October 3rd, 2014

Destination? Lewes, Delaware, “The First Town in The First State”, Activities, Events, Entertainment….Fall-ing in Love with Lewes, Delaware Beaches, Southern Delaware

Lewes, Delaware is Sussex County’s northernmost coastal town.  It was founded in 1631 and it is the oldest settlement in Delaware.  That’s why the nickname of “The First Town in The First State” is so well known.

Lewes is in the perfect location in Southern Delaware.  It provides access to the Delaware Bay and Atlantic Ocean.  I don’t know if you know that in 2006 Lewes was selected by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of America’s “Dozen Distinctive Destinations”.

It is a year round community and the town does look good all the time.  Plenty of shops, restaurants, activities and entertainment for the residents and visitors alike.

So, What’s Going On Lewes?

FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, 10/3, 10/4, 10/5 – LEWES MERCHANTS’ FALL SIDEWALK SALE – Sales galore, plenty of bargains, not only in Lewes, but in Rehoboth Beach, and Dewey Beach, as well.  You would not believe, people do plan for these sales at the beach.  Great time to enjoy a fall week-end and grab those essentials.  Stores surrounding the Lewes Commercial Historic District will be ready!!  I hope you are too and the stores do open at 10 a.m.

SATURDAY, 10/4 – LEWES IN BLOOM’S FALL PLANT SALE – 8:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at 2nd & Banks Streets in front of the Citizens Bank. Lewes looks so nice with the help of this organization.  The sales of tulips and other flowering plants at this time of the year, and member-grown plants, as well help fund their horticultural efforst in the City of Lewes.  http://www.lewesinbloom.org.

SATURDAY, 10/4 – VOLUNTEER TRAIL DAY – CAPE HENLOPEN STATE PARK – 9:00 a.m. until Noon.  Join Friends of Cape Henlopen as they clean up and work to maintain the park’s trails used by so many year round.  More info?  Please call 302-644-5005.

SATURDAY, 10/4 – LEWES FALL CRAFT FAIR – 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Historical Complex at Second & Shipcarpenter Streets in Downtown Lewes.  Admission is $5.00 per person and children under 12 are Free.  Proceeds from this event will benefit the educational and preservation programs at the Society.  Buildings in the Historical Complex will be open to the public.  Live music from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. by New & Used Bluegrass Band.  Delicious food by Casa Amici…cold treats by Vitale’s Italian Ice.  This is a well attended Craft Fair with usually around 3,000 visitors coming to the town.  For more information, please visit http://www.historiclewes.org.

SATURDAY, 10/4 – DELAWARE BREAKWATER KAYAK ECO-TOURS – 10 a.m. until Noon – 2-hour tours for beginner paddlers, but can be strenous.  Equipment will be provided.  Bring drinking water and sunscreen.  No flip-flops.  Single and tandem kayaks available.  Solo paddlers must be at least 13.  Under 18 must be accompanied by a paying adult.  Limit 10.  Pre-registration is required by calling 302-645-6852.  $25 for solo and $35 for tandem.  Location?  Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Dr. in Lewes.

SATURDAY, 10/4 – HIKE THE POINT –  11 a.m. until 1 p.m. 2 Miles!!  Explore the natural and cultural history of this ever-changing spit of land.  Dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.  Ages 7 and up with an adult.  Pre-registration is necessary, so please call 302-645-6852.  It is FREE!!  Location?  Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Drive.

SATURDAY, 10/4 – 19th ANNUAL BOAST THE COAST MARITIME FESTIVAL – Maritime-themed activities throughout the day.  This event is presented by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, http://www.leweschamber.com.  Activities at the 1812 Park and the City Dock will begin at 11 a.m.  Boat Tours at the City Dock will begin at 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.  New Jersey’s Tall Ship, the A.J. Meerwald returns for this event, offering free tours, along with Wilmington’s newest Fire Boat.  The Boat Parade will be held at 4 p.m.  Seafood Tasting at 1812 Park, will begin at lunch time.  Entertainment at the 1812 Park at the Family Fun Tent with Flumpa, the Tree Frog musical show, and Chuckles the Clown’s pirate-themed magic show.  The Lewes Historical Society’s Maritime History Museum, located at the Cannonball House on Front Street will be open for tours, and The Lightship Overfalls at Canalfront Park on Front will be open for free tours, as well.

SATURDAY, 10/4 – ZWAANENDAEL MUSEUM MARITIME PROGRAM – 2 p.m.  Location?  At the museum on the corner of King’s Highway and Savannah Rd. in Lewes.

