Seaford · History and events
Seaford, Delaware: history and events
History, lore, events and occasions in Seaford, Sussex County, Delaware: 12 questions answered from official and primary sources.
More about Seaford
Questions about history and events in Seaford
History and lore
When was Seaford incorporated?
Seaford received its charter and was incorporated April 6, 1865. Source: seafordde.com.
How did Seaford get its name?
Seaford's original name was Hooper's Landing, which the ship on the city seal represents along with shipping on the Nanticoke River. A Delaware Public Archives marker says the town was laid out in 1799 as Hooper's Landing and first incorporated in 1865. Neither source explains how the name Seaford was chosen. Source: seafordde.com, archives.delaware.gov.
Why was Seaford called the Nylon Capital of the World?
In 1939 DuPont chose Seaford for the world's first nylon plant, earning the town the nickname "Nylon Capital of the World." Source: seafordde.com.
What is the earliest recorded settlement near Seaford?
"Martin's Hundred," a 1,750-acre tract between the Nanticoke River and Herring Creek, was granted to Jeremiah Jadwin of Virginia on January 22, 1672. The area was part of Dorchester County, Maryland until Mason and Dixon set the boundary in 1763. Source: seafordde.com.
What historic sites are in Seaford?
National Register of Historic Places listings in Seaford include the Gov. William H. Ross House (listed October 28, 1977), St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church, Burton Hardware Store and Hearn and Rawlins Mill (1978), and the First National Bank of Seaford and J. W. Cox Dry Goods Store (1987). The Ross house is a brick Italianate villa built about 1859, according to the National Register nomination and a state historical marker. The city's history page gives 1850. Source: nps.gov, npgallery.nps.gov, archives.delaware.gov.
How did poultry change Seaford?
After new housing and feeding methods arrived in 1925, the poultry industry grew, and Sussex County became the largest chicken-producing area in the world. Source: seafordde.com.
Who designed Seaford's city seal?
Seaford police patrolman Gary R. Blake designed the seal in 1961. In 2003 the council added the year 1865 and corrected "Capitol" to "Capital." Source: seafordde.com.
Events, holidays and occasions
When is Nanticoke Riverfest in Seaford?
Nanticoke Riverfest is held in downtown Seaford in July, with a Float-In, Duck Dash, canoe and kayak races, a car show and a boat parade. The 2022 festival was the 27th. No 2027 date was found. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com, wmdt.com.
When is the Eastern Shore AFRAM Festival?
It is held on the second Saturday of August at the Seaford Sports Complex, with cultural foods, exhibits and free live music. Source: visitsoutherndelaware.com.
When is the Seaford Christmas parade?
The parade steps off at 7 p.m. on a Saturday in early December. In 2025 it was Saturday, December 6, themed Candyland Christmas, with no rain date. The city site lists a 2026 parade but showed no date. Source: seafordde.com, seafordde.com.
What fall events happen in Seaford?
Downtown Seaford's calendar showed a Fall Harvest Festival on October 24, 2026, and a Halloween Parade on Cedar Avenue on October 28, 2026. The Seaford Historical Society has also held a community fall festival at Governor Ross Mansion. Source: seafordde.com, visitsoutherndelaware.com.
Is Return Day a holiday in Seaford?
Return Day is a Sussex County legal holiday under Delaware Code Title 1, Section 501: the second day after the General Election, after 12:00 noon. It falls on the Thursday after Election Day in even-numbered years, and in 2026 that is November 5. The main celebration is held in Georgetown. Source: delcode.delaware.gov, visitsoutherndelaware.com, dagsboro.delaware.gov.
How these answers are sourced
Every answer on this page cites an official or primary source, such as the town, a state agency, NOAA or the institution itself. Answers SussexCounty.ai could not confirm from a primary source are left out until they can be.