Great time to tiptoe through the tulips

"It's all about the weather," said Betsy Reamer, executive director of the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. And the weather was perfect April 12-15 for the third annual Lewes Tulip Festival. Because of a warm spring, thousands of tulips in Lewes bloomed early this year. "There were no expectations there would be any blooms left, and we were honest with people then they called us," Reamer said. "But did we get lucky. The last two weeks we had some cool ocean and bay breezes. There was not one complaint."

The annual event is cosponsored by the Lewes Historical Society, which added a first to the festival. Restoration Destination Delmarva's Preservation & Homebuilders Expo offered festival-goers a chance to speak with builders, contractors and artisans, many of whom specialize in restoration projects.

"Thousands of people were in town for the event; there is no way to get an accurate account," Reamer said. More than 700 people toured the Zwaanendael Museum, the location where most of the events took place.

The festival included tours, demonstrations, games, a photography contest, plant sales and the annual Lewes Preservation Awards presented April 12 at the Lewes Yacht Club.