Sunshine spurs Memorial Day crowds in Rehoboth Beach (photos)

Thousands of visitors descended on Delaware’s beaches to enjoy the sun, sand and surf on the first weekend of the unofficial summer season.

While it seems like the entire month of May has been a washout, the Memorial Day weekend brought sunny skies and warm temperatures encouraging visitors to get out and enjoy the summer-like conditions along Rehoboth Beach.

Summer officially starts on June 20, but don’t tell that to tourists and merchants at the Delaware beaches. A warm Memorial Day weekend kicked off what business owners hope will be a season-long stretch of crowded beaches.

Heading into the first weekend in June, Rehoboth Beach will host a new event called Beach Goes Blue featuring live blues music at the Rehoboth bandstand and special blue-related food items all day Saturday, June 4. . At 9 p.m., the beach will literally turn blue for the Beach Goes Blue Laser Show on the beach held at the end of Rehoboth Avenue and Boardwalk.

On Sunday, June 5 through Friday, June 10, Rehoboth restaurant week will be held with 3-course menu specials priced at $25, 35, or $45 at more than 30 participating restaurants.