Tradition continues with Lewes’ Fourth of July festivities

Lewes will continue its long Fourth of July tradition with a handful of activities for the entire family.

Beginning at 9 a.m., Monday, children are invited to participate in old-fashioned games on Second Street. Games include a hula hoop competition, a pie-eating contest and egg on a spoon, three-legged and potato sack races.

Following the games, the Lewes Independence Day Boat Parade will wind its way down the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal from the Roosevelt Inlet to Fisherman’s Wharf. Dr. Nancy Targett has been named the parade’s honorary grand marshal to honor her service to the Lewes community for 33 years.

The parade entrants will leave from Roosevelt Inlet across from the Coast Guard Station at 1:30 p.m. and reach the judges’ reviewing stand at Fisherman’s Wharf at about 2 p.m. Mayor Ted Becker will announce the parade in the area of Fisherman’s Wharf. The parade judges are members of city council, board directors from the Lightship Overfalls Foundation and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. This is the 13th year that the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the Overfalls Foundation have jointly sponsored the Independence Day Boat Parade.

All pre-registered boat entrants will be eligible for prizes that include a unique hand-carved figurine by local carver Bert Long, a member of the organizing committee. The figurine will be awarded to the most creatively decorated boat. First-, second- and third-place ribbons will also be awarded. Boats will be judged on the best use of patriotic decorations. To be eligible for a prize, the vessel must be registered prior to 10 a.m., July 4.

Registration forms will be available at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in the Fisher-Martin House in Zwaanendael Park, at Pilottown Marina on Pilottown Road and the Lewes Harbour Marina Bait and Tackle at the end of Anglers Road. For more information, call the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 302-645-8073. Late, unregistered entries are invited to join the parade by arriving at the Roosevelt Inlet at 1:30 p.m., tuning a VHF radio to channel 65 and following instructions. There is no charge to participate as an entrant in the boat parade or to be a spectator.

Later in the afternoon, the Doo-Dah Parade will begin around 5 p.m. on its regular route toward town on King Highway, Savannah Road and then onto Second Street.