87th Annual Lewes CHRISTMAS PARADE on Saturday, December 1 AT 5 PM

 

This year’s annual Lewes Christmas parade, presented by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, takes place on December 1 at 5 p.m. (Rain/Snow Date: Saturday, December 8 at the same time.) The parade’s theme is “Celebrating an Old Fashioned Christmas in Lewes.” 
 

Two community volunteers have been named Co-Honorary Grand Marshals – Wendell Alfred and Mike Clemmer, recognizing their service to many Lewes organizations. Wendell recently completed 18 years on the Lewes Board of Public Works including the last seven as Board President. Both men have served as President of the Beebe Medical Center Auxiliary and are the Co-Founders of Beebe’s Treasure Chest Thrift Shop, an Auxiliary project. Wendell has contributed more than 5,000 hours as an Auxiliary volunteer and serves on the Cemetery committee at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Mike is currently a member of the Beebe Healthcare Board of Directors and previously has worked as Executive Director of the Beebe Medical Foundation and the Greater Lewes Foundation. He has also served on the Lewes Planning Commission and a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church’s Financial Affairs Committee as well as managing Beebe’s Gift Shop for eight years. They epitomize the spirit of volunteerism that is so prevalent in Lewes and energizes so many organizations that enhance the quality of life for so many residents.
 

Prizes are awarded in a number of categories including a new prize this year, funded by John Ellsworth, a longtime parade entrant and multiple times winner of the Best Original Entry prize. John is encouraging entrants to add a sound component to their entries and is funding three cash awards, 1st, 2nd and 3rd place, for those entries that enhance their entries. 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. ALL entries need to be decorated. Entrants will be notified in a mailing after November 22 with their entry number and their parade lineup time.  The parade line up takes place from 3:30-4:15 p.m. and the parade begins on Savannah Road at Sussex Drive and will end on Second Street.  Entrants for Saturday’s parade are asked to commit to the Rain/Snow date on the following Saturday, if it is necessary.
 

After the parade, the tradition has been to officially illuminate the Christmas tree in Zwaanendael Park followed by candlelight caroling in the park, led by Christy Taylor with sound by Bill Larsen.  For the second year, the City has made arrangements to have a fresh-cut tree moved into Zwaanendael Park between the museum and the Fisher-Martin House.  This year’s tree is a 25 foot Blue Spruce, donated by Steve Kuhls of Minnesota Street in Sand Dune Village off New Road in Lewes. The tree lighting ceremony will commence shortly after the last parade entry passes by the judges’ reviewing stand in Zwaanendael Park.
 

The Christmas Parade is the culmination of a number of special events and activities associated with the celebration of the Christmas Weekend in Historic Lewes. The festivities kick off on Thursday, November 29, with the Lewes Merchants’ 32nd annual Hospitality Night from 5-8 p.m. in the historic commercial district surrounding Second Street. Second Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 4 - 8 p.m. on Thursday night. Santa will make a brief visit to his Lewes house in front of Citizens Bank that evening in advance of his arrival at the Lewes Christmas Parade on Saturday night. On Friday, November 30, the Children’s Beach House (CBH) hosts a Winter White Holiday Celebration benefit from 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. The benefit is open to the public and tickets can be purchased by calling 302-645-9184 or on line at CBHINC.org.  On Saturday, CBH will host an Art Exhibit & Sale in their facility at 1800 Bay Avenue from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Lewes Historical Society’s 45th Annual Christmas Tour of Lewes takes place on Saturday, December 1 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Also that day, Lewes in Bloom is hosting their 5th annual Christmas Market at St. Peter’s Church yard from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., selling live Christmas wreaths, bundled fresh greens, floral arrangements and Lewes in Bloom merchandise. Another event Saturday at St. Peter’s Church from 11 a.m-2 p.m. is the ECW Soup Luncheon in the Parish Hall, in conjunction with the Christmas Tour of Lewes.  Tour goers are also invited to visit the Zwaanendael Museum to see their holiday decorations and current exhibits. There are numerous other activities throughout the Lewes area associated with the holiday weekend celebrations. For a complete listing, visit the chamber’s website:  www.leweschamber.com and click on the calendar tab.  The chamber’s visitor center is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and will be open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 1.