Lewes continues traditional Second Street games, boat parade July 4

The City of Lewes kicks off its Independence Day celebration by continuing its long tradition of hosting old-fashioned games for children on Second Street beginning at 9 am., Friday, July 4. For the safety of the participants, Second Street will be closed while the games are in progress and will reopen at the conclusion of the games.

Following the games, the Lewes Independence Day Boat Parade will wind its way down the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal to Fisherman’s Wharf as part of the City of Lewes’ Fourth of July holiday festivities. 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 approximately 2 p.m. Former Mayor Jim Ford is this year’s honorary grand marshal. Mayor Ted Becker will announce the parade; members of City Council and the presidents of the Lightship Overfalls Foundation and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce will serve as the judges. This is the 11th year that the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the Overfalls Foundation have jointly sponsored the Independence Day Boat Parade.

All preregistered 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. All boat entrants will receive merchandise prizes from the Overfalls Foundation. Boats will be judged on the best use of patriotic decorations.

At the conclusion of the parade, all boat entrants are invited to attend the Awards Ceremony on the deck of the Lightship Overfalls at 3:30 p.m. 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. Good viewing spots line the canal on both sides and go on a first-come basis.