The Lewes Chamber of Commerce continues its partnership with Lewes in Bloom, The Lewes Historical Society, Lewes Parks & Recreation, the Zwaanendael Museum and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market to present the sixth annual Lewes Tulip Celebration, April 9-1 8 this year. A broad-based committee, chaired by chamber-member and Mayor Ted Becker, is working on all aspects of the multifaceted event. This year’s celebration is receiving financial sponsorship by chamber-member Fulton Bank for the third consecutive year.
The timing of the tulips’ appearance is an inexact science and to that end, the committee decided to expand the time frame of the event to enhance the chances that the tulips will be visible during the event. The event dates span two weekends with special events planned on the first weekend.
For the first three years, Lewes in Bloom members and other community volunteers manually planted all the tulips in the City’s parks and public spaces. For the volunteers, it was a laborious task. According to Chairman Ted Becker, “Fulton Bank’s generous sponsorship again this year enabled us to have many of the tulips planted by a local landscaping company and will allow us to expand the festival’s marketing initiatives.” Additionally, Lewes in Bloom volunteers also planted a number of bulbs in planters and beds that they maintain in the City.
The tulip planting locations as well as Lewes’ historic landmarks will be included on the Tiptoe To The Tulips Map and the Tiptoe To The Tulips Trolley Tours coordinated with the Cape May-Lewes Ferry with docents from the Lewes Historical Society and Warren Golde, co-chair of Lewes in Bloom. The trolley tours are scheduled for Thursday at 11:15 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.; Friday at 12:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. and Saturday at 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:45 p.m. The Tulip Trolley Tours are $10 and reservations can be made by calling the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.
The event organizers created the Tip Toe To The Tulips Map with an associated ticket. Tiptoe To The Tulip Tickets (separate and different from the Tulip Trolley Tickets) are free and will be distributed with each map. Ticket-holders, who visit 10 of the businesses that have advertisements surrounding the map and get their ticket stamped, will be entered in drawings for individual gift certificates donated by the participating businesses. The maps and tickets can be picked up beginning Thursday, April 9 through Saturday, April 18 at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce’s visitor center in the Fisher-Martin house located in Zwaanendael Park behind the Zwaanendael Museum. Completed tickets can be turned at the Chamber’s visitor center, which is closed on Sunday. Tickets also can be turned in on Sunday, April 19 at either Sand N Stones or Marsha’s Co., both located on Front Street across from the 1812 Parking Lot. Ticket holders need not be present to win. The drawing will be held on Monday, April 20 and winners will be notified by phone or e-mail.
A photography contest is another component of the festival with judging in five categories – Lewes Architecture, Lewes Landscapes, Quintessential Lewes (subject matter that is uniquely Lewes), Tulips (images must be photographed in the Lewes geographic area) and Lewes Food. The cost to enter the contest is $5 per submission with a maximum of five entries per photographer. Monetary awards will be made for first, second and third place in each of the five subject categories. The judges are all professional photographers and chamber members. Additionally, visitors to the photography exhibit will have the opportunity to select their favorite photograph and the winner will be awarded a special ribbon at the 2 p.m. ceremony on April 11. The Grand Prize winner will receive a cash prize of $100 from the chamber. Entries will be accepted beginning March 9 at the chamber’s visitor center in the Fisher-Martin House at 120 Kings Highway. Deadline for entry is March 27 and the awards will be presented April 11 at 2 p.m. For entry rules and more information, call the chamber at 645-8073 or visit www.LewesChamber.com. The photographs will be on display in Zwaanendael Park on April 9 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. and April 10 & 11 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Some of the associated activities taking place are as follows:
- The Tulip Festival Quilt Exhibit with floral themes is hosted by Mare’s Bears in the lobby of the Beacon Motel at 514 East Savannah Road on Friday and Saturday only - 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- A delft exhibit at the Zwaanendael Museum can be viewed during their hours of operation - (10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) as well as participating in Dutch games in Zwaanendael Park on Saturday, April 11.
- Flower arranging demonstration at Flowers by Mayumi, 128 Second Street
- The Lewes Historical Society is hosting two new events this year on Saturday, April 11 - an Antiques Sale in the Rabbits-Ferry House from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and in the Burton-Ingram House from Noon -3 p.m., fun, educational children’s activities will be taking place.
- King’s Ice Cream at 201 Second Street will be serving Dutch Chocolate and one other Dutch flavor ice cream. They will be open Fridays from 1 - 9 p.m., Saturdays from Noon- 9 p.m., Sundays from Noon - 5 p.m. and Monday through Thursday 1 - 5 p.m.
- R & L Liquors at 207 Second Street will be hosting a Dutch Beer Tasting from m 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Lewes in Bloom and East Coast Garden Center will be selling plants in Zwaanendael Park on Saturday, April 11.
- The Zwaanendael Women’s Club will be hosting an Open House on April 11 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. at their clubhouse at the corner of Third Street and Savannah Road.
- Cape Artists will be painting in Zwaanendael Park on April 11, weather permitting.
The final schedule of events will be available in early April and the Tiptoe To The Tulips Map and Tulip Tickets will be available at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, April 9. For more information, contact the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at (302)645-8073.