Lewes cancels Labor Day fireworks

Mayor Ted Becker announced Aug. 10 that the fireworks show off Lewes Beach slated for Labor Day weekend has been canceled. 

The show was originally scheduled for the Fourth of July, but postponed to September in hopes that the COVID-19 situation would improve and allow for large group gatherings. 

But while numbers are declining statewide, the city is still not in a position where it can safely hold a fireworks show. 

Becker said the majority of the deposit for this year’s event will be transferred to next year’s Fourth of July show.

Council extends Meterless Mornings

Lewes Mayor and City Council extended Meterless Mornings through the end of the meter season, Oct. 15. The initiative allows people to park for free in downtown spaces and lots until noon daily. It does not apply to beach parking lots. 

Lewes Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Betsy Reamer said Meterless Mornings have been successful for the struggling downtown business community. 

“The downtown businesses and beach-side businesses took a big hit by being closed for three months,” Reamer said. “The thought was to do something bold and aggressive to try to jump-start the economy.”

Delaware being added and removed then added again to quarantine lists of several nearby states has been difficult for Lewes businesses, she said. Accommodations are also off by an average of 40 percent, she said.

The chamber recently shifted its focus to market Meterless Mondays and shopping downtown to locals, specifically targeting people who may still be hesitant to go out to shop or eat.

“It’s safe to come out here,” Reamer said. “You can come to Lewes and you can feel safe.” 

The chamber brought together 21 Lewes businesses to invest in a television commercial campaign. The production crew was recently in town and commercials are already airing on TV.

Reamer said Lewes is already seeing positive results. Activity has picked up in August, she said, especially on rainy days like the afternoon after Tropical Storm Isaias passed. 

New face mask policy 

Council also adopted a new policy on face coverings, requiring people to wear them in specific areas of the city as long as Gov. John Carney’s state of emergency includes a face mask requirement. Council had previously required masks through Labor Day.

Locations in Lewes where face coverings are required are dense, with limited opportunity for people to properly physically distance.

Face masks are required while walking or riding bicycles in the downtown area, from Third Street to the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal and from Savannah Road to Market Street. Masks are also required on the Savannah Road drawbridge and in all beach parking lots. Face coverings are not required on the beach.