SATURDAY, 10/4 – CAMPFIRE CIRCLE:  NIGHT SOUNDS AT CAPE HENLOPEN STATE PARK – 6 P.M. UNTIL 7 P.M. – Enjoy the stories and the activities out about nocturnal animals.  Bring marshmallows and sticks for roasting after the program.  Ages 5 and up with an adult.  Meet at the campground amphitheater. Cape Henlopen State Park, 15099 Cape Henlopen Dr. in Lewes.  More info?  Call 302-645-6852.  It is FREE!!

SUNDAY, 10/5 – CLASSIC CAR SHOW AT THE CAPE MAY-LEWES FERRY TERMINAL – Staging will begin at 7:30 a.m. but the show will start at 9 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.  Proceeds will benefit breast cancer awareness and will be donated to Cape Regional Breast Cancer Services and Beebe’s Tunnell Cancer Care.  More info?  Please visit http://www.cmlf.com

SUNDAY, 10/5 – COAST DAY – 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Each year Coast Day is presented by The University of Delaware, and sponsored by UD’s College of Earth, Ocean, and Environment and the Delaware Sea Grant College Program.  Admission and parking are free.  Location?  UD’s Hugh R. Sharp Campus, 700 Pilottown Rd., in Lewes.  Those in attendance will be able to interact with researchers, tour ships, try hands-on activities, and attend presentations on a wide range of topics.  Family friendly activities will be:  an event-wide treasure hunt for answers to questions about the environment and Coast Day exhibits.  Children can meet sea-dwelling animals such as horseshoe crabs and dogfish sharks at the critter touch tanks.  Live music, vendor displays, and seafood favorites…..food, including the Crab Cake Cook-Off and the Seafood Chowder Challenge!!

TGIF…..Have fun!!

September 27th, 2012

Saturday, October 6th, Lewes, Delaware, 17th Annual Boast The Coast, Maritime Festival, Boat Tours, Lewes Historical Society Craft Show, Lewes in Bloom Fall Plant Sale, Historic District Merchants’ Fall Sidewalk Sale, Seafood Tasting at 1812 Park, The Lighted Boat Parade, What a Day!!, Come to Historic Lewes early and Stay Awhile!

Hope you are coming to visit the Delaware Beaches….because, the Second Season is in full swing!!  Historic Lewes, Delaware a packed Saturday, 10/6!!

The Lewes Chamber of Commerce presents the 17th Annual Boast the Coast event that will be taking place in Lewes on Saturday, October 6th.  There will be maritime-themed activities throughout the day and into the evening.

The Boast the Coast activities in 1812 Park and the City Dock, located along Front St. near Canalfront Park Marina, begin at 11:00 a.m.  Other events taking place that day include the Lewes Historical Society Craft Show, the Lewes in Bloom Fall Plant Sale beginning at 9 a.m. and the Historic District Merchants’ Fall Sidewalk Sale from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

The Lighted Boat Parade culminates the day’s activities at dusk on the canal.  Lewes Mayor Jim Ford will announce the parade from the judge’s reviewing stand at Fisherman’s Wharf.

The free boat tours at the City Dock, located on Front Street, begin at 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  For the first time, the boat tours will be offered on the newest addition to the Lewes Canal – The Cape Water Taxi.  The taxi will take passengers for a short ride on the canal.  The Lewes Fire Department’s Fire Boat also will be at the City Dock, offering the opportunity to tour their vessel.

A Seafood Tasting  at 1812 Park will part of the festivities of the day.  It will feature specialties priced individually, prepared by numerous chamber-member restaurants.

The much loved, Family Fun Tent, will also be at 1812 Park, featuring entertainment by Flumpa the Tree Frog’s musical show, and Chuckles the Clown’s pirate-themed magic show.

The Lewes Historical Society’s Maritime History museum located in the Cannonball House, located on Front Street, will open from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for free tours featuring their extensive collection reflecting Lewes’ maritime history.

The Lightship Overfalls, berthed in the Canalfront Park on Front Street and designated a National Historic Landmark, will be open for free tours from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Boats participating in the Lighted Boat Parade will leave Roosevelt Inlet around 6:30 p.m. and arrive at the City Dock/Fisherman’s Wharf area around 7 p.m.

The event chairman, Lewes Chamber of Commerce board member, Orville Mills, of George Sherman Corp. will serve as Head Judge and with the other judges will view the Lighted Boat Parade from the deck of one of the boats at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Note:  It does not cost anything for boat owners to enter the parade and all registered boat entries will be eligible for 3 cash prizes.  To register, boat owners can pick up entries at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce visitor center in the Fisher-Martin House next to the Zwaanendale Museum or call 302-645–8073 to have one mailed.  All registrations must be received by Noon, Saturday, October 6th!!

More info?  Please visit http://www.leweschamber.com.

So…make plans because the Delaware Beaches have so much going on this season.