Delaware Junction pulls to a stop, will return next year

Singer Ruthie Collins performs on the Next From Nashville stage Sunday.

Stacy Guthrie, of Baltimore (left) and her friend Katherine Divin, of Salisbury, MD peer through the fence hoping to see performers before they go on stage at Delaware Junction Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

Swon Brothers performing on the main stage Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

High afternoon temperatures kept the line long for the water slide ride at Delaware Junction Sunday.

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A country music fan gets hosed down before going on the water slide at Delaware Junction Sunday.

U.S. Marine Travis Mitchell cools down on the water slide at Delaware Junction Sunday

Fans crowd the stage for Delaware Junctions country band performances Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

Fans crowd the stage for Delaware Junctions country band performances Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

Swon Brothers performing on the main stage at Delaware Junction Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

- Country music fans resting between sets on the main stage at Delaware Junction Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

Delaware Junction goers cooling off on one of the rides set up for the country music festival Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

Delaware Junction goers cooling off on one of the rides set up for the country music festival Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

From left, Carol Fulginiti of New Castle; Tina Lloyd of Newark; Jen Billips of Newark; Brenda Veasey of Middletown; Brenda Coryell of Elkton, MD and Monica Esterling of Bear wore amusing matching shirts to start the second day of Delaware Junction on a patriotic note.

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Brian Novak, 19 of Newark waits for friends by the Delaware Junction railroad sign

Chris Rowe of Clarksville, MD walks through the grounds of Delaware Junction as Zabreena Dickman of Westville, NJ photobombs him.

Dover residents Chris Hurley and Crystal Bouchard sit on the lawn in front of the main stage Saturday waiting for the music to begin.

Valerie Reed of Middletown cooks up some tasty smokes sausages for her camping group Saturday morning before the second day at Delaware Junction

Delaware Junction attendees enjoy an amusement ride on the festival grounds Saturday afternoon.

Tom Hess of Hartly laughs as he watches friends flying through the air on the giant amusement ride Saturday.

Tom Bayer, Sr. of Philadelphia, PA tries his hand at a game of giant Jenga Saturday at his patriotic campsite.

Chad Shockley, 12 of Magnolia was one the first to tackle the giant inflatable Delaware Junction water slide Saturday.

Country music fans enter the grounds of Delaware Junction at 1 p.m. Saturday ready to enjoy the second day of the music festival.

With a powerful voice, Sara Ann Garrison, 16 of Lewes opened the second day of music at the Delaware Junction Country Music Festival with a short set of country tunes Saturday afternoon in Harrington.

Bo Dickerson of Laurel-based country act The Bo Dickerson Band gets the crowd inside the Next From Nashville stage tent on their feet as he sings the Hank Williams Jr. classic "Family Tradition" Saturday afternoon.

Tom Bayer Jr, 19 of Philadelphia, PA, had one of the more colorful campsites at Delaware Junction.

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Country music fan Brandon Prang of Middletown chugs a beer in the Saturday afternoon heat at Delaware Junction.

Right near the stage, Eugene and Lisa Nicholson of Wilmington, right, enjoy the cool country sounds inside the Next For Nashville stage tent Saturday at Delaware Junction.

Without spilling a drop of beer, Jason Cressman of Logan Township, PA has a football catch by his Delaware Junction campsite Saturday morning.

Nathan Austin, 11 of Laurel was the epitome of a cowboy Saturday as he waits by the Next For Nashville stage for the music to start.

Evis Matos of Lothian, MD, left, and Bridget Pacheco of College Park, MD were a couple of good ole cowgirls Saturday at Delaware Junction.

As Dawn Brooks of Wilmington erects an American flag made from blue jeans behind them, Maria DiCristofaro, 18 of Claymont, center, laughs as she looks at mother Cathy DiCristofaro's hand as they play cards with pal Caitlyn McCarthy of Claymont Saturday afternoon in their Delaware Junction campsite.

From right, Sandy Bolyard and her husband Don of Townsend party at Delaware Junction with her daughter Lauren Reynolds and her husband Tyler of Middletown.

Kristen Whitehead of Lincoln University, PA, far right, reacts to the music during one of Friday's sets inside the Next From Nashville stage tent.

Julie Stanners and Rane Simmons of West Chester, PA pose Friday while they have fun in the sun at Delaware Junction.

