The 25th annual Boast the Coast event will take place on Saturday, October 2, 2021 – one year later than its actual anniversary due to Covid-19-imposed event cancellations in 2020. Boast the Coast was conceived in 1996 to showcase Lewes’ nautical heritage and to feature activities that complemented the already long-established University of Delaware’s annual “Coast Day” event. Coast Day takes place the first Sunday in October with Boast the Coast always on the day before. This year’s Boast the Coast activities are sponsored by Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant and Beebe Healthcare with partial funding from Southern Delaware Tourism.
There are a number of free activities associated with Boast the Coast taking place in 1812 Park adjacent to the City Dock on the canal from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The children’s activities include free nautically-themed face painting and balloon art by Chuckles the Clown. Freedom Boat Club will offer free boat tours leaving from City Dock, also from 11a.m. – 2 p.m. The are no advance reservations for these short excursions on the canal. It will be on a first-come, first-served basis with 6-8 passengers per trip. During those same times, visitors to the park and dock will be entertained by Lewes vocalist Jgar Helwig, who will be performing his repertoire of Broadway show tunes and other popular favorites.
Other activities simultaneously taking place at the dock and in the park include a Seafood Tasting with food priced individually by Lewes restaurant, Full Belly Bistro. Cape Water Tours is offering two, hour-long narrated tours departing from City Dock at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The tour, entitled “Floating Through Lewes Maritime History,” is narrated by local Lewes Historian Mike DiPaolo. The cost is $18/adults and $12 children under 12. Reservations are available to purchase online at www.CapeWaterTours.com.
The annual Lewes Merchants’ Fall Sidewalk Sale has long been associated with Boast the Coast. It is a three-day event, wrapped around Saturday’s Boast the Coast events, beginning on Friday, October 1 through Sunday, October 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The majority of the retail businesses in the Historic Lewes Business District participate in this annual event.
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.
