![Georgetown Town Crier Kirk Lawson reads election results from the Sussex County Courthouse. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/web-return-day-town-crier.jpg?itok=gYPZzAzN)
Georgetown Town Crier Kirk Lawson reads election results from the Sussex County Courthouse. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Sussex County party leaders gather to bury the hatchet to end the 2016 campaign. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9398.jpg?itok=FSAqMCRZ)
Sussex County party leaders gather to bury the hatchet to end the 2016 campaign. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Rosalie Walls, who served as president of the Return Day Committee for 26 years, is the 2016 parade grand marshal. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9232.jpg?itok=mG68oF5T)
Rosalie Walls, who served as president of the Return Day Committee for 26 years, is the 2016 parade grand marshal. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Democrat House Speaker 14th District Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf smiles and waves to the crowd. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/_DSC0981.jpg?itok=ysoKeLk0)
Democrat House Speaker 14th District Rep. Pete Schwartzkopf smiles and waves to the crowd. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![As other mayors and spectators look on, Ocean View Mayor Walt Curan throws the winning hatchet toss. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_8795.jpg?itok=FG5TuFsh)
As other mayors and spectators look on, Ocean View Mayor Walt Curan throws the winning hatchet toss. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![District 3 Sussex County Councilman-Elect I.G. Burton and his wife, Jullie, wave to the crowd. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9181.jpg?itok=dMqM7xKm)
District 3 Sussex County Councilman-Elect I.G. Burton and his wife, Jullie, wave to the crowd. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Republican Rep. Steve Smyk, who recaptured his 20th District seat, recognizes a face in the large Return Day parade crowd. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/_DSC0983.jpg?itok=t0rIjDZv)
Republican Rep. Steve Smyk, who recaptured his 20th District seat, recognizes a face in the large Return Day parade crowd. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Newly elected Democrats, Bethany Hall-Long, lieutenant governor, left, and Lisa Blunt Rochester, U.S. Congress, share the Return Day stage. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9354.jpg?itok=VnYk6YXU)
Newly elected Democrats, Bethany Hall-Long, lieutenant governor, left, and Lisa Blunt Rochester, U.S. Congress, share the Return Day stage. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Former Delaware congressman and governor Mike Castle, left, walks along the parade route with Sen. Tom Carper. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9210.jpg?itok=j5hUzvpZ)
Former Delaware congressman and governor Mike Castle, left, walks along the parade route with Sen. Tom Carper. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Democrat Governor-Elect John Carney gives a thumbs up to the large Return Day crowd. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9324.jpg?itok=H7dnmRyg)
Democrat Governor-Elect John Carney gives a thumbs up to the large Return Day crowd. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Ballerina Meoghan Swain, a member of Sussex Dance Academy, dances a solo selection. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/_DSC0920.jpg?itok=s0vwe66Z)
Ballerina Meoghan Swain, a member of Sussex Dance Academy, dances a solo selection. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Carla Walls, granddaughter of former Return Day Committee President Rosalie Walls, is the event’s ambassador. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_8813.jpg?itok=zJkenNOY)
Carla Walls, granddaughter of former Return Day Committee President Rosalie Walls, is the event’s ambassador. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Herman Jackson, left, and Mike Harmon of the Nanticoke tribe dance a traditional men’s dance on the Return Day stage. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9077.jpg?itok=KN1RXJbY)
Herman Jackson, left, and Mike Harmon of the Nanticoke tribe dance a traditional men’s dance on the Return Day stage. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Members of the Nanticoke tribe gather Return Day attendees to join them in dance on The Circle. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9110.jpg?itok=uyc92mM6)
Members of the Nanticoke tribe gather Return Day attendees to join them in dance on The Circle. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![President-Elect Donald Trump committee members hand out signs along the parade route. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9116.jpg?itok=82K89gfU)
President-Elect Donald Trump committee members hand out signs along the parade route. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Megan Sterling of Millsboro lets her political persuasion known as she waits for the parade to start. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9126.jpg?itok=l4YTz4AH)
Megan Sterling of Millsboro lets her political persuasion known as she waits for the parade to start. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Jim Bowden, vice president of the Return Day Committee, has antique handcuffs ready for people who call the event “Returns Day.” RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9131.jpg?itok=INkPBn8I)
Jim Bowden, vice president of the Return Day Committee, has antique handcuffs ready for people who call the event “Returns Day.” RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Sussex County Sheriff Bob Lee rides in a miniature stagecoach, one of the most unique vehicles in the parade. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9187.jpg?itok=lQ76KRga)
Sussex County Sheriff Bob Lee rides in a miniature stagecoach, one of the most unique vehicles in the parade. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Students carry a large U.S. flag amid cheers from a large crowd around The Circle. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9285.jpg?itok=KTJoy03h)
Students carry a large U.S. flag amid cheers from a large crowd around The Circle. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Republican 41st District Rep. Rich Collins, left, and challenger Brad Connor ride together in a carriage. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9167.jpg?itok=04Xkrvk6)
Republican 41st District Rep. Rich Collins, left, and challenger Brad Connor ride together in a carriage. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Grace Otley, Delaware’s Distinguished Young Woman, delights the crowd with her rendition of “Wagon Wheel.” RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/_DSC0900.jpg?itok=tbORTnI7)
Grace Otley, Delaware’s Distinguished Young Woman, delights the crowd with her rendition of “Wagon Wheel.” RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Jenna Anger, a dancer with Sussex Dance Academy, performs a tap routine on The Circle. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_8848.jpg?itok=vQ3Y5Jl-)
Jenna Anger, a dancer with Sussex Dance Academy, performs a tap routine on The Circle. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![With the Sussex County Courthouse in the background, Sussex Dance Academy dancers perform. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_8908.jpg?itok=F74x3WTc)
With the Sussex County Courthouse in the background, Sussex Dance Academy dancers perform. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Miss Delaware Amanda Debus, who lives in Middletown and is a senior at the University of Delaware, is enjoying the parade. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9255.jpg?itok=_fSpjZeC)
Miss Delaware Amanda Debus, who lives in Middletown and is a senior at the University of Delaware, is enjoying the parade. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Little Miss Apple Scrapple Juliette Anger of Bridgeville, left, and Leah Marvel of Ellendale recite The Pledge of Allegiance. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/_DSC0893.jpg?itok=ZR48-Bd8)
Little Miss Apple Scrapple Juliette Anger of Bridgeville, left, and Leah Marvel of Ellendale recite The Pledge of Allegiance. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![Nanticoke Chief Natasha Norwood Carmine, left, stands with dancers Boe Harris and Cheyenne Wright. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/_DSC0956.jpg?itok=34iZ30RD)
Nanticoke Chief Natasha Norwood Carmine, left, stands with dancers Boe Harris and Cheyenne Wright. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
![This is the first Return Day Debbie Jones has served as president of the committee. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/local/styles/gallery_large/public/2016/11/field/gallery_large/DSC_9245.jpg?itok=LRAf2LtZ)
This is the first Return Day Debbie Jones has served as president of the committee. RON MACARTHUR PHOTO
The Sussex County chairpeople bury the hatchet in sand that’s been brought from Lewes, because that was the first county seat, said Rosalie Walls, former Queen of Return Day. “That’s supposed to get rid of all the bad things they’ve said about each other. Whether it happens or not, I’m not sure.”
Watch the rest of her interview on our Behind The Scenes: Return Day video.
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