Country music fan Mercedes Cardello of Long Island, NY, reacts to seeing singer J.T. Hodges on the main stage at Delaware Junction Friday afternoon.

Sitting on a sofa, Bob King and Velvet Annand of Townsend enjoy the music from the comfort of the VIP Tent Friday in Harrington.

Julie Travis of Marlton, NJ was taking photos of everything at Delaware Junction.

The hot Friday afternoon sunshine beams down upon the guitar of country singer J.T. Hodges during his set on the main stage.

Dave and Krystal Lattomus of Landenburg, PA relax on the lawn in front of the main stage and enjoy the tunes.

Jenn Hoser of Coatesville, PA, left, and friend Shannon Klagholz of Newark, lay on the grass and take a selfie with a smartphone during Delaware Junction Friday afternoon.

A view of the main stage at Delaware Junction in Harrington Friday.

Cowgirl Cherita Harrell of Sicklerville, NJ plays a game of cornhole as the music plays behind her Friday.

Ashley Stover, 15 of Hampsted, MD enjoys slices of watermelon as she relaxes with family at the Junction.

Travis Wade of Smyrna, lead singer of the Smyrna-based country music group Country By Night opens the inaugural Delaware Junction Country Music Festival in Harrington Friday afternoon with a rendition of the Johnny Cash hit "Folsom Prison Blues".

Andrew Hill of Allentown, PA carries his girlfriend Carrie Kopcho through the grounds of Delaware Junction Friday afternoon.

Sam Coates of Ocean City, MD flies down the giant inflatable water slide Friday during the inaugural Delaware Junction Country Music Festival in Harrington.

Grant Donahue of Ocean City, MD pulls women into the foam party, a tent full of soap suds, at Delaware Junction Friday.

Country music fans flock to the merchandise tents at Delaware Junction Friday

Dianne Nichas of Staten Island, NY tries on a cowboy hat inside one of the merchandise tents.

Cheyenne Sanchez, 21 of Harrington takes a selfie with her sister Alexis Gerardi, 16, after they took the plunge on the giant water slide.

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Hundreds of camping tents are already in the fields of the Delaware State Fair ready for the weekend honkytonk.

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Campers busy themselves erecting camping tents in Harrington full of excitement for the Delaware Junction Country Music Festival.

A worker moves a soda machine inside the Delaware Junction grounds Thursday afternoon.

Along the Harrington railroad tracks, a large banner is hung over the Delaware Junction main stage Thursday as preparations are underway for the inaugural country music festival this weekend.

From left, Delaware Junction Country Music Festival campers Cody Dmiterchick of Milton, Jake Dmiterchik of Milton, Andrew Cooper of Wilmington, Jeff Oster of Jeferson, NJ and Ryan Hughes of Dover raise their beers Thursday after arriving in Harrington to begin a wild weekend of music and fun.

Singer Ruthie Collins performs on the Next From Nashville stage Sunday.

Stacy Guthrie, of Baltimore (left) and her friend Katherine Divin, of Salisbury, MD peer through the fence hoping to see performers before they go on stage at Delaware Junction Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

Swon Brothers performing on the main stage Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

High afternoon temperatures kept the line long for the water slide ride at Delaware Junction Sunday.

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A country music fan gets hosed down before going on the water slide at Delaware Junction Sunday.

U.S. Marine Travis Mitchell cools down on the water slide at Delaware Junction Sunday

Fans crowd the stage for Delaware Junctions country band performances Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

Fans crowd the stage for Delaware Junctions country band performances Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

Swon Brothers performing on the main stage at Delaware Junction Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

- Country music fans resting between sets on the main stage at Delaware Junction Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

Delaware Junction goers cooling off on one of the rides set up for the country music festival Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

Delaware Junction goers cooling off on one of the rides set up for the country music festival Sunday. Special To The Delaware State News/Gary Emeigh

From left, Carol Fulginiti of New Castle; Tina Lloyd of Newark; Jen Billips of Newark; Brenda Veasey of Middletown; Brenda Coryell of Elkton, MD and Monica Esterling of Bear wore amusing matching shirts to start the second day of Delaware Junction on a patriotic note.

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Brian Novak, 19 of Newark waits for friends by the Delaware Junction railroad sign

Chris Rowe of Clarksville, MD walks through the grounds of Delaware Junction as Zabreena Dickman of Westville, NJ photobombs him.

