Share: 

Lewes celebrates Johnnie Walker Beach Day

Memories of the past, vision for the future mark annual event
Darryl Daisey talks to the crowd at the fourth annual Lewes Johnnie Walker Beach Day Sept. 27. The event is a day of fun and family, sponsored by the city’s African American heritage commission. SUBMITTED PHOTOS
Bill Shull
October 2, 2025

Lewes residents gathered to honor the namesake of Johnnie Walker Beach Sept. 27.

The fourth annual Johnnie Walker Beach Day was sponsored by the city’s African American heritage commission.

Darryl Daisey, the commission chair, said Cynthia Anderson-Clay spoke about the history of the beach, which was formerly known by the generic name Beach 2.

The city renamed it after the longtime businessman in 2021.

Anderson-Clay described the beach as a place that brings a sense of unity and calm.

Daisey said the city has received a grant from DE250 to add an interpretive sign by next April.

“The sign will include old photographs, a narrative of its history and a QR code that will allow people to see more in-depth and current information,” Daisey said.

He said plans are also moving forward to build a replica pavilion at the beach, like the one that was there from the 1940s to 1970s.

“It will serve as a centerpiece in conveying community spirit to future generations of Lewes residents and visitors,” Daisey said.

Daisey said they are seeking to raise funds for the pavilion.

 

Janet Maull Martin, right, a longtime Cape Henlopen educator, administrator and school board member, shares her memories of the beach from after she moved to Lewes from Wilmington in 1958.
Shown are (l-r) Ellen Lorraine McCabe, Lewes city manager; Cynthia Anderson-Clay, African American heritage commission member; Mayor Amy Marasco; Mickeya Linzie, African American heritage commission member; and Trina Brown-Hicks, Lewes councilwoman.
The Rev. Deborah McCaffity, left, talks with Rep. Alonna Berry, D-Milton, at Johnnie Walker Beach Day.
Sen. Russ Huxtable, D-Lewes, entertains Rep. Alonna Berry’s young son, Malkemus.
Cynthia Anderson-Clay, Johnnie Walker Beach subcommittee chair, talks about the history of the beach.
Bill Collick, left, a member of the Lewes African American heritage commission, and Lewes Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba.
Johnnie Walker Beach Day brought a big crowd to Lewes. Shown are (l-r) Janet Maull Martin, Darryl Daisey and Gina Mifflin.
A photo from 1956 shows a family on what is now Johnnie Walker Beach. The original pavilion can been seen in the background. The Lewes African American Heritage Commission is planning to build a replica pavilion at the beach. PHOTO COURTESY KATHERINE “KITTY” PERRY

Most Popular

Bill Shull has been covering Lewes for the Cape Gazette since 2023. He comes to the world of print journalism after 40 years in TV news. Bill has worked in his hometown of Philadelphia, as well as Atlanta and Washington, D.C. He came to Lewes in 2014 to help launch WRDE-TV. Bill served as WRDE’s news director for more than eight years, working in Lewes and Milton. He is a 1986 graduate of Penn State University. Bill is an avid aviation and wildlife photographer, and a big Penn State football, Eagles, Phillies and PGA Tour golf fan. Bill, his wife Jill and their rescue cat, Lucky, live in Rehoboth Beach.

Most Popular