Lewes friends Phyllis Hoenen and Carolyn Shockley gathered a few people together for an impromptu July 4 parade in 1968. They didn’t know it, but it wouldn’t take long for the Doo-Dah Parade to become a Lewes tradition. Family and friends of the founders continue to carry on that tradition on by spreading word about the parade and taking part in it. This year’s parade paid homage to those who have supported the parade over the years.
The parade assembles on Manila Avenue for the 5ish parade. The parade route travels down Kings Highway to Second Street, then back around on Third Street and up Savannah Road before returning to Manila Avenue.
People decked out in red, white and blue on bicycles, golf carts, gators, pushing strollers and pulling wagons and riding in decorated vehicles and flatbed trailers made 2025 one of the biggest parades ever.





Dan has worked for the Cape Gazette for more than 30 years as a photographer and reporter, covering high school sports and happenings around eastern Sussex County. He won a photography award from the National Newspaper Association, and numerous awards from the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. A Delaware native, Dan graduated from Cape in 1972 and returned as a teacher and coach in the 1980s. He retired from the classroom in 2016. He was inducted into Cape High’s Legends Stadium in 2016. In his spare time, Dan enjoys spending time with his wife, two sons, grandchildren and dogs.