Dover residents Chris Hurley and Crystal Bouchard sit on the lawn in front of the main stage Saturday waiting for the music to begin.

Valerie Reed of Middletown cooks up some tasty smokes sausages for her camping group Saturday morning before the second day at Delaware Junction

Delaware Junction attendees enjoy an amusement ride on the festival grounds Saturday afternoon.

Tom Hess of Hartly laughs as he watches friends flying through the air on the giant amusement ride Saturday.

Tom Bayer, Sr. of Philadelphia, PA tries his hand at a game of giant Jenga Saturday at his patriotic campsite.

Chad Shockley, 12 of Magnolia was one the first to tackle the giant inflatable Delaware Junction water slide Saturday.

Country music fans enter the grounds of Delaware Junction at 1 p.m. Saturday ready to enjoy the second day of the music festival.

With a powerful voice, Sara Ann Garrison, 16 of Lewes opened the second day of music at the Delaware Junction Country Music Festival with a short set of country tunes Saturday afternoon in Harrington.

Bo Dickerson of Laurel-based country act The Bo Dickerson Band gets the crowd inside the Next From Nashville stage tent on their feet as he sings the Hank Williams Jr. classic "Family Tradition" Saturday afternoon.

Tom Bayer Jr, 19 of Philadelphia, PA, had one of the more colorful campsites at Delaware Junction.

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Country music fan Brandon Prang of Middletown chugs a beer in the Saturday afternoon heat at Delaware Junction.

Right near the stage, Eugene and Lisa Nicholson of Wilmington, right, enjoy the cool country sounds inside the Next For Nashville stage tent Saturday at Delaware Junction.

Without spilling a drop of beer, Jason Cressman of Logan Township, PA has a football catch by his Delaware Junction campsite Saturday morning.

Nathan Austin, 11 of Laurel was the epitome of a cowboy Saturday as he waits by the Next For Nashville stage for the music to start.

Evis Matos of Lothian, MD, left, and Bridget Pacheco of College Park, MD were a couple of good ole cowgirls Saturday at Delaware Junction.

As Dawn Brooks of Wilmington erects an American flag made from blue jeans behind them, Maria DiCristofaro, 18 of Claymont, center, laughs as she looks at mother Cathy DiCristofaro's hand as they play cards with pal Caitlyn McCarthy of Claymont Saturday afternoon in their Delaware Junction campsite.

From right, Sandy Bolyard and her husband Don of Townsend party at Delaware Junction with her daughter Lauren Reynolds and her husband Tyler of Middletown.

Kristen Whitehead of Lincoln University, PA, far right, reacts to the music during one of Friday's sets inside the Next From Nashville stage tent.

Julie Stanners and Rane Simmons of West Chester, PA pose Friday while they have fun in the sun at Delaware Junction.

Country music fan Mercedes Cardello of Long Island, NY, reacts to seeing singer J.T. Hodges on the main stage at Delaware Junction Friday afternoon.

Sitting on a sofa, Bob King and Velvet Annand of Townsend enjoy the music from the comfort of the VIP Tent Friday in Harrington.

Julie Travis of Marlton, NJ was taking photos of everything at Delaware Junction.

The hot Friday afternoon sunshine beams down upon the guitar of country singer J.T. Hodges during his set on the main stage.

Dave and Krystal Lattomus of Landenburg, PA relax on the lawn in front of the main stage and enjoy the tunes.

Jenn Hoser of Coatesville, PA, left, and friend Shannon Klagholz of Newark, lay on the grass and take a selfie with a smartphone during Delaware Junction Friday afternoon.

A view of the main stage at Delaware Junction in Harrington Friday.

Cowgirl Cherita Harrell of Sicklerville, NJ plays a game of cornhole as the music plays behind her Friday.

Ashley Stover, 15 of Hampsted, MD enjoys slices of watermelon as she relaxes with family at the Junction.

Travis Wade of Smyrna, lead singer of the Smyrna-based country music group Country By Night opens the inaugural Delaware Junction Country Music Festival in Harrington Friday afternoon with a rendition of the Johnny Cash hit "Folsom Prison Blues".

Andrew Hill of Allentown, PA carries his girlfriend Carrie Kopcho through the grounds of Delaware Junction Friday afternoon.

Sam Coates of Ocean City, MD flies down the giant inflatable water slide Friday during the inaugural Delaware Junction Country Music Festival in Harrington.

