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DNREC at the Delaware State Fair

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control welcomes Delaware State Fair visitors to DNREC’s climate-controlled building on the fairgrounds at the corner of Holloway Avenue and East Rider Road. The 2025 State Fair runs from July 17 through July 26, 2025.

A variety of people, including families with children, stand outside the entrance of a building on the state fairgrounds. There are large photos of natural areas on the side of the building.

Visitors will learn about the science behind the work of DNREC, and its partners, to protect the environment and public health through displays and hands-on activities.

Displays in the DNREC building include a large touch tank, to bring visitors up close to native aquatic life. Outside, a shiny Airstream trailer will feature information on camping and other fun things to do at Delaware’s beautiful state parks.

Stop by the Division of Fish and Wildlife booth in the DNREC building to buy your Delaware hunting or fishing licenses, boat registration renewal or your Conservation Access Pass.

There will be activities on the DNREC porch and visitors are invited to stroll across the street to check out a variety of DNREC Natural Resources Police and Emergency Response equipment.

Admission to DNREC programs is free. The building is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the ten days of the fair.

Get to Know Us

Throughout the Fair, there will be staff from several DNREC divisions in the front room of the DNREC building ready to share some of their work, and fun, with visitors.

A DNREC staff person discusses recycling with a visitor at the Delaware State Fair.

The Division of Climate, Coastal and Energy will showcase their “Climate Living Room,” where people can come sit and talk with DNREC staff about their climate concerns and what they think should be done. 

The Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances will feature a different theme on each day of the Fair, highlighting the programs and people of the division. There will be interactive games and a selfie frame to take pictures with for your social media accounts. Learn about recycling, composting and much more.

Did you ever wonder how a well gets drilled? Stop by the Division of Water table to find out! And to learn about wetlands, water quality, how we handle our wastewater and stormwater and more.

Staff from the Division of Watershed Stewardship will share tips and tricks that help improve local water quality, provide habitat for our wildlife, improve recreational activities, and sustain healthy watersheds. 

What’s Happening in the DNREC Building

The following is a day-by-day breakdown of what you will find in the DNREC Building at the Fair. This schedule is subject to change, so please check back to see what has popped up.


July 17, 2025

11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Stop by the Partner Booth to learn how the Sussex County Land Trust is preserving open space and creating outdoor access across Sussex County. Discover the properties they have protected, explore their mission and see how land conservation benefits the community. Kids can take home a free coloring book and crayons (while supplies last).

Noon to 5 p.m.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will have their Archery Trailer and Vehicle Display set up in the nearby machine lot. Come try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow. Learn basic archery safety and shooting and have an opportunity for hands-on instruction shooting a bow.

Vehicles used by the Natural Resources Police will also be on display.


July 18, 2025

10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Come see a Sand Sculpting Display on the DNREC porch. Watch as skilled sculptors transform a pile of sand into fantastic new forms.

11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

The Partnership for the Delaware Estuary will be featured at the Partner Booth.

What would you like your shorelines to look like? Come test out an interactive living shoreline model and learn more about the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary.

Noon to 5 p.m.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will have their Archery Trailer and Vehicle Display set up in the nearby machine lot. Come try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow. Learn basic archery safety and shooting and have an opportunity for hands-on instruction shooting a bow.

Vehicles used by the Natural Resources Police will also be on display.


July 19, 2025

11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Stop by the Partner Booth to learn about the Delaware Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. Learn about hunter education programs, mentored hunts, legislative efforts and their commitment to maintaining healthy hardwood forests, stopping habitat loss, and increasing habitat diversity and winter wildlife survival. 

1 to 2 p.m.

Stop by the DNREC porch to see a variety of birds of prey and learn more about them.

Noon to 5 p.m.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will have their Archery Trailer and Vehicle Display set up in the nearby machine lot. Come try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow. Learn basic archery safety and shooting and have an opportunity for hands-on instruction shooting a bow.

Vehicles used by the Natural Resources Police will also be on display.


July 20, 2025

2 to 3 p.m.

Stop by the DNREC porch to see a variety of birds of prey and learn more about them.

Noon to 5 p.m.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will have their Archery Trailer and Vehicle Display set up in the nearby machine lot. Come try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow. Learn basic archery safety and shooting and have an opportunity for hands-on instruction shooting a bow.

Vehicles used by the Natural Resources Police will also be on display.


July 21, 2025 (Seniors’ Day)

11 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Stop by the DNREC Partner Booth and learn all about ticks and mosquitos from meet Dr. Ashley Kennedy, the DNREC tick biologist.

