25th Lewes British Motorcar Show to ride into town May 1
The Lewes British Motorcar Show – The British are Coming...Again! will welcome a wide array of classic British vehicles to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal grounds from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 1. There is no rain date.
The Lewes Chamber of Commerce sponsors the show with assistance from the British Car Club of Delaware. The show is supported by Southern Delaware Tourism.
Some 25 years ago, Car Show Chairman Mike Tyler and the British Car Club of Delaware originated the concept of staging a British Motorcar Show in the spring to attract visitors to Lewes before the summer season goes into full swing. In the 24 previous shows, a specific marque was featured, but for the 25th anniversary show, there won’t be one. Last year’s show was canceled due to COVID-19, so the show’s silver anniversary will be celebrated this year.
The Delaware Division of Public Health has approved the chamber’s submitted plan to address concerns related to large gatherings. Contact tracing, requiring masks and social distancing, and having hand sanitation available are among the initiatives being implemented for this year’s show.
Betsy Reamer, Lewes Chamber of Commerce executive director, said, “The popularity of this show has continued to grow over the years, and the show’s venue at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal allows for staging 100 vehicles with the backdrop of the beautiful Delaware Bay.” Amenities at the terminal include food and beverage service at the Lewes Coffee Company and Grain on the Rocks, and public restrooms. One of the many attractions to attending this show, both as a car entrant and as a spectator, is the show’s proximity to the historic business district with its shopping, sidewalk sale bargains and restaurants.
Five judges will be selecting the winners in each of 10 categories. There will be first-, second- and third-place awards in each category as well as Best in Show. Judges are Lewes Mayor Ted Becker, Lewes Chamber of Commerce Board President Nikky Fisher, WRDE News Anchor Madeleine Overturf and British Car Club of Delaware members Charlie O’Donnell and Jeffrey Broderick, who will be coordinating the judging. Broderick is the owner of the 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II that won Best in Show multiple times and has been retired from competition in the Lewes show. He continues to bring his car to the show for everyone to admire.
The show concludes at 3 p.m. with the Winners’ Circle Parade from the ferry terminal, across the drawbridge and along Second Street. The cars will stop in front of Citizens Bank where Mike Tyler will announce the winners and the 31 winners will be given their awards by Mayor Becker.
Show admission is $5 for adults; children under 12 are admitted free. For more information, call the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 302-645-8073.
The British Motorcar Show is scheduled the same weekend as the Merchants’ Spring Sidewalk Sale in the Historic Lewes Commercial District around Second Street.
The three-day sale will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday, April 30 to Sunday, May 2. Other events sponsored by Lewes Chamber members taking place May 1 include the Lewes in Bloom plant sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at 218 Schley Ave.; the Historic Lewes Farmers Market in George H.P. Smith Park from 8 a.m. to noon; the Peninsula Gallery’s opening reception for its Whimsical Women art exhibition; and the Cape Artists Gallery Open House and tent sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For full details about all these events, go to LewesChamber.com.
