84th Annual Lewes Christmas Parade set Dec. 5
Tom King, chairman of the Lewes Christmas Parade, jointly presented by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, has announced this year’s honorary grand marshals for the 84th Annual Christmas Parade. They are Jeffrey Fried, Beebe Healthcare president and CEO, and Anna Beebe Moore, representing the Beebe family, celebrating Beebe’s 100th anniversary. This year’s parade theme is Christmas in Bloom in Lewes.
The parade will take place at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5, with a rain/snow date set for the same time Saturday, Dec. 12, at the same time. 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 at 302-645-8073 to receive an entry form.
The deadline for entry is Friday, Nov. 20.
Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Youth Marching Group, Band, Clown, Equestrian, Antique Car (vintage 1967 or older), Decorated Vehicle (after 1967), Fire Company, Commercial Float, Punkin Chunkin Vehicle, Community Organization Float and Youth Organization Float. Entrants will be notified in a mailing Tuesday, Nov. 24 with their entry number and their parade lineup time.
The parade lineup takes place from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The parade will begin on Savannah Road at Sussex Drive and will end in front of King’s Ice Cream Shop on Second Street. Entrants for the parade are asked to commit to the rain/snow date the following Saturday, if it is necessary.
Dennis Forney, publisher of the Cape Gazette, returns as the parade announcer and will introduce the entries from the judges’ reviewing stand in Zwaanendael Park to the crowds gathered on Savannah Road. The Mayor and City Council will lead the parade followed by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, riding in an antique farm truck decorated with poinsettias, holly and mistletoe.
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.
The Christmas Parade is the culmination of a number of special events and activities associated with celebration of Christmas weekend in historic Lewes.
The festivities kick off Thursday, Dec. 3, with two hospitality events: Beebe Auxiliary’s Gift Shop in the hospital is hosting a Hospitality Night from 4 to 7 p.m., and the Lewes Merchants’ 29th annual Hospitality Night takes place from 5 to 8 p.m. in the historic commercial district surrounding Second Street, including the Zwaanendael Museum with extended hours.
Second Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday night. Santa will make a brief visit to his Lewes house in front of Citizens Bank that evening in advance of his arrival at the Lewes Christmas Parade Saturday night.
Each child who visits Santa that night will receive a special gift: "The Night Before Christmas," an original reproduction of the 1896 book - compliments of The Cottage, a vintage gift boutique on Second Street across from Citizens Bank. Beebe’s Auxiliary is hosting a holiday craft show in the east lobby of the hospital’s main campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4.
The Children’s Beach House will host its annual art exhibit and sale benefit preview party from 6:30 to 10 p.m., Friday, Dec. 4, with the sale continuing Saturday and Sunday.
The Lewes Historical Society’s 42nd Annual Christmas Tour of Lewes takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5. Lewes in Bloom is hosting its second annual Christmas Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at St. Peter’s Church yard, selling fresh greens, pine cone trees, swags, roping, holiday bows and other handmade items.
Also taking place at St. Peter’s Church that day from 11 a.m to 2 p.m. is the ECW soup luncheon in the parish hall, in conjunction with the Christmas Tour of Lewes.
There are numerous other activities throughout the Lewes area associated with the holiday weekend celebrations. For a complete listing, go to www.leweschamber.com and click on the calendar tab. The chamber’s visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday and will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 5.
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