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Anchor drops to start another year
Lightship Overfalls Foundation volunteers help large crowd celebrate start of 2024
A large crowd gathers in Lewes Canalfront Park to celebrate the arrival of 2024 and watch a lighted anchor drop from the mast of the Lightship Overfalls. RON MACARTHUR PHOTOS
January 2, 2024
New York City has its ball drop and other cities across the country drop everything from a big orange and Hershey’s Kiss to a crab, acorn, potato and even a 400-pound Peeps chicken, but Lewes has its own tradition to welcome in the new year.
For the past 13 years, Lightship Overfalls Foundation volunteers have lowered a lighted anchor from the top of the mast of the historic ship in Canalfront Park. The tradition was renewed to welcome in 2024, as a crowd estimated at 400 people watched as foundation President Michael Safina provided the countdown.
The previous year was a big one for the Overfalls, as it was the 85th anniversary of its construction and the 50th anniversary of its arrival in Lewes.
The lighted anchor on the Lightship Overfalls is ready for its once-a-year appearance to welcome a new year.
The crowd is silhouetted by the lights shining on the Lightship Overfalls, which is one the few fully restored lightships in the county.
Lightship Overfalls Foundation President Mike Safina uses a megaphone to provide the countdown to a new year.
Volunteers use lines to lower the lighted anchor marking the end of one year and the beginning of another.
Becky Gray, visiting Lewes over the holiday, is in a festive mood as she waits for the anchor to drop.