Grant Donahue of Ocean City, MD pulls women into the foam party, a tent full of soap suds, at Delaware Junction Friday.

Country music fans flock to the merchandise tents at Delaware Junction Friday

Dianne Nichas of Staten Island, NY tries on a cowboy hat inside one of the merchandise tents.

Cheyenne Sanchez, 21 of Harrington takes a selfie with her sister Alexis Gerardi, 16, after they took the plunge on the giant water slide.

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Hundreds of camping tents are already in the fields of the Delaware State Fair ready for the weekend honkytonk.

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Campers busy themselves erecting camping tents in Harrington full of excitement for the Delaware Junction Country Music Festival.

A worker moves a soda machine inside the Delaware Junction grounds Thursday afternoon.

Along the Harrington railroad tracks, a large banner is hung over the Delaware Junction main stage Thursday as preparations are underway for the inaugural country music festival this weekend.

From left, Delaware Junction Country Music Festival campers Cody Dmiterchick of Milton, Jake Dmiterchik of Milton, Andrew Cooper of Wilmington, Jeff Oster of Jeferson, NJ and Ryan Hughes of Dover raise their beers Thursday after arriving in Harrington to begin a wild weekend of music and fun.

HARRINGTON — With foam flying, funnel cakes frying and music pumping, the Delaware Junction country music festival came to a close Sunday at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington.

But it won’t be a one and done affair. Organizer Alex Pires said Sunday night the festival is coming back next year.

Prior to the country music duo Florida Georgia Line wrapping up the three-day festival, Mr. Pires made an appearance on the Main Stage.

“My name is Alex and I’m from Dewey Beach,” he told the crowd.

“I’ve got something to tell you. We’re coming back next year. Are you coming back? Peace and love.”

With that, he turned around and walked off.

Trio Jennie Langley of Dover, Travis Glanding of Middletown and Katie Courtney of Leipsic were among the estimated 15,000 to 20,000 who flocked to the three-day fest.

The avid festival-goers had already been to the Firefly rock music and Big Barrel country events earlier in the year at the Woodlands of Dover International Speedway and said they liked this weekend’s festival the best of the three.

“The lineup is way better. The set-up is great. The layout is great,” Ms. Langley said.

Mr. Glanding agreed. “Honestly, it’s better than the state fair,” he said.

The friends camped at the grounds for Delaware Junction and said one thing stood out the most between festivals: the differences in prices. Food, for example, was a little more expensive this weekend than at other festivals, as were the tickets, they said.

“This was by far the best though. There were fun things the others didn’t have, so you weren’t just hot. Even the showers were way better here,” Ms. Courtney said.

“Showers were horrible at Big Barrel, but here you have privacy and they’re cleaner. And they’re not $8 each.”

The crowd could be heard echoing similar remarks throughout the third and final day of the event, including Harbeson resident Melissa Juliano who brought her 6-year-old son to see his first concert.

“I think it’s ran fantastically, and smoother. There’s lots of things to do for the kids and the kids at heart,” said Ms. Juliano, who also attended Big Barrel this year.

“I imagine the clientele is the same. I don’t know what the difference is really, but this one was better by far,” she said.

Even her son, Nate, enjoyed the event after watching The Morrison Brothers from Washington D.C. on the indoor Next From Nashville stage.

Festival officials said Sunday afternoon there had been no major incidents over the weekend despite the large crowd.

Renae Vgati, a security crew supervisor working at Delaware Junction, said there were a few hiccups on Friday when some members of the general admission tried to enter VIP areas, especially VIP-designated bathrooms.

“We got a handle on it by the next day, but we really haven’t had too many problems. We’re running a tight ship,” she said.

Even State Rep. Harvey Kenton, R-Kenton, was spotted in the crowd over the weekend.

“I was out here (Saturday) and I said I had to come back today,” he explained.

Delaware Junction wasn’t just about the music this year.

Its organizers also arranged foam parties, a beer garden, cornhole games, rides, a giant slide and a water mister station for its first year in operation.

Free water was also available in several main festival areas.

For many of the concert and festival lovers, like Mr. Glanding, there was only one problem with the August festivities.

“I hate heights. The swing makes me throw up. But really, the one bad thing is that we have to go to work tomorrow. After this weekend, we need a holiday,” he said.

Editor’s note: Jennifer Antonik is a freelance writer.