Lewes Chamber of Commerce to present 18th Boast the Coast Maritime Festival Oct. 5
The Lewes Chamber of Commerce will present the 18th Annual Boast the Coast event Saturday, Oct. 5, with maritime-themed activities throughout the day and into the evening.
The Boast the Coast activities in 1812 Park and at the City Dock begin at 11 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 a.m. to 5 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. Participating boat captains and their crew will be hosted at a reception immediately following the parade. The reception is sponsored by the Blue Sea Café on Second Street.
Free boat tours on the popular Cape Water Taxi will take place at the City Dock from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. The taxi will take passengers for a short ride on the canal. The Lewes Fire Department’s Fire Boat also will be at City Dock, offering the opportunity to tour the vessel.
Other activities associated with the event include a Seafood Tasting at 1812 Park featuring specialties priced individually, prepared by numerous chamber-member restaurants. Also at 1812 Park, the Family Fun Tent will feature the entertaining Flumpa the Tree Frog musical show and Chuckles the Clown’s pirate-themed magic show. The Lewes Historical Society’s Maritime History Museum in the Cannonball House will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for free tours featuring an extensive collection reflecting Lewes’ maritime history. The Lightship Overfalls, berthed in Lewes Canalfront Park on Front Street and designated a National Historic Landmark, will be open for free tours from 10 a.m. to 4 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 the 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.
It does not cost anything for boat owners to enter the parade, and all registered boat entries will be eligible for three 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 Zwaanendael Museum or call 302-645-8073 to have one mailed. All forms must be received by noon, Saturday, Oct. 5.
