Maritime Day and Lightship Overfalls celebration set May 18

The public is welcome to experience and celebrate maritime history and its impact on the Cape Region during the annual Lewes Maritime Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 18, at the Lightship Overfalls and Canalfront Park.

Lewes, known as the First Town in the First State, enjoys both a rich seafaring history and diverse current maritime interests.

The event, co-organized by the Cape May-Lewes Ferry and the Overfalls Foundation, and supported by the Zwaanendael Museum, Lewes Historical Society, Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the City of Lewes, includes displays, boat rides, vessel tours and activities, all free and open to the public.

A brief opening and remembrance ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. to kick off the day and reopen the Lightship Overfalls (LV-118) for the season. The program will include laying of wreaths to honor and remember local mariners and Overfalls Foundation members who have crossed the bar.

New Jersey’s official Tall Ship, the sailing vessel A.J. Meerwald, will be a special guest. Dockside tours of the 1928 restored oyster-dredging schooner will be available from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday. A public sail aboard the A.J. Meerwald is set for 10 a.m., Sunday, May 19. To reserve tickets, go to bayshorecenter.org.

The A.J. Meerwald is owned and operated by the Bayshore Center at Bivalve, a nonprofit organization located in Port Norris, N.J. 

“Lewes has a unique place in the annals of American maritime history, of which the ferry is a part,” said Heath Gehrke, CMLF director of ferry operations. “The festival is a fun and interactive way to learn more about our maritime history, industry and its many vocations. Come and join us for a great day of activities and exhibits as we celebrate the U.S. Merchant Marine, its historic support of the nation’s military and the many careers it offers.”

“Our objective for this Maritime Day is to inform and educate the public about the contribution of maritime resources in the local community and to share the community’s rich maritime history, including that of the U.S. Lighthouse Service and U.S. Lifesaving Service, precursors to the U.S. Coast Guard,” said Michael Safina, Overfalls Foundation president. “The Lightship Overfalls (LV-118) and the nearby Overfalls Lightship Station played major roles in the safe navigation of ships and their mariners throughout this nation’s history. We look forward to having the community help us reopen the ship for the 2024 season.”

The Lightship Overfalls and museum property will be open for free tours throughout the day. Various maritime participants will have displays at Canalfront Park adjacent to the Overfalls. It is a great way for scout groups, school groups, and parents and kids of all ages to spend the day.

Other Maritime Day activities include a life-raft demonstration by the ferry and a water cannon display by the fire boat from Lewes Fire Department. Lewes Historical Society interpreters will be portraying unique historical figures from the U.S. Lifesaving Service at both Canalfront Park and the Lewes Maritime Museum - Cannonball House.

Additional exhibitors include Cape Water Taxi, Delaware River & Bay Lighthouse Foundation, Fort Miles Historical Association, Freedom Boat Club, Groome Church, Lewes Yacht Club, MERR Institute, Military Sealift Command, New Hope Canoe Club Ministry, Sea Scouts, University of Delaware, Pirates of Lewes, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and Zwaanendael Museum.

In 1933, the U.S.Congress declared May 22 as National Maritime Day to honor the contributions of the American merchant marine – civilians who have defended the freedom of the United States since 1775 and who executed the largest sealift the world has ever known during World War II. Observance of National Maritime Day also honors the maritime industry and the benefits it brings Americans in terms of transportation, jobs, goods and recreational opportunities.

For more information about the Overfalls Foundation, go to overfalls.org, and for details about the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, go to cmlf.com.