Lewes celebrates historic First Friday
Time has a funny way of changing things.
Flashing back to April 7, 1813, cannonballs were almost assuredly spoken of in a negative manner. Jumping forward 210 years, not only has the tone shifted to the positive side, but the Lewes Historical Society even hosted a celebration centered around one particular cannonball.
Following the highly publicized return of the authentic-but-not-the-missle-that-actually-struck-the-house cannonball, the Lewes Historical Society teamed up with Dogfish Head’s Beer and Benevolence program to enhance the April First Friday plans with a celebration. The release of Ball’s Back Bock and sales of T-shirts depicting a Cape Gazette editorial cartoon were added to the First Friday offerings. Perhaps by no coincidence, the event lined up exactly 210 years after the British naval bombardment of Lewes.
Festivities kicked off at 4 p.m. with a large turnout, despite the cool weather and occasional drops of rain. Within an hour, the beer had been sold out. Seeming to live up to the hype, Mayor Andrew Williams asked Lewes Historical Society Executive Director Andrew Lyter if he could convince Dogfish Head founder Sam Calagione to brew another batch of the dark, rustic lager.
The LHS campus at 110 Shipcarpenter Square was abuzz with residents and visitors of all ages taking part in the fun. For those who weren’t lucky enough to score some brew, or for non-beer drinkers, the Sussex Tavern’s signature drinks, such as the bittered sling, appeared to be a big hit.
LHS volunteers, most dressed in historic attire, tended the grounds and kept the fires going for folks to warm up next to. Families toured the historic buildings while others shared a joke or two with their friends.
“This right here, to me, is Lewes. The small-town feel and everyone talking and getting to know one another,” said Councilman Tim Ritzert.
The next LHS First Friday will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Friday, May 5, at 110 Shipcarpenter Square. More information is available at historiclewes.org.
