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Lewes Christmas Parade Dec. 7 will feature Mistletoe & Holly theme

Hope and John Ellsworth selected as grand marshals
October 29, 2013

Tom King, chairman of the Lewes Christmas Parade, which is jointly sponsored by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, has announced the selection of Hope and John Ellsworth as this year’s grand marshals for the 82nd Annual Christmas Parade.

The Ellsworths have participated as entrants in many prior Christmas parades with such unique entries as a giant rocking horse and last year’s Most Original Entry winner, which depicted Old Man Winter bringing a Christmas snowstorm to Lewes. They own Preservation Forge on Third Street where John holds court as a working blacksmith and creator of many whimsical and functional items.

The parade begins at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7 (rain/snow date: Sunday, Dec. 8, at the same time). The theme for this year’s parade is Mistletoe & Holly. Organizations and individuals who want to enter the parade in a decorated vehicle or in a marching group should contact the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, 302-645-8073 to receive an entry form. The deadline for entry is Thursday, Nov. 21.

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories: Youth Marching Group, Band, Clown, Equestrian, Antique Car (vintage 1967 or older), Decorated Vehicle (after 1967 or more recent), Fire Company, Commercial Float, Punkin’ Chunkin’ Vehicle, Community Organization Float and Youth Organization Float. Entrants will be notified in a mailing Tuesday, Nov. 26, regarding their entry number and parade lineup time. The parade begins on Savannah Road at Sussex Drive and will end in front of King’s Ice Cream Shop on Second Street. Entrants for the parade are asked to commit to the rain/snow date if it is necessary.

Dennis Forney, publisher of the Cape Gazette, will return as the parade announcer and will introduce the entries from the Judges’ Reviewing Stand in Zwaanendael Park to the crowd gathered on Savannah Road. The chamber’s board of directors will be leading the parade carrying a huge Frosty the Snowman helium balloon. After the parade, the Christmas tree in Zwaanendael Park will be illuminated followed by candlelight caroling in the park led by Christy Taylor with sound by Bill Larsen.

The Christmas parade is the culmination of a number of special events and activities associated with the celebration of Christmas in historic Lewes. They kick off Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Irish Eyes Restaurant with the 25th annual Nouveau Beaujolais Wine Tasting sponsored by Community Bank Delaware to benefit the American Red Cross of the Delmarva Peninsula.

At 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 5, there will be a benefit Tree Lighting at Beebe Medical Center. followed by the Lewes Merchants’ 27th annual Hospitality Night from 6 to 9 p.m. in the historic commercial district surrounding Second Street.

The Children’s Beach House will host its annual Art Exhibit & Sale Preview Party from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, with the sale continuing on Saturday and Sunday.

The Lewes Historical Society’s 41st Annual House Tour will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7. There are numerous other activities throughout Lewes associated with the weekend. For a complete listing, visit www.leweschamber.com. Tickets for the Nouveau Beaujolais Wine Tasting and the Lewes Historical Society House tour can be purchased at the chamber’s visitor center in the Fisher-Martin House on Kings Highway behind the Zwaanendael Museum. The chamber’s visitor center is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be open from 9 a.m. to  4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7.

 

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