Hundreds of revelers descended upon the beach just over the dune on New Orleans Street for the annual Dewey Business Partnership end-of-season party Sept. 18.
Residents and guests enjoyed music by the 19th Street Band, a crush bar, food and an evening bonfire, and purchased T-shirts and koozies marking the town’s 40th anniversary of incorporation. Children frolicked in the surf as it crashed over the berm onto the seating area.
Party-goers had another reason to celebrate: Dewey Beach Surf Shop owner Tyler Hudson, who was seriously injured in a June traffic accident, joined in the festivities. Town employees also surprised retiring Mayor Dale Cooke with a print of the Dewey Beach Lifesaving Station, where town meetings are held, by artist Rick Cross.
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![Volunteers Bobbie Redefer, left, and Karen McMahon accept donations for Dewey Business Partnership. ELLEN DRISCOLL PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/files/2021/09/field/image/DB 2.jpg)
![Assisting with the event are Commissioner Bill Stevens, left, and Commissioner Paul Bauer. ELLEN DRISCOLL PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/files/2021/09/field/image/DB 3.jpg)
![Party-goers celebrated the return of Dewey Beach Surf Shop owner Tyler Hudson, who was seriously injured in a June traffic accident. Gathered near the stage are (l-r) The Starboard owner and Dewey Business Partnership President Steve “Monty” Montgomery, Hudson’s girlfriend Maddie Kelly, Tyler Hudson, and Woody’s Dewey Beach Bar & Grill owner and Dewey Business Partnership Vice President Jimmy O’Conor. ELLEN DRISCOLL PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/files/2021/09/field/image/DB 13.jpg)
![Dewey Business Partnership Executive Director Kelly Ranieri takes a quick break to chat with Mayor Dale Cooke. ELLEN DRISCOLL PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/files/2021/09/field/image/DB 14.jpg)
![The Starboard owner and Dewey Business Partnership President Steve “Monty” Montgomery, center, enjoys a little downtime with off-duty Dewey Beach Police officers Lt. Billy Hocker, left and Sgt. Cliff Dempsey. ELLEN DRISCOLL PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/files/2021/09/field/image/DB 11.jpg)
![Woody’s Dewey Beach Bar & Grill owner and Dewey Business Partnership Vice President Jimmy O’Conor mans the grill with assistance from Donna Forster. ELLEN DRISCOLL PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/files/2021/09/field/image/DB 12.jpg)
![Town Manager Bill Zolper, with microphone, welcomes attendees while (l-r) Commissioner Bill Stevens and Commissioner Paul Bauer await the special presentation. ELLEN DRISCOLL PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/files/2021/09/field/image/DB 16.jpg)
![Commissioner Paul Bauer, right, thanks Mayor Dale Cooke for his many years of service to the town as (l-r) Town Manager Bill Zolper, Mayor Dale Cooke and Commissioner Bill Stevens listen. ELLEN DRISCOLL PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/files/2021/09/field/image/DB 17.jpg)
![Displaying the gift from town employees, Commissioner Bill Stevens, with microphone, addresses the crowd and (l-r) Town Manager Bill Zolper, Mayor Dale Cooke and Commissioner Paul Bauer. ELLEN DRISCOLL PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/files/2021/09/field/image/DB 18.jpg)
![“Dewey Beach is a helluva town,” Mayor Dale Cooke said to cheers from the crowd. ELLEN DRISCOLL PHOTO](/sites/capegazette/files/2021/09/field/image/DB 19.jpg)