91 st ANNUAL LEWES CHRISTMAS PARADE
TAKES PLACE ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2023 AT 5 PM
WALLY EVANS NAMED AS HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL
This year’s annual Lewes Christmas parade, presented by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, takes place on December 2, 2023 at 5 p.m. (Rain/Snow Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023 at the same time.) The parade’s theme is “Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Christmas in Lewes.” The parade organizing committee is co-chaired by Craig Beebe of NextHome Tomorrow Realty and G.W. Thompson of nerds to go. Chamber board director Jim Smith of Delmarva Power and Michael DiPaolo of the Delaware Community Foundation will reprise their roles as parade announcers. Wally Evans has been selected to be this year’s Honorary Grand Marshal. In 2024, he will begin his 50th year as a member of the Lewes Volunteer Fire Department. During these five decades the number of fire calls each year has tripled from about 125 in 1974 to more than 900 per year now. The growth in ambulance calls has been even more dramatic, from 300 calls in 1974 to more than 5,000 per year now. Evans has served 14 years as fire chief and several stints as chief engineer, deputy fire chief and assistant chief. He currently serves as chairman of the ambulance purchasing committee with two new units scheduled for delivery in 2024. He is also chairing the committee overseeing a million-dollar renovation of the fire department’s Station One on Savannah Road. Why has Wally dedicated his life to the fire service? It’s simple he says: “I enjoy helping people.”
Prizes are awarded in a number of categories including a prize that was introduced four years ago recognizing entrants that add an exceptional sound component to their entry. The other prize categories are: Marching Group, Band, Clown, Equestrian, Decorated Classic Car (vintage 1967 or older), Decorated Vehicle (after 1967 or more recent), Fire Company, Commercial Float, Community Organization Float and Youth Organization Float.
The Parade route starts on Savannah Road at Lewes Elementary School and
proceeds down Savannah toward the commercial district and
turns left onto Second Street.
Parade entrants must register in advance, no later than November 17. Pre-registered entrants will receive their line up times , numbers and instruction by mail the following week. To register an entry, contact the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 302-645-8073 Monday-Friday from 10 am to 4 pm or in person at the Visitor Center at 120 Kings Highway in Zwaanendael Park, next to the Zwaanendael Museum during those same hours.