December 31st, 2012
People around the world will welcome the New Year with noisemakers, kissing and screams….and grapes too!!
All of the following towns are in the Delmarva Peninsula. Some of them have been ringing the New Year in unique ways. Check them out.
Chincoteague Island, Virginia – It is the only resort island in Virginia. Tonight they celebrate with a Pony Island Horseshoe Drop and Costume Parade. This year’s theme is Cowboys & Aliens.
Plenty of costumes and a lighted horseshoe. It is not Swarovski Crystal; they say it does sparkle quite a bit.
On New Year’s Day, take The Polar Pony Plunge in the Atlantic Ocean for a cause. More info? Check http://www.chincoteaguechristmas.com.
Princess Anne, Maryland – The Midnight Muskrat Dive will take place at Midnight. This rodent has provided a living for trappers since settlers arrived in Somerset County. Somerset County is the southernmost county of Maryland on the Eastern Shore. Marshall P. Muskrat, a stuffed muskrat sporting a black top hat and bow tie is the Master of Ceremonies for this event. More info. and photo? Check http://www.marylandlife.com/blogs/around-maryland/midnight-muskrat-dive
Berlin, Maryland – Only 10 miles west from Ocean City, Maryland, Berlin is a historic and quaint town. Full of shops, restaurants and cafes. The Atlantic Hotel is the center of the town.
On New Year’s Eve a handmade ball, covered in holiday lights will be lowered from the rooftop of the apartment building, above Towne Center Antiques.
It is a free event, but there will be food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) available for purchase. The event will be taking place from 8 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.
Note: Horse and carriage rides will be available for a tour of holiday decorations.
Ocean City, Maryland – As part of their Winterfest celebration, Ocean City will ring their New Year with a fireworks display at Northside Park, located at125 St. & Bay, at midnight.
Winterfest will stay open extended hours tonight.
On Tuesday, January 1st the 19th Annual Penguin Swim 2013 will be taking place at the Princess Royale Hotel, located at 91st St. & the Ocean in Ocean City, MD. This is a benefit for Atlantic General Hospital. Register at 11:30 a.m. Swim at 1:00 p.m. More info? http://www.penguinswim.atlanticgeneral.org.
Lewes, Delaware – Toot the Horn and Drop the Anchor at Lightship Overfalls. Festivities will start at 11:30 p.m. Refreshments and fire pits to keep you warm. The music will keep you hopping!!
Lightship Overfalls is the only National Historic Landmark that does a ball drop on New Year’s Eve.
Happy New Year’s!!!!!!
December 27th, 2011
New Year’s Eve in Lewes, Delaware, is something not to be missed. Weather permitting a full lighted anchor will be dropped from the mast of Lightship Overfalls, to its deck, with a countdown into the New Year. This is an annual tradition. It is the only National Historic Landmark that does a “ball drop”.
Lightship Overfalls was part of manned lightships or “floating lighthouses” that were started by the U.S. government in 1820. It is one of the 17 remaining and one of only 7 of such vessels in the country that is still open to the public. For more info., please visit http://www.overfalls.org.
These floating lighthouses could be placed in deep waters where it was practically impossible to put fixed structures; they could also be moved easily.
In the mid 20th century new automated lights and radio signals made these vessels a thing of the past.
Lighthship Overfalls was built in 1938 and was one of the last to be built. In 1973 it was given to the Lewes Historical Society.
Then, on 12/7/01 ownership was transferred to the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
So, if you are in Lewes, for this last day of 2011, then put on your party hat and get down to the canal, right at Front and Shipcarpenter Streets. Help everyone welcome 2012, toot the horn and drop that anchor.
Have a good time!!!
December 31st, 2010
In the information available on the Lewes Chamber of Commerce’s website I found out about “Toot the Horn”. It is a celebration in Historic Lewes; New Year’s Eve, at the Overfalls Maritime Museum on Front Street. It will take place at midnight so be there before that time because it will be just “Toot the Horn” as we welcome 2011!!
One of the advantages of having a blog or passing information along is that at the same time I am learning about my own backyard. I am embarrassed to admit that I did not know what the Lightship Overfalls was. So, I took a little drive to where it is located. I had seen it before but, once again, have passed it by without giving it another thought.
And there it was. Bright red and white; the snow covered ground made the whole area so pretty.
The following information came from the Delaware Public Archives, 2003, SC-175 and is also in the marker explaining its history.
“The Lightship Overfalls was built in 1938 at the Rice Brothers shipyard in East Boothbay, Maine. It was one of the last lightships constructed. Duty stations included Boston Harbor and two locations near Long Island, New York. After retirement from active service it was given to the Lewes Historical Society in 1973. The ship was renamed to recognize the lightship station on Overfalls Shoals that marked the southern entrance to the Delaware Bay. On December 2001, ownership of the ship was transferred to the Overfalls Maritime Museum Foundation. The Lightship Overfalls is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.”
“The United States government initiated the use of manned lightships or “floating lighthouses” in 1820. These vessels, like Lightship Overfalls, addressed many needs. The beacon on the lightship’s mast and the sound of its foghorn contributed greatly to the safe passage of ships in various weather conditions. My the mid 20th century the increasing use of automated lights and radio signals made these vessels obsolete.”
It is so easy to get to where it is located. If you are on Savannah Rd. by the bridge, you will take a right or left, depending where you are coming from, on Front Street. Right past the tennis courts on the right you will see it. Plenty of parking is available.
Lightship Overfalls is one of ony 17 remaining lightships out of a total of 179 built from 1820 to 1952; also one of 7 lightships in this country still open to the public.
At the present time group tours and off season tours can be arranged by request. There are a few telephones: 302-645-7377, 302-645-5071 or 302-645-4773.
The website is very complete and informative. Please visit www.overfalls.org. You can even take a virtual tour.
But please remember to be there tomorrow, New Year’s Eve; the beautiful town of Historic Lewes at 11:59 p.m.!!
Have a great time………
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