Noon to 5 p.m.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will have their Archery Trailer and Vehicle Display set up in the nearby machine lot. Come try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow. Learn basic archery safety and shooting and have an opportunity for hands-on instruction shooting a bow.

Vehicles used by the Natural Resources Police will also be on display.


July 22, 2025 (Kids’ Day)

10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Division of Air Quality will be at the Partner Booth offering information about the work of the Division, including an interactive educational activity with prizes. 

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Learn about the Brandywine Zoo and meet an animal ambassador or two.

10 a.m. to Noon

Come play Colonial Games with staff from the First State Heritage Park.

Games today are not all that different from those played in the 18th Century. Games and toys such as ball and cup and Jacob’s ladder will be familiar to the modern eye, but those like Graces and Shut the Box will become the new family game night choice.

Noon to 5 p.m.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will have their Archery Trailer and Vehicle Display set up in the nearby machine lot. Come try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow. Learn basic archery safety and shooting and have an opportunity for hands-on instruction shooting a bow.

Vehicles used by the Natural Resources Police will also be on display.

1 to 2 p.m.

Kids are welcome to come to the DNEC Porch and make bluebird boxes they can take home to paint. Youth Conservation Corps members will be on hand to assist.

1 to 2 p.m.

Visit staff with the Division of Water outside, by the well exhibit, to learn more about wells, septic systems, wastewater and wastewater treatment, groundwater allocations and wetlands.

2 to 3 p.m.

Stop by the DNREC porch to see a variety of birds of prey and learn more about them.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Make Sand Art on the DNREC Porch. Learn about Delaware’s geology with the Division of Water’s Resource Protection Section. Everyone that visits will be able to make a sand art tube showing important geology in Delaware and how that affects those living in Delaware.


July 23, 2025

10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Division of Air Quality will be at the Partner Booth offering information about the work of the Division, including an interactive educational activity with prizes. 

Noon to 5 p.m.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will have their Archery Trailer and Vehicle Display set up in the nearby machine lot. Come try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow. Learn basic archery safety and shooting and have an opportunity for hands-on instruction shooting a bow.

Vehicles used by the Natural Resources Police will also be on display.


July 24, 2025 (Governor’s Day/Seniors Day)

10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Come see a Sand Sculpting Display on the DNREC porch. Watch as skilled sculptors transform a pile of sand into fantastic new forms.

10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Division of Air Quality will be at the Partner Booth offering information about the work of the Division, including an interactive educational activity with prizes. 

1 p.m.

Delaware Governor Matt Meyer will join DNREC will join DNREC Secretary Greg Patterson for a tour of the DNREC Building and exhibits, followed by presenting awards to the photo contest winners and the overall youth fishing tournament winner.

1 to 2 p.m.

Kids are welcome to come to the DNEC Porch and make bluebird boxes they can take home to paint. Youth Conservation Corps members will be on hand to assist.

1 to 2 p.m.

Visit staff with the Division of Water outside, by the well exhibit, to learn more about wells, septic systems, wastewater and wastewater treatment, groundwater allocations and wetlands.

1 to 2 p.m.

Stop by the DNREC porch to see a variety of birds of prey and learn more about them.

2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Make Sand Art on the DNREC Porch. Learn about Delaware’s geology with the Division of Water’s Resource Protection Section. Everyone that visits will be able to make a sand art tube showing important geology in Delaware and how that affects those living in Delaware.

Noon to 5 p.m.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will have their Archery Trailer and Vehicle Display set up in the nearby machine lot. Come try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow. Learn basic archery safety and shooting and have an opportunity for hands-on instruction shooting a bow.

Vehicles used by the Natural Resources Police will also be on display.


July 25, 2025

11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Division of Air Quality will be at the Partner Booth offering information about the work of the Division, including an interactive educational activity with prizes. 

1 to 2 p.m.

Stop by the DNREC porch to see a variety of birds of prey and learn more about them.

Noon to 5 p.m.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will have their Archery Trailer and Vehicle Display set up in the nearby machine lot. Come try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow. Learn basic archery safety and shooting and have an opportunity for hands-on instruction shooting a bow.

Vehicles used by the Natural Resources Police will also be on display.


July 25, 2025

11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Division of Air Quality will be at the Partner Booth offering information about the work of the Division, including an interactive educational activity with prizes. 

Noon to 5 p.m.

The DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife will have their Archery Trailer and Vehicle Display set up in the nearby machine lot. Come try your hand at shooting with a bow and arrow. Learn basic archery safety and shooting and have an opportunity for hands-on instruction shooting a bow.

Vehicles used by the Natural Resources Police will also be on display.

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