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Bethany Beach mourns the passing of another summer

Annual Jazz Funeral on the boardwalk closes the book on ’22 season
Jazz Funeral co-chairs Angel Carolyn Bacon and Sister Marie Wright along with the Jazz Funeral procession marchers get ready to begin their journey down the Bethany Beach boardwalk. AARON MUSHRUSH PHOTOS
Aaron R. Mushrush
September 9, 2022

The Bethany Beach boardwalk was packed the evening of Sept. 5 with more than 1,800 people.

The reason? A funeral.

However, this was not a funeral for a person. No, this was a funeral for the summer of 2022.

The annual event, back after a one-year absence, is a whimsical way residents and visitors close the book on another summer season. Celebrating its 35th year, the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral was started by former town council member Moss Wagner as a way for local business owners to celebrate the end of the traditional summer season on Labor Day. 

Sticking with the New Orleans tradition of jazz funerals, the Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral features a band and is incredibly celebratory in nature. Attendees dress in funeral attire, costumes and other death- or Mardi Gras-related outfits and playfully mourn the passing of the summer season. The procession started on the north end of the boardwalk and slowly, as per tradition, made its way to the Bethany Beach Bandstand after about a half-hour. 

Lifeguards came off the stands for their final shift, and were greeted by applause and cheers from the crowd.

Settling in front of the Bethany Beach Bandstand, the casket for Summer ’22 was put on display for all to see, one last time. The Jazz Funeral band continued playing behind the “deceased” as mourners coped with the loss by dancing.

Following a few kind words by the likes of organizer Paul Jankovic and co-chair Sister Marie Wright, the casket was carried off to its final resting place.

For more information, go to jazz-funeral.com.

 

Attendees to the funeral, dressed in black, couldn’t hold back their emotions when the casket made its initial turn. The tears streamed and the makeup ran.
A staple of the Jazz Funeral is the jazz band. This talented group kept the tunes going up and down the boards and put on quite the show when they got to the Bethany Beach Bandstand.
The procession began on the north end of the Bethany Beach boardwalk.
Here lies Summer ’22. Early rains threatened the beaches and a late drought dehydrated the crops, but people thought there was enough good overall to bid farewell.
Bethany Beach Beach Patrol lifeguards receive thunderous applause as they walk off the beach for their final shifts of summer.
The Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral is a fun, spontaneous event, according to one of the organizers Paul Jankovic. Nothing to feel crabby about.
Time marches on.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile that it happened.” - Dr. Seuss, supposedly.
“I fear you more than any spectre I have seen. But as I know your purpose is to do me good, and as I hope to live to be another man from what I was, I am prepared to bear your company, and do it with a thankful heart. Will you not speak to me?"- Ebenezer Scrooge in A Christmas Carol. The reaper said nothing as it guided the casket of Summer ‘22 to the bandstand.
The procession of mourners followed the casket and band along the Bethany Beach boardwalk. The bayou taste in fashion is because jazz funerals stem from a tradition in New Orleans.
While not officially recognized as a stage of grief, dancing and playing the kazoo brought great comfort to some of those in grief.
Jazz Funeral Co-Chair Angel Carolyn Bacon carries the tombstone of the Summer ‘22, which came into this world, unofficially, May 30 and crossed the river Styx, unofficially, Sept. 5.
The Grim Reaper dutifully stuck its task and guarded the casket of Summer ‘22.
The mystery guests strutted their best stuff for the mourning masses as the crowd celebrated the memories of a summer that is now vanquished like sand through an hourglass.
Band leader John Strawley belts out “Hello, Dolly” and a few other tunes during the viewing/memorial service portion of the funeral.
Jazz Funeral Co-Chair Angel Carolyn Bacon, super soul Marilyn Panagopoulos, and Sister Marie Wright dance to the music created by drummer Ron Lewis, band leader John Strawley and the rest of the jazz funeral band.
Sister Marie Wright made her triumphant return for the 2022 Bethany Beach Jazz Funeral and was a big hit among the crowd.
Bethany Beach Mayor Rosemary Hardiman talked about the brutal May storm, the work that was done to ensure a successful summer, the memories of the year, and the shoulder season that has kept some folks around a little longer these days.
The Bethany Beach boardwalk was packed with residents and visitors who wanted to pay tribute to the Summer ‘22 and participate in the whimsical and legendary Jazz Funeral.

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