BOAST THE COAST MAKES A SPLASH THIS YEAR ON SEPTEMBER 30
The Lewes Chamber of Commerce’s 22nd annual Boast the Coast event takes place on September 30, 2017 with some new activities associated with a full day of events hosted by numerous Lewes organizations. In addition to the free boat tours of New Jersey’s tall ship, the A. J. Meerwald, the chamber is partnering with two of its members – the Lewes Historical Society and Cape Water Tours & Taxi – to offer two, free one-hour tours entitled “Where the River Meets the Sea.” Tour goers will be transported on the Cape Water Taxi from City Dock in 1812 Park up the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal to Beach Plum Island Preserve, located on the west side of Roosevelt Inlet in Lewes. It is one of the last undeveloped barrier islands in Delaware. Disturbance of the natural vegetation and wildlife by human visitation is prohibited. The island is bordered by the Delaware Bay and the Broadkill River. The 60 minute cruise will leave City Dock at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Along the way, knowledgeable Lewes Historical Society guides on board will narrate maritime tales of Lewes’ past industries and residents, paired with fascinating facts about local waterfowl and sea creatures that have made up the Cape Henlopen watershed area their home for centuries. There are a limited number of tickets available for these free tours.
Thanks to generous sponsorships from Lewes organizations and businesses, the chamber has offered almost all their events at no cost. A complete list of sponsors will be included in the Boat the Coast program to be distributed at the events. There will be a number of free tours available on Boast the Coast day including at the new Lewes History Museum under the auspices of the Lewes Historical Society (LHS), located on Adams Avenue in the Margaret H. Rollins Community Center, as well as two other LHS museums - their maritime history museum in the historic Cannonball House on Front Street and their Life Saving Station. The Lightship Overfalls, located a little further down Front Street, adjacent to the Society’s Life Saving Station on the canal will also be open for free tours on Saturday, September 30, pending work on its hull. In 1812 Park, there will be free activities for children and their families including a new activity this year – nautically-themed face painting by Catherine Flaherty and balloon art by Chuckles the Clown. Concurrently, event goers can purchase their lunch at a Seafood Tasting by participating Lewes Chamber restaurant members Irish Eyes (an Admiral Level Sponsor) and Jerry’s Seafood.
Other events taking place in Lewes as part of Boast the Coast include the annual Lewes Merchants’ Fall Sidewalk Sales that begin Friday, September 29 through Sunday, October 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Friends of the Lewes Canalfront Park are presenting their first Oktoberfest from 2 – 6 p.m. in the park. Admission tickets are $10 and are available at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce visitor center at 120 Kings Highway. Food and beverages are available for an additional charge. Their event is Rain or Shine. Some of the other events associated with Boast the Coast may be subject to cancellation if the weather doesn’t cooperate! The additional events include the Historic Farmers Market in George H.P. Smith Park from 8 a.m. to Noon; the Zwaanendael Museum’s Maritime Program including a lecture, “A Dead Whale or a Stove Boat: the Whaling Industry at 19th Century America,” at 2 p.m. by staff member Andrew Lyter, with Block & Tackle demonstrations and a craft from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the Lewes Library Book Sale from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at 111 Adams Avenue; the Lewes Historical Society’s Craft Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on its campus at the end of Second Street at Shipcarpenter Street; and the Cape Artists’ Open House at their Third Street Gallery from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with light refreshments.
On Sunday, October 1, the University of Delaware hosts Coast Day on their Lewes campus at 700 Pilottown Road from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on Coast Day, visit www.decoastday.org or call 302-381-8083.
For more information about Boast the Coast activities, visit the Lewes Chamber of Commerce website – www.LewesChamber.com – or contact them at 302-645-8073; 877-465-3937.