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Lewes celebrates Fourth with boat parade, fireworks

Boats of all kinds showed stars and stripes on the Fourth of July
Capt. Matt Mundok and his crew from Tidewater Adventures are playing catch-up. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
July 4, 2024

The annual Independence Day Lewes Boat Parade filled the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal with red, white and blue crafts of all kinds.

The Lewes Fire Department’s rescue boat led the parade and provided a welcome spray from its hoses for people sitting on the banks.

About 30 boats made their way from Roosevelt Inlet down to the judge’s stand on the dock in front of the Wheelhouse.

There were pontoon boats, fishing boats and rowboats, all decked out for holiday festivities on the water.

The boats were judged on the best use of patriotic decorations.

First place was awarded to the Sea Sisters and Capt. Lee Ann Augustine.

Second place went to the Lewes Historical Society’s whaleboat Albatross, which was crewed by the organization’s volunteers and staff.

Third place was awarded to Community Bank’s pontoon boat, Busy.

The parade was organized by the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club and sponsored by the Freedom Boat Club.

After the excitement of the boat parade and the Doo Dah Parade, folks filed into Canalfront Park, onto Lewes Beach and set up chairs anywhere with a clear view of the bay to watch a lengthy fireworks display. 

The Go Fourth Lewes fireworks reflected in the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal as seen from Canalfront Park.
A crowded canal teems with patriotic-themed boats during the annual July Fourth Lewes Boat Parade. This year, about 30 boats participated, decked out for the holiday cruise.
The Sea Sisters came to win – and they succeeded. Capt. Lee Ann Augustine’s crew sailed away with first prize for most patriotic boat.
Bill Hicks was at the helm of the whaleboat Albatross from the Lewes Historical Society. They rowed their way to the second-place award.
The Freedom Boat Club was one of the sponsors of the annual Lewes Boat Parade. One of its boats was first in the lineup.
The Lewes Fire Department’s rescue boat leads the way for the annual July 4 boat parade down the canal.
The Lewes fire boat provides a welcome shower to people sitting in the hot sun.
Community Bank’s boat, Busy, cruised to third place thanks to its patriotic display.
The Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club is well represented by Capt. Bill Huntley and his crew on boat No. 2.
The steamboat Phoenix is a crowd favorite every year.
Capt. Jim Weber has a skeleton crew on boat No. 33.
The Carpe Diem looking good.
The pilot boat Lewes and Capt. Michael Ackerman put on a show for the crowd.
The Ganso and the Impulsivity make their way down the canal.
A little Uncle Sam mans the bow of the Impulsivity.
The Second Time Around makes its first pass near the judges in front of the Wheelhouse.
The Salty Girl cruises past the judges.
The crew onboard the Baby Bo-at shows the flag.
The outriggers Ho’omanawanui (foreground) and Ho’ okupa’a row past the judges.
The Sons of the American Legion Squadron 17 from Lewes wave to spectators.
Uncle Sam keeps the Sea Sisters company on their patriotic canal cruise.
Capt. Dirk Moore joins the parade on his workboat Lo-Lo.
Capt. Matt Mundok has a holiday picnic theme on his pontoon boat.
Jack Riddle, Community Bank president, standing, donned the stars and stripes for the parade.
This crew makes up for their small boat with big flags.
Party time on a Margaritaville-themed boat.
There were great photo ops for spectators on both sides of the canal.
An old sailing vessel joins the lineup courtesy of the Lewes Historical Society.
Nate Landis’ boat was an unofficial entry in the parade, but provided a great seat for the passengers.
Gotta Go makes its the way down the canal.
One of best seats in the house was on the SV Meridian at the city dock.
The Sea Jay with Capt. Frank Miller at the wheel.
Lee Ann Augustine, left, accepts the first-place award for her Sea Sisters crew from Chuck Ward, center, Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club past president, and Katie Millard, Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club president.
The Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club presents a check for $900 to the Overfalls Foundation after the boat parade. Shown are (l-r) Chuck Ward, Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club past president; Dave Beck, Overfalls Foundation board of directors vice president; Katie Millard, Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club president; and Andrew Williams, Lewes mayor.

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