Lewes Tulip Celebration to bring spring cheer April 2-11

In partnership with Lewes in Bloom, the Lewes Chamber of Commerce will present the 12th annual Lewes Tulip Celebration from Friday, April 2 to Sunday, April 11.

The broad-based chamber committee, chaired by event founder Mayor Ted Becker, includes Lewes in Bloom co-chairs and founder, along with representatives from City of Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission and the Zwaanendael Museum. This year, Lewes in Bloom funded the purchase of 24,210 tulip and 4,000 other spring bulbs that were planted in fall 2020 by 50 of its members over a period of 400 volunteer hours.

The event plan was approved by Delaware Division of Public Health and follows the governor’s latest emergency order dated Feb. 19. Safety measures include mandatory face coverings and social distancing when visiting the public gardens where tulips are planted. Tiptoe To The Tulips Trolley Tours will not be available this year.

The timing of the tulips’ appearance is an inexact science, and milder or colder weather swings can mean the celebration may not exactly coincide with the tulips blooming. The event dates span two weekends. Tulip planting locations will be identified on the Tiptoe To The Tulips Map, with more than 100 varieties on display. The map will be available in mid-March at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in the historic Fisher-Martin House in Zwaanendael Park. The visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, April 3 and 10. The map also has a schedule of activities associated with the tulip celebration.

Lewes in Bloom will be selling tulips in front of Citizens Bank on Second Street from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday, April 2 and 3. For photo selfies, an Instagram photo spot will be set up in nearby Mary Vessels Park.

The Lewes Historical Society and Lewes in Bloom are partnering to offer three, 60-minute History in Bloom walking tours at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2 p.m., Saturday, April 3. Tours begin at the garden behind the Cannonball House at 118 Front St.; tour cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. To purchase tickets, go to historiclewes.org and click the Visit tab.

Tulip arrangements by the Sussex Gardeners will be on display in the Zwaanendael Museum. The museum is open for self-guided tours by advance reservation only at 10 and 11:15 a.m., and 1:15 and 2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. To reserve a time, call 302-645-1148. Your Dutch Faces Here cutouts will be outside the museum for photo selfies from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., April 2, 3, 9 and 10, depending on weather.

Cape Artists Gallery and Peninsula Gallery both will have exhibitions taking place during the tulip celebration.

The Cape Artists will host an open house with light refreshments featuring Welcome Spring artwork from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 3, at their gallery at 110 West Third St. 

The Peninsula Gallery’s Local Favorites art exhibition will be on display Saturday, April 3 to Sunday, April 25, at 520 East Savannah Road. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Sunday.

Two florist shops in Lewes are participating in the celebration. Floral Inspirations, located on the beach side of the canal at 524 E. Savannah Road in the shops under the Beacon Motel, will have flower-arranging demonstrations from noon to 3 p.m., April 2, 3, 9 and 10. A wide variety of colorful spring tulips will be on hand for purchase as well. Owner/designer Ken Norman encourages people to stop in just for the smell of it.

Owner/designer Mayumi Williamson of Flowers by Mayumi in the historic business district at 128 Second St., will host a drop-in floral-arranging demonstration from 1 to 2 p.m., Thursday, April 8.

Lewes Historical Society will offer a Maritime History walking tour at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 10, beginning at the Ryves Holt House, 218 Second St. An Architectural History walking tour will be held at 4 p.m., Sunday, April 11. Tours cost $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Purchase tickets for either tour at historiclewes.org under the Visit tab.

GFWC Zwaanendael Women’s Club is taking geranium orders through  Thursday, April 15, to benefit its community service programs. Pickup will be Saturday, May 1, at Lewes in Bloom’s warehouse, 217 Schley Ave., Lewes. Cost is $6 per 6-inch pot of pink, white, red or salmon blooms. To order, email mRocksRN@comcast.net or mail checks payable to Z Club, P.O. Box 100, Lewes, DE 19958.