Boast the Coast to return to Lewes Oct. 5
The 24th annual Boast the Coast event will take place Saturday, Oct. 5.
Boast the Coast was conceived in 1996 to showcase Lewes’ nautical heritage and to feature activities that complemented the already long-established University of Delaware’s annual Coast Day event. Coast Day takes place on the university’s Lewes campus on Pilottown Road the first Sunday in October, and Boast the Coast takes place the day before.
There are a number of free activities associated with Boast the Coast taking place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in 1812 Park near the city dock on the canal. Children’s activities include free nautical-themed face painting and balloon art by Chuckles the Clown.
Free deck tours of the R/V First State, the Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife’s 65-foot research vessel, will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the city dock.
A seafood tasting will be held in the park during those hours with food priced individually.
The Lewes Historical Society is partnering again this year with the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Cape Water Tours for a special one-day tour as part of the Boast the Coast activities. The Cape Water Tours vessel Discovery will offer two, one-hour-long cruises, at 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This year, tours will depart from the Cape Water Tours dock at 213 Anglers Road, Lewes, not from the city dock.
The knowledgeable Lewes Historical Society guide aboard the Discovery will narrate the cruise south along the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal, including historic tales and lore. Tourgoers will hear tales of the early settlers of the area and pirate visits of the past. While taking in the wetland scenery, attendees will imagine Lewes's most famous historic event: its bombardment by the British during the War of 1812. They can see wildlife along the way and enjoy the changing season on the quiet backwaters.
Advance reservations for each of the two tours can be made by going to the Cape Water Tour’s website. Tickets are $10 per person and seating is limited, so advance reservations are strongly suggested. To register, go to www.capewatertaxi.com/treasured-tales-lore-tour-1-hour/ or call 302-644-7334.
The annual Lewes Merchants’ Fall Sidewalk Sale has long been associated with Boast the Coast. It is a three-day event, from Friday, Oct. 4 to Sunday, Oct. 6.
The Lewes Historical Society’s Craft Show will be open from 10 a.m to 4 p.m., Saturday on its campus at 110 Shipcarpenter St. Admission is $5, and children under 12 are admitted free. The Lewes History Museum will be open 10 a.m to 4 p.m., and the Cannonball House at 118 Front St. will be open from 12 to 4 p.m. Both will be open with exhibits on display at no charge, with donations accepted.
The Lightship Overfalls will be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 5, in Lewes Canalfront Park.
Other events associated with Boast the Coast are: the Historic Lewes Farmers Market in the Shields Elementary School parking lot from 9 a.m. to noon; the Zwaanendael Museum’s Maritime Program; the Lewes Library Carnival with old-fashioned games and prizes, a balloon artist, first responder trucks and performances from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 111 Adams Ave.; the Cape Artists open house from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at their Third Street Gallery; and the Peninsula Gallery’s opening reception for The Figure exhibit featuring Haley Manchon, Syd McGinley and Beth Trepper, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 520 E. Savannah Road.
For more information, go to www.LewesChamber.com or call 302-645-8073.
