Lewes British Motorcar Show will return to ferry grounds May 4
The Lewes British Motorcar Show, The British are Coming ... Again, will welcome a wide array of classic British vehicles to Lewes from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 4, at the Lewes ferry terminal, 43 Cape Henlopen Drive. No spectator entry is allowed after 2 p.m. A rain date is set for Sunday, May 5.
Show co-sponsors are the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and the British Car Club of Delaware. The show is supported by Southern Delaware Tourism.
Some 29 years ago, car show Chair 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. This year’s event committee has announced that the 2024 show will recognize Lotus as its featured marque.
Lotus Engineering was founded in 1952, and its racing branch, Team Lotus, was established in 1958, competing in Formula One racing from 1958-94. Initially, Lotus sold cars to be used as private racers and had a notable racing history in Formula One. Lotus was the first marque to win 50 Grand Prix victories. The Lotus road car model names all begin with “E,” including Elise, Elan, Eclat and Esprit.
Two years ago, the show introduced a new class of vehicles – future classics, comprising model years 2001 to the present. In past years, only British-made vehicles produced from model year 2000 and older were eligible to enter the show.
Due to space limitations at the venue, only 120 cars can be displayed, so registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration is now open at Eventbrite.com. After capacity registrations are reached, a wait list will be created. Last year, registrations filled in 19 days.
“The popularity of this show has continued to grow over the years, and the show’s venue at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal in Lewes allows for staging 120 vehicles with the backdrop of the beautiful Delaware Bay,” said Betsy Reamer, Lewes chamber executive director. Amenities at the terminal include food and beverage service at the Lewes Coffee Company and Grain on the Rocks, along with public restrooms.
One of the many attractions of attending this show, for both car entrants and spectators, is its proximity to Lewes’ historic business district, offering shopping options including spring sidewalk sale bargains, along with museums and restaurants.
Four judges will select the winners in each of 11 classes. There will be first-, second- and third-place awards plaques for all of them plus Best in Show.
The judges are Lewes Chamber of Commerce Board Past President Nikky Fisher, Lewes Mayor Andrew Williams, WRDE news anchor Charlie Sokaitis, and British Car Club of Delaware member Charlie O’Donnell. Dana Mason, another car club member, will coordinate the judging.
The show concludes at 3 p.m. with the winners’ circle parade from the ferry terminal across the drawbridge and down Second Street. The cars will stop at Bank Street Plaza, where winners will be announced and receive their awards.
Show admission is $5 for adults; children under age 12 are admitted free. For more information, call the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 302-645-8073.
The Spring Merchants’ Sidewalk Sale in the Historic Lewes commercial district is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday to Sunday, May 3 to 5.
Other events sponsored by Lewes chamber members taking place that day include the Historic Lewes Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at George H.P. Smith Park; Cape Artists’ Gallery sidewalk art exhibit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Peninsula Gallery’s Larger than Life art exhibition opening; Southern Delaware Therapeutic Riding’s Kentucky Derby Day Watch Party from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.; Friends of Cape Henlopen State Park’s Tour de Friends family-fun biking event; and from 10 a.m to 3 p.m., Delaware Center for the Inland Bays’ Water Family Fest and Native Plant sale.
For more information, go to LewesChamber.com.
