware 250 Governor’s Bike Tour.

Three Days Across Delaware

Starting in Lewes and ending at the Wilmington Riverfront Delaware 250 Celebration, the Governor’s Bike Tour travels through 11 Delaware communities, with stops that bring the statewide celebration to towns and cities along the way.

Thursday, July 2

From the First Town in the First State

Lewes to Georgetown to Dover

  • 7:30AM

    Opening Ceremony

    Lewes

    Trail Head / Lewes Library Parking Lot, 111 Adams Ave., Lewes, DE

    The Governor officially launches the tour in the First Town in the First State. Uncle David’s Ice Cream, proudly serving Hopkins Creamery Ice Cream, will be onsite.

  • 8:00AM

    Governor Departs

    The Governor follows the Georgetown-Lewes Trail toward Georgetown.

  • 10:00AM

    Community Stop

    Georgetown

    The Circle and Vanderwende Ice Cream Shop, 5 E. Market Street, Georgetown, DE

    Celebrating Sussex County agriculture, small towns, and civic traditions.

  • 12:00PM

    Arrival & Celebration

    Dover

    Legislative Mall, in front of the Liberty Bell replica

    The Governor arrives from Woodburn at the Liberty Bell replica. The Scoop on Loockerman will be onsite with ice cream.

Friday, July 3

Connecting Delaware Communities

Smyrna to Middletown, Townsend, and Odessa

  • 9:00AM

    Morning Launch

    Smyrna

    Marmy’s Creamery, 133 N. Dupont Blvd, Suite 101, Smyrna, DE 19977

    Morning kickoff celebrating Delaware’s central communities and small-town traditions.

  • 11:30AM

    Community Stop

    Middletown, Odessa, and Townsend

    Cowgirl’s Creamery At Emerson Farms, 1049 Jamison Corner Road, Middletown, DE 19709

    A celebration of Delaware’s preserved history and preserved open space.

Saturday, July 4

Celebrating Independence Day Across the First State

Newark to Old New Castle to Hockessin to Wilmington

  • 10:00AM

    Morning Launch

    Newark

    Cooch’s Bridge Historic Site, 961 S. Old Baltimore Pike, Newark, DE 19702

    Morning kickoff celebrating Delaware’s central communities and small-town traditions. UDairy Creamery will serve ice cream at the Cooch’s Bridge stop.

  • 12:00PM

    Community Stop

    Old New Castle

    The Green / Jessop’s Tavern & Colonial Restaurant, 114 Delaware St, New Castle, DE 19720

    Honoring one of America’s best-preserved colonial towns and Delaware’s rich history.

  • 3:00PM

    Hockessin

    Joining one of Delaware’s longest-running Fourth of July traditions with a celebration of community pride and patriotism.

  • 7:30PM

    Tour Finale

    Riverfront Wilmington

    The Delaware250 Governor’s Bike Tour concludes on the Riverfront in Wilmington during the evening Fourth of July activities.

Community Schedule

Follow the tour through Delaware’s towns and gathering places.

From hometown ice cream shops and historic downtowns to the State Capitol and the Wilmington Riverfront, the tour is built around the places where Delaware comes together.

Delaware 250 Governor's Bike Tour schedule with dates, times, and community stops

Schedule details are subject to final event coordination.

Thank You to Our Ice Cream Partners

These ice cream partners are helping make the Governor’s Bike Tour a little sweeter at stops across the state.

Thank you to our Sponsors!

DE250 Sponsors