December 3rd, 2022 - 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
The 90th annual Lewes Christmas parade, presented by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, takes place on December 3 at 5 p.m. The parade kicks off at the main entrance to the Lewes Elementary School parking lot on Savannah Road and travels down Savannah to Second Street, ending in front of King’s Ice Cream shop.
Immediately following the parade, the public is invited to join Mayor Andrew Williams as he officially illuminates the Christmas Tree in Zwaanendael Park, followed by candlelight caroling in the park, led by Christy Taylor with some of her music students. For the seventh year, the City has made arrangements to have a fresh-cut tree moved into the park. Mr. Pat Henry and his wife Pat donated the 30’ Evergreen tree. Sussex Tree donated the time and equipment to put up the tree and transport it to the park.
When the mayor lights the tree, he will be doing so with a ceremonial switch fabricated by Ed Tessein for Lewes Lights in 2020 for the inaugural Lewes Lights opening ceremony on Sussex Drive. The switch is 5 feet tall by 2 ½ feet wide. Ed designed the oversized wood switch and incorporated a custom magnetic mechanism that holds the switch in an upright position. The Lewes Lights switch sits in front of Ed’s house on Sussex Drive annually in December for spectators to view and provides a holiday photo opportunity! Both Ed, his wife Kathy and Lewes Lights organizers are thrilled that this switch has a new purpose in 2022 by illuminating the Lewes Christmas Tree while simultaneously declaring the official start of Lewes Lights. For more information visit www.LewesLights.org.
Christy Taylor has been leading the caroling in Zwaanendael Park with the students from her music school for more than 30 years. This year, for the first time, Taylor Music Studio instrumental students will join vocal students. Participating Taylor Music Studio students include Dylan Thomas-piano/vocals; Grace Thomas-bass/vocals; Jack Thomas-drums/trumpet; Keenan Williams-guitar; Bodhi Williams-Djembe drum; Sara Freih, Sophi Swier and Tarraye Sturgis-special vocalists.
The sound equipment and operation for both the parade announcers and the caroling is provided by Mark Taylor of Taylor Music Studio.