Lewes Tulip Celebration to welcome spring April 1-16

The 14th annual Lewes Tulip Celebration, jointly sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Lewes in Bloom, will blossom from Saturday, April 1 to Sunday, April 16.

The organizing committee is chaired by event founder and former Lewes Mayor Ted Becker, and includes the Lewes in Bloom co-chairs and founder, and representatives from the Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission, Lewes Historical Society and Zwaanendael Museum.

This year, Lewes in Bloom funded the purchase of 32,000 tulip and spring bulbs that were planted in fall 2022 by volunteers.

The timing of the tulips’ appearance is an inexact science, and either milder or colder weather in advance of the event dates can affect the tulips’ blooming stages. The event dates span three weekends, and more than 100 varieties will be on display.

The Tiptoe To The Tulips Map will be available in late March at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in the historic Fisher-Martin House in Zwaanendael Park. The visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Maps will also be available at brochure boxes throughout the historic commercial district. The map lists more than 20 locations where bulbs were planted, and it also has a schedule of tulip celebration activities.

Lewes in Bloom will be selling tulips from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until they sell out, Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8, at the Bank Street Plaza on Second Street.

The Lewes Historical Society and Lewes in Bloom are partnering to offer History in Bloom walking tours at 10:30 a.m., and 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, April 1 and 2. Tours will be led by historic guides and will provide information on Lewes’ rich maritime history. A knowledgeable guide from Lewes in Bloom will help point out the multiple tulip varieties found around Lewes. Tours begin at the Cannonball House back garden, behind 118 Front St. Cost is $10 for adults, and $5 for children 12 and under. To purchase tickets, go to historiclewes.org.

Ken Norman, owner/designer at Floral Inspirations, 524 E. Savannah Road in the shops under the Beacon Motel, will host demonstrations from 1 to 3 p.m., Friday and Saturday, April 7 and 8. He will highlight several different varieties of tulips and show how to arrange them, from simple to more creative ways.

The GFWC Zwaanendael Women’s Club will host a geranium sale to raise funds for its community service programs. The club is taking orders for geraniums from Wednesday, March 15, to Saturday, April 15. Pickup is scheduled for Friday, May 5, at Lewes in Bloom’s warehouse at 217 Schley Ave., Lewes.

Geraniums are $7 per 6-inch pot for bright pink, white, red and salmon blooms. Email orders to mRocksRN@comcast.net or make checks payable to Z Club and mail to P.O. Box 100, Lewes, DE 19958.

Additional activities associated with the Tulip Celebration include tulip arrangements by the Sussex Gardeners on display in the Zwaanendael Museum. The museum will host Dutch Poetry in the Park at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 8. The outdoor poetry reading will include interpretation of verses regarding the 1662 Dutch settlement. 

Cape Artists will hold an open house featuring a tulip-themed art exhibition and painting demos from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, April 1, at 110 W. Third St. Also, Cape Artists members will be painting en plein air at locations around town. 

An opening reception for the Feathered Friends art exhibit, featuring bird portraits from 11 juried artists, is set for 5 to 6:30 p.m., April 1, at Peninsula Gallery, 520 E. Savannah Road.

For more information, go to leweschamber.com.