Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce unveils new Merchandise for 250th Anniversary

BETHANY BEACH, Del. — The Bethany-Fenwick Area Chamber of Commerce is launching a new line of “In the First State” merchandise as Delaware begins a yearlong celebration of its 250th anniversary.

The collection, designed by Philadelphia-based artist Paul Carpenter, features artwork inspired by Delaware’s beaches and the state’s historic and nostalgic imagery. The designs will debut on Comfort Color T-shirts and signed prints, with the first items released during the 2026 Fire & Ice “In the First State” Festival in late January.

Chamber officials said the project grew out of an internal collaboration originally created for the Fire & Ice Festival and expanded into a broader merchandise launch tied to the state’s anniversary milestone.

Carpenter drew on his longtime personal connection to Delaware’s coastal communities, incorporating recognizable and historic elements that reflect the state’s identity. Additional merchandise selections are expected to rotate throughout the year.

T-shirts, available in adult sizes, are priced at $25. Signed 4-by-6-inch prints cost $10, and signed 11-by-14-inch prints are $20. Items are available for presale through thequietresorts.com and fireandicede.com.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to support Delaware State Parks. Customers who preorder merchandise may pick up their items at the festival’s merchandise tent in downtown Bethany Beach on Friday, Jan. 30, and Saturday, Jan. 31, during the Fire & Ice Festival.