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Rehoboth Beach drag volleyball tradition ends

Labor Day contest scrapped 34 years after debut

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A group shot at one of the previous drag volleyball matches. (Photo courtesy of Brent Minor)

Organizers of the annual Labor Day weekend drag volleyball event in Rehoboth Beach, Del., announced the tradition has been canceled. 

The event pitted two teams of gay guys in drag against each other, which organizers insisted on keeping “just for fun,” drawing thousands of spectators each year. The event celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2013; it was canceled the last two years due to COVID.

The event’s Facebook page announced the cancellation: “Some sad news to share. Due to numerous circumstances, it seems as if our last Drag Volleyball game in Rehoboth has already been played. We are sorry to disappoint you and put an end to this Rehoboth end of summer tradition. Thanks for all of your support throughout the years.”

Forrest Park, one of the original players, told the Blade in 2013 that it started with simple and casual pick-up volleyball games on Poodle Beach at the end of the boardwalk in 1988. An older gay man Park only knew as “Mother” owned the net and gave it to Park, the same net they used until it wore out in 2011. All the players — nine on each team — had drag names, which they use with each other throughout the summer. Each team picked a theme for the year and performed sometimes elaborate dance routines during breaks from the game.

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Rehoboth Beach

Women’s FEST returns to Rehoboth Beach next week

Golf tournament, mini-concerts, meetups planned for silver anniversary festival

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(Washington Blade file photo by Daniel Truitt)

Women’s+ FEST 2026 will begin on Thursday, April 9 at CAMP Rehoboth Community Center.

The festival will celebrate a remarkable milestone in 2026: its silver anniversary. For 25 years, Women’s+ FEST has brought fun and entertainment for all those on the spectrum of the feminine spirit. There will be a variety of events including a golf tournament, mini-concerts and happy hour meetups.

For more information, visit Camp Rehoboth’s website.

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Rehoboth Beach

CAMP Rehoboth hires new executive director

Dr. Robin Brennan’s background includes healthcare, fundraising roles

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Dr. Robin Brennan

CAMP Rehoboth, the Delaware LGBTQ community center, on Monday announced Dr. Robin Brennan as the organization’s new executive director.  

Brennan, who is relocating full time to Rehoboth Beach with her wife and daughter, will start on March 23. The position opened up following the retirement of Kim Leisey after more than two years in the role.

Brennan’s background is in health systems. At Nemours Children’s Health in Wilmington, Del., she held senior roles in evaluation, population health, and DEI education, according to a CAMP Rehoboth statement. Most recently, she served as vice president and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Redeemer Health. Brennan is an experienced fundraiser, according to the statement.

“After conducting a comprehensive national search, the Board of Directors selected Robin because of her depth of leadership experience, her fundraising acumen and her overall joyful, focused approach,” said Leslie Ledogar, president of the CAMP Rehoboth board of directors and chair of the Executive Director Search Committee. “The fact that core to her leadership is her belief that community well-being is inseparable from access to health, culture, education and the arts – an approach that mirrors CAMP Rehoboth’s holistic mission – makes Robin the exact next person to lead CAMP Rehoboth today and into the future.” 

“I am deeply honored to serve as CAMP Rehoboth’s executive director as we enter an exciting new chapter,” said Brennan. “I was drawn to CAMP Rehoboth because of its unwavering mission, deep roots in the community, and the meaningful role it plays in bringing people together. I look forward to meeting members of the community, listening to their stories, and building meaningful relationships with the many people who make CAMP Rehoboth such a vital community anchor.”

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Rehoboth’s Blue Moon is for sale but owners aim to keep it in gay-friendly hands

$4.5 million listing includes real estate; business sold separately

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The real estate at Rehoboth’s Blue Moon is for sale for $4.5 million. (Washington Blade photo by Michael Key)

Gay gasps could be heard around the DMV earlier this week when a real estate listing for Rehoboth Beach’s iconic Blue Moon bar and restaurant hit social media.

Take a breath. The Moon is for sale but the longtime owners are not in a hurry and are committed to preserving its legacy as a gay-friendly space.

“We had no idea the interest this would create,” Tim Ragan, one of the owners, told the Blade this week. “I guess I was a little naive about that.”

Ragan explained that he and longtime partner Randy Haney are separating the real estate from the business. The two buildings associated with the sale are listed by Carrie Lingo at 35 Baltimore Ave., and include an apartment, the front restaurant (6,600 square feet with three floors and a basement), and a secondary building (roughly 1,800 square feet on two floors). They are listed for $4.5 million. 

The bar and restaurant business is being sold separately; the price has not been publicly disclosed. 

But Ragan, who has owned the Moon for 20 years, told the Blade nothing is imminent and that the Moon remains open through the holidays and is scheduled to reopen for the 2026 season on Feb. 10. He has already scheduled some 2026 entertainment. 

“It’s time to look for the next people who can continue the history of the Moon and cultivate the next chapter,” Ragan said, noting that he turns 70 next year. “We’re not panicked; we separated the building from the business. Some buyers can’t afford both.” 

He said there have been many inquiries and they’ve considered some offers but nothing is firm yet. 

Given the Moon’s pioneering role in queering Rehoboth Beach since its debut 44 years ago in 1981, many LGBTQ visitors and residents are concerned about losing such an iconic queer space to redevelopment or chain ownership.

“That’s the No. 1 consideration,” Ragan said, “preserving a commitment to the gay community and honoring its history. The legacy needs to continue.” He added that they are not inclined to sell to one of the local restaurant chains.

You can view the real estate listing here.

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