Selbyville · History and events
Selbyville, Delaware: history and events
History, lore, events and occasions in Selbyville, Sussex County, Delaware: 11 questions answered from official and primary sources.
More about Selbyville
Questions about history and events in Selbyville
History and lore
When was Selbyville founded and incorporated?
Selbyville was founded in January 1778 when five men bought the 250-acre Sandy Branch tract with a gristmill and sawmill. It was incorporated in 1901 as "The Commissioners of the Town of Selbyville." Source: selbyville.delaware.gov, archives.delaware.gov.
How did Selbyville get its name?
Sampson Selby began marking packages from his country store as "Selby-Ville" in 1842, and the name stuck. The place was earlier called Sandy Branch. Source: selbyville.delaware.gov, archives.delaware.gov.
Why is Selbyville tied to strawberries?
By 1918 Selbyville was the leading strawberry supplier on the East Coast, and strawberries stayed a major part of the economy into the 1930s. Source: selbyville.delaware.gov.
What is Selbyville known for?
The town says chicken processing is a main income source for area residents and farmers, and Mountaire Farms hosts a Thanksgiving for Thousands event each year. Woody's Diner at 38218 Dupont Blvd. has been owned by the Doyle family since 1983, and a state historical marker calls it the oldest operating and best-preserved Silk City diner car in the state. By 1918 Selbyville was the prime East Coast supplier of strawberries. Source: selbyville.delaware.gov, archives.delaware.gov.
What famous visitors came to Selbyville?
Eleanor Roosevelt and Richard Nixon were among the visitors to the Selbyville home of John G. Townsend Jr. (governor 1917-1921, U.S. senator 1929-1941). His family donated the 1904 house after his death, and it is now the Selbyville Public Library. Source: archives.delaware.gov, selbyville.delaware.gov.
How did the Selbyville charter change over time?
The town was re-incorporated in 1911 and 1931, and in 2001 as the Town of Selbyville under a charter with a mayor and four-member council. Source: archives.delaware.gov.
Events, holidays and occasions
When is Old Timers Day in Selbyville?
Selbyville's Old Timers Day is a June car show and festival on Church Street. The organizer lists the 70th annual event for Saturday, June 12, 2027, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., with 100 or more vehicles, music and food. Source: oldtimersdayde.com.
When is the Selbyville Christmas parade?
The parade runs on Church Street at 7 p.m. on a Friday in early December. In 2025 it was Friday, December 5, billed as the 64th annual. Source: coastalpoint.com.
Is Selbyville part of the Fire and Ice Festival?
The town website promotes the festival, which is led by the Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce. The 2026 festival ran January 30 to February 1. Source: selbyville.delaware.gov, selbyville.delaware.gov.
Where is the nearest farmers market to Selbyville?
The closest listed markets are in Bethany Beach (Sundays) and Fenwick Island (Fridays, June 5 to September 4 in 2026). Source: agriculture.delaware.gov.
Is Return Day a holiday in Selbyville?
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.