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Parade brings Christmas spirit to Lewes

City lights tree that was planted in park
The Wagon Queen Family Truckster, from the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” movie drives through the parade with Clark at the wheel and Cousin Eddie walking along. The 1983 Ford wagon, owned by Mark Riley and Alicia Purdy, won first place in the recent vintage category. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
December 9, 2024

Matt and Jen Moyer of Pennsylvania came early to stake out a spot on Savannah Road to watch their first Lewes Christmas parade.

“It’s getting us more in the holiday spirit. Of course, we always want to see Santa Claus and hoping for some interesting floats,” Matt said.

The Moyers were part of the crowd at the annual Old-Fashioned Christmas parade Dec. 7, sponsored by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.

There were 100 entries in this year’s trek down Savannah Road from Lewes Elementary School to Second Street.

Sue Kraiza and Judy Bernat also came early to get a prime view of the action.

“I love the floats, the music, and I just love seeing the kids,” said Bernat, who said she has been a parade spectator for 10 years.

Betsy Reamer, Lewes Chamber of Commerce executive director, said she had never seen so many floats with snow.

The pretend snow made the parade route look like winter and sent kids into a frenzy trying to catch the fake flakes.

Reamer selected the Greater Lewes Foundation as the honorary grand marshals. GLF board members Hugh Leahy and Jim Ford represented the organization in a Jaguar convertible.

The parade judges were also from the GLF board: Chris Rausch, Cape Gazette publisher; Danielle Swallow, Delaware Sea Grant coastal hazard specialist; and Terri Malewski, GLF corporate secretary.

The full list of winners can be found at leweschamber.com.

 

The British Car Club of Delaware had its own mini-parade of classics.
Pairadice Equestrian trotted off with first place in the equestrian category.
The Lowered Habits Car Club drove away with first place for car club vehicles.
The Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club float makes the turn onto Second Street.
Kuhn’s Property Services understood the assignment to bring snow. Their truck, with the Grinch on top, was among the colorful entries in the Lewes Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade Dec. 7.
The Cape Henlopen High School Junior ROTC color guard was among the first to kick off the parade. They received honorable mention from the judges.
Kids love to try and catch fake snow from several floats along the parade route.
The Greater Lewes Foundation was named parade grand marshal. GLF board members Jim Ford, left, and Hugh Leahy represent the organization in a 1996 Jaguar owned by Betty Burleigh. The Jag won second place in the recent vintage category.
Following the parade, Lewes Mayor Andrew Williams flips the switch on the city’s Christmas tree in Zwaanendael Park. The tree was planted, not harvested, for the first time. It is expected to serve as the Christmas tree for years to come.
The New Hope Canoe Club was a double winner with their outrigger float. They won most original entry and best sound.
Matt and Jen Moyer of Pennsylvania arrived early to find a good spot on Savannah Road to watch their first Lewes Christmas parade.
The City of Lewes co-sponsored the parade with the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.
Sen. Russ Huxtable, left, walks with Lewes Mayor Andrew Williams and Councilperson Tim Ritzert near the start of the parade.
“Coolie” from Atlantic Refrigeration waves to the crowd from the float that won first place in the commercial category.
The Lewes Beach Patrol arrive by ATV.
The Grinch is relegated to the rumble seat of this Model A Ford from the Straight Eights Lambda Car Club. The organization took home second place for car club vehicles.
Girl Scout Troop 499 of Georgetown boasts a colorful float. They won second place for youth organization float.
Cub Scout Pack 1 of Lewes walks up Savannah Road. The judges award them third place for youth organization float.
Judy Bernat, left, and Sue Kraiza, both of Lewes, staked out a prime viewing spot at Third Street and Savannah Road.
Kayla Kosmalski, Miss Delaware Teen USA 2024, waves to the crowd.
The Lewes African American Heritage Commission promoted its annual Juneteenth Celebration, on the side of a classic Oldsmobile.
Girl Scout Troop 193 of Milton stops for a photo during the march down Savannah Road.
Cape Henlopen High School Best Buddies stop for a group photo. They won an honorable mention award from the judges.
The First Baptist Church of Lewes had a float representing the true meaning of Christmas. The float received an honorable mention award.
This year’s masters of ceremonies and parade judges were from the Greater Lewes Foundation. Shown are (l-r) Mike DiPaolo, Jim Smith, Chris Rausch, Danielle Swallow and Terri Malewski.
The Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation Institute won first place in the clowns category, for their float featuring whales.
Noah Calhoun of the Cape Henlopen High School Future Farmers of America carries a goat for people to pet. The FFA received an honorable mention award.
This group from Lewes Beach came uptown to get into the Christmas spirit.
Community Bank’s candy cart was popular with kids looking for treats.
The Little Creek Fire Company won first place in the fire company category for its truck that was decked out for the holidays.
These folks enjoy some warm beverages before the parade turns onto Second Street.
A Lewes fire truck was Santa’s sleigh for the journey from the North Pole to downtown Lewes.
The Lewes Fire Company’s little truck delivers an important message: Smoke detectors save lives.
The first place band award went to the Cape Henlopen High School marching band.
The Cape Henlopen High School marching band performs “Holiday Road” as they make the turn onto Second Street.
Humane Animal Partners walks some of the dogs that are up for adoption. The organization won an honorable mention award from the judges.
The Grinch may have stolen Christmas, but he’s always popular in the parade.
Santa had the best seat in the house for a view of the parade on Second Street.
Lewes in Bloom had a large contingent of volunteers. They won third place for community organization float.
Lewes in Bloom founder Warren Golde gets a special ride in the group’s little red wagon.
Sue Greco and Lora Lowery, both from Lewes, are among the carolers in Zwaanendael Park.
The city’s Christmas tree was the centerpiece for an evening of caroling in Zwaanendael Park.

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Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.

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