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Let’s Doo-Dah in Lewes on the Fourth
Annual Independence Day hometown parade is among the largest ever
As she has done for years, Diane Hoenen leads the annual Doo-Dah Parade waving a large U.S. flag. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
July 5, 2023
The Doo-Dah Parade on the Fourth of July is a Lewes tradition like no other. With its roots dating back to 1968, neighborhood friends Carolyn Shockley and Phyllis Hoenen came up with the idea to get family and friends to dress in red, white and blue and march in the streets of Lewes as a fun way to celebrate Independence Day.
The Shockley and Hoenen families still play a key role in coordinating and participating in the parade.
There is no registration and nobody ever knows how many people will show up at the Manila Street staging area. This year, that staging area stretched far down Savannah Road, as one of the largest parades in recent memory.
Attracting large crowds along Kings Highway and Savannah Road, many people use the event as part of their annual Fourth of July party activities.
Lady Liberty Julie Sing rides in style as she proclaims freedom on the Fourth.
Viktoriya Hoenen with baby Ariya, who took part in the parade even before she was born when her mother marched in the 2022 event.
Jrake Hoenen is loaded with candy as he steers a decked out mini 4x4 along the parade route.
Ashely Hoenen Tanis, left, and Viktoriya Hoenen carry a banner in memory of the founders of the Doo-Dah Parade, Phyllis Hoenen and Carolyn Shockley. Both families help to coordinate the parade.
A lot of U.S. flags fly in the breeze on vehicles of many types taking part in the patriotic Doo-Dah Parade.
Tom Hartley says he has no brakes but he has great balance as he pedals a high-wheel bike.
Kevin Kelly carries on the tradition of pedal high-wheel bikes in the Doo-Dah Parade.
Quinn Steiner, decked out in red, white and blue, is ready to pedal in the annual parade.
Diane Hoenen leads the Lewes Doo-Dah Parade on Kings Highway. The event dates back to 1968, and thanks to the efforts of the Hoenen and Shockley families, the tradition continues.
Dressed in red, white and blue, these guys have hung around just a little too long as they wait for the parade to start on July 4.
Aspen Tanis, a member of the Hoenen family, takes her place on the family pickup at the head of the Doo-Dah Parade.
Jim Cully of Lewes and his family always have a unique showing in each year’s parade.
How many young girls can you stuff in a mini Chevrolet car? How about four, as they have fun taking part in the parade.
This collection of parade participants urges people to join their cause and eat more candy to save the carrots.
The Doo-Dah Parade stretches down Savannah Road. The 2023 parade was one of the largest in its more than 50-year history.
The Lewes Base Ball Club braves the heat as members march along Savannah Road. The team has a busy away schedule in July and August leading up to Baseball at the Beach festival Aug. 26.
Summer Cole of Lewes, dressed in a USA uniform, walks on stilts the entire parade route.
Mike and Ed Shockey, front, are joined by family and friends as they entertain parade watchers. Carolyn Shockley was one of the founders of the Doo-Dah Parade more than 50 years ago.
Lewes Fire Department member Collin Nauman keeps the mini hook-and-ladder truck on a true course along Savannah Road.
It wouldn’t be a Lewes parade without one of Dickie Bryan’s vintage tractors.
Vintage fire trucks and an assortment of cars take part in the annual parade.
Susan Morissette of Lewes helps celebrate Independence Day by taking part in the Doo-Dah Parade.
Quinn Stoops has a sweet ride in a Model-A Ford.
It’s a first. A large replica Statue of Liberty is anchored on a pickup.
The local Col. David Hall Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution marches in the parade.
Yes, they are happy pirates as they wave to the photographer.
There’s one in every crowd. Although he’s part of the Happy Pirates of Pilottown group, this pirate looks like he’s ready to blunder.
Richard Gott of Lewes has a secret formula for his liquid soap to help him make extra large bubbles.
