Lewes in Bloom founder to serve as parade grand marshal Dec. 6
The 93rd annual Lewes Christmas parade, presented by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, will step off at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, from Lewes Elementary School parking lot on Savannah Road. It will progress down Savannah to Second Street, ending in front of King’s Ice Cream shop. In case of inclement weather, the parade will be held at the same time Sunday, Dec. 7.
Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Christmas in Lewes and America’s 250th are the themes.
The parade organizing committee is co-chaired by Craig Beebe of NextHome Tomorrow Realty and G.W. Thompson of NerdsToGo.
Warren Golde has been selected as this year’s honorary grand marshal, in recognition of his work to found Lewes in Bloom 24 years ago, and for his many years of beautifying Lewes in public gardens and in the historic commercial district surrounding Second Street.
Golde was inspired to create the organization after a trip to England, where he admired all the hanging baskets and plantings, and he thought Lewes could benefit from similar initiatives. What started with seven volunteers and a few planters in the commercial areas on both sides of the canal has now expanded to more than 500 Lewes in Bloom members with plantings in 27 gardens. Although he and his wife Jane Ellan Golde will be moving out of state soon, he plans to return during Lewes’ annual Tulip Celebration in April 2026 to see the blossoms of bulbs to be planted this fall by Lewes in Bloom volunteers.
Reprising their roles as parade announcers will be chamber board member Jim Smith of Delmarva Power, and Michael DiPaolo of the Delaware Community Foundation.
Parade prizes are awarded in a number of categories including: Marching Group, Band, Clown, Equestrian, Decorated Classic Car (vintage 1967 or older), Decorated Vehicle (1968 or more recent), Fire Company, Commercial Float, Community Organization Float and Youth Organization Float.
Preregistration is required by Friday, Nov. 21. To learn more, call 302-645-8073 or go to leweschamber.com.
After the parade, everyone is invited to join Mayor Amy Marasco as she officially illuminates the Christmas tree in Zwaanendael Park, followed by candlelight caroling in the park led by Christy Taylor with some of her music students. The tree-lighting ceremony will commence shortly after the last parade entry passes the judges’ reviewing stand in Zwaanendael Park.
