Lewes Christmas Parade to honor Cape Henlopen School District Dec. 3

Tom King, chairman of the Lewes Christmas Parade, jointly presented by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, has announced that this year’s 85th Annual Christmas Parade will honor the Cape Henlopen School District and its eight public schools. A number of people associated with the school district will serve as the honorary grand marshals and will be representing all the students, teachers, staff and school board.

They are Superintendent Bob Fulton, School Board President Andy Lewis and three principals from the district’s eight schools: Brian Donahue from Cape Henlopen High School, Jennifer Nauman from Richard A. Shields Elementary School and Vivian Bush from Sussex Consortium. There will be others representing the school district riding in the parade in the Cape May-Lewes Ferry Trolley, following the vehicle carrying the honorary grand marshals.

Trolley passengers include school board members, the principals from the other five district schools, Teachers of the Year from all district schools and two students selected from each school. The other schools in the Cape Henlopen School District are Beacon Middle, H. O. Brittingham Elementary, Milton Elementary, Mariner Middle, Milton Elementary and Rehoboth Elementary.

The parade is set for 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 3. (If inclement weather causes rescheduling, the new date will be Saturday, Dec. 10, at the same time). The suggested theme for the parade is Students and Teachers Enjoying Winter. Organizations and individuals who want to enter the parade in a decorated vehicle or in a marching group should contact the Lewes Chamber of Commerce to receive an entry form. The deadline for entry is Friday, Nov.  18.

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Youth Marching Group, Band, Clown, Equestrian, Decorated Classic Car (vintage 1967 or older), Decorated Vehicle (after 1967 or more recent), Fire Company, Commercial Float, Decorated Punkin’ Chunkin’ Vehicle, Community Organization Float and Youth Organization Float. All entries must be decorated. Entrants will be notified in a mailing Wednesday, Nov. 23, with their entry number and their parade lineup time. Lining up takes place from 3:30-4:15 p.m. and the parade begins on Savannah Road at Sussex Drive and will end in front of King’s Ice Cream Shop on Second Street. Entrants for Saturday’s parade are asked to commit to the inclement weather date Dec. 10, if it is necessary.

Dennis Forney, publisher of the Cape Gazette, returns as parade announcer and will introduce the entries from the judges’ reviewing stand in Zwaanendael Park to the crowd gathered on Savannah Road. This year’s judges are three retired Cape Henlopen School District teachers. The mayor and Lewes City Council members will lead the parade followed by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors, riding in an antique farm truck. After the parade, the Christmas tree in Zwaanendael Park will be illuminated followed by candlelight caroling in the park, led by Christy Taylor with sound by Bill Larsen.

For more information and to register, go to www.leweschamber.com or call 302-645-8073.