18th Annual Boast The Coast Maritime Festival - Saturday, October 5th

Children's activities during Boast the Coast Festival

Boat parade entries are being accepted now through October 5!  It does not cost anything for boat owners to enter the parade and all registered boat entries will be eligible for three cash prizes.

The Lewes Chamber of Commerce presents the 18th Annual BOAST THE COAST event that takes place in Lewes on Saturday, October 5 with maritime-themed activities throughout the day and into the evening. The Boast the Coast activities in 1812 Park and at the City Dock begin at 11 a.m. Other events taking place that day include the Lewes Historical Society Craft Show, the Lewes in Bloom Fall Plant Sale beginning at 9 a.m. and the Historic District Merchants’ Fall Sidewalk Sale from 10 – 5 p.m. The Lighted Boat Parade culminates the day’s activities at dusk on the canal. Lewes Mayor Jim Ford will announce the parade from the judge’s reviewing stand at Fisherman’s Wharf. Participating boat captains and their crew will be hosted at a reception immediately following the parade. The reception is sponsored by the Blue Sea Café on Second Street.

The free boat tours at the City Dock begin at 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Free boat tours will be offered on the very popular Cape Water Taxi. The taxi will take passengers for a short ride on the canal. The Lewes Fire Department’s Fire Boat also will be at City Dock, offering the opportunity to tour their vessel.

Other activities associated with the event include a Seafood Tasting at 1812 Park featuring specialties priced individually,  prepared by numerous chamber-member restaurants. Also at 1812 Park, the Family Fun Tent will feature the entertaining Flumpa the Tree Frog musical show and Chuckles the Clown’s pirate-themed magic show. The Lewes Historical Society’s Maritime History Museum located in the Cannonball House will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for free tours featuring their extensive collection reflecting Lewes’ maritime history. The Lightship Overfalls, berthed in the Canalfront Park on Front Street and designated a National Historic Landmark, will be open for free tours from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Boats participating in the Lighted Boat Parade will leave Roosevelt Inlet around 6:30 p.m. and arrive at the City Dock/Fisherman’s Wharf area around 7 p.m. 

The event chairman, Lewes Chamber of Commerce board member Orville Mills of George Sherman Corp. will serve as the Head Judge and with the other judges will view the Lighted Boat Parade from the deck of one of the boats at Fisherman’s Wharf.

It does not cost anything for boat owners to enter the parade and all registered boat entries will be eligible for three cash prizes. To register, boat owners can pick up entries at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce visitor center in the Fisher-Martin House next to the Zwaanendael Museum or call 645-8073 to have one mailed. ALL REGISTRATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOON, OCTOBER 5.

Contact Chamber

Phone 302-645-8073
Toll-Free 877-465-3937

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Chamber Hours of Operation

Year Round
Monday - Friday  10 am - 4 pm

Memorial Day to Labor Day Weekends
Saturdays 10 am - 3 pm
Sundays and Holidays 10 am - 2 pm

Columbus Day Weekend to weekend before Memorial Day
Saturdays and Sundays - closed