The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce has announced a grand total of $53,227 in charitable contributions raised by the 2026 Fire & Ice Festival “In the First State.” The accomplishment was shared and celebrated at the Chamber’s February Business After Hours at The Salted Rim Margarita Bar & Grille in Millville on Thursday, February 26th. Chamber members, festival sponsors, and beneficiaries were among those in attendance.
Beneficiaries of the 2026 Fire & Ice Festival were presented with this year’s funds in a check presentation ceremony at the Business After Hours event. The 2026 recipients are Beebe Healthcare South Coastal Emergency Department and Cancer Center, Bethany Beach Volunteer Fire Company, Delaware State Parks, Historic Village in Ocean View, John M. Clayton Elementary School PTO, Lord Baltimore Elementary School, Mason Dixon VFW Post 7234, Millville Volunteer Fire Company, Meals on Wheels (CHEER, Inc.), Quiet Resorts Charitable Foundation, Roxana Volunteer Fire Company, Santa’s Letters, and Sussex County Habitat for Humanity.
The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce also celebrates the contributions of 105 sponsors and partners, 39 volunteers, and all eight Quiet Resorts towns who made the 2026 Fire & Ice Festival possible. This year’s “In the First State” theme kicked off a year-long celebration of Delaware’s 250th anniversary, featuring new events and nearly 70,000 pounds in ice sculptures that recognized the first state. The 2026 festival invested $43,000 locally and contributed to a 3.3% average increase from 2025 in out-of-market visitation in the host site towns of Bethany Beach, Frankford, Millville, and Ocean View.
View the official festival photo gallery, thank you, and impact report at fireandicede.com. Save the date for the 10thannual Fire & Ice Festival January 29-31, 2027!
