Lewes British Motorcar Show rolls in May 6
The Lewes British Motorcar Show, The British are Coming ... Again, will welcome a wide array of classic British vehicles to Lewes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 6, at the Lewes ferry terminal, 43 Cape Henlopen Drive. No spectator entry is allowed after 2 p.m. There is no rain date.
Show co-sponsors are the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the British Car Club of Delaware. The show is supported by Southern Delaware Tourism.
Some 28 years ago, car show Chair Mike Tyler and the British Car Club of Delaware originated the concept of staging a British motorcar show in the spring to attract visitors to Lewes before the summer season goes into full swing. “This year’s show will be celebrating MG’s 100th anniversary,” said Tyler.
The 2023 show will include a new class of vehicles – future classics. In past years, only British-made vehicles produced from model year 2000 and older were eligible to enter the show. Future classics comprise model years 2001 to the present. Due to space limitations at the venue, only the first 100 of the model year 2000 and older vehicles to register, and the first 20 modern classics to register are accepted. Registrations opened in February and reached capacity in 19 days. There is a waiting list for vehicle registrations.
“The popularity of this show has continued to grow over the years, and the show’s venue at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal in Lewes allows for staging 120 vehicles with the backdrop of the beautiful Delaware Bay,” said Betsy Reamer, Lewes chamber executive director. Amenities at the terminal include food and beverage service at the Lewes Coffee Company and Grain on the Rocks, along with public restrooms.
One of the many attractions to attending this show, for both car entrants and spectators, is its proximity to the historic business district, offering shopping options including spring sidewalk sale bargains, along with museums and restaurants.
Judges will select the winners in each of 12 classes. There will be first-place awards in all 12 classes, with second- and third-place awards in 10 of them plus Best in Show.
The judges are Lewes Chamber of Commerce Board President Nikky Fisher, Lewes Mayor Andrew Williams, WRDE News Anchor Madeleine Overturf, and British Car Club of Delaware members Charlie O’Donnell and Dana Mason, who will coordinate the judging.
The show concludes at 3 p.m. with the winners’ circle parade from the ferry terminal across the drawbridge and down Second Street. The cars will stop at Bank Street Plaza where winners will be announced and receive their awards.
Show admission is $5 for adults; children under age 12 are admitted free. For more information, call the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 302-645-8073.
The Spring Merchants’ Sidewalk Sale in the Historic Lewes commercial district is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday to Sunday, May 5 to 7.
Other events sponsored by Lewes Chamber members taking place that day include the Historic Lewes Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at George H.P. Smith Park, Cape Artists’ Gallery sidewalk art exhibit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Peninsula Gallery’s opening reception for its Whimsical Landscapes art exhibition from 5 to 6:30 p.m.
For more information, go to LewesChamber.com.
