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Lewes boat parade celebrates Fourth of July

Capt. Brian Hankin and the crew of Happy Our’s took the grand prize at the 2021 boat parade. NICK ROTH PHOTOS
Nick Roth
July 4, 2021

The banks of the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal were lined with red-white-and-blue-clad spectators for the annual Lewes Independence Day Boat Parade. 

Capt. Brian Hankin and the crew of Happy Our’s took the grand prize. Woman-powered rowboat Lady Hilda won first prize, while Tide Runner II claimed second prize. Third-prize winner was Sea Sisters. 

The parade was sponsored by Freedom Boat Club and the Lewes-Rehoboth Rotary Club. 

 

A crew of nine rows the Monomoy, a 26-foot-long surf boat that was brought back to life in 2015 by a small group of volunteers from the Overfalls Foundation.
Capt. Mike King pilots the Pappy Hour past the judges’ station.
Capt. Ralph Scott Jr. brings the Little Lulu past Fisherman’s Wharf. He’s joined by Lee Waples and granddaughters Maddie and Ellie.
Lori Soligo aka Lady Liberty enjoys a casual ride through the canal thanks to the efforts of Hilda Adams aka the eagle.
On the grand-prize-winning boat Happy Our’s are (l-r) Cathy Graeff, Brian Hankin, Christine Kensey, Kevin Kensey and Laurel Dasher.
Capt. Jim Rivette and the crew of Jr Squared share the patriotic spirit.
Perfecting the wave are Miss Delaware Teen USA Sky Knox, left, and Miss Delaware USA Drew Sanclemente.
Capt. Dick Christopher and guests power 508 through the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.
Leading Burt’s Boys down the canal is Capt. Eric Hertzog. He’s joined by Paul and Laurea, Gail and Tom, and Richelle.
Riding the Mad Dog are Dan, Sue, Lilly and Henry Bachtle, Jeff and Beth Kosinski, and Ava Lafferty.
Crowds gather in Canalfront Park to watch the annual boat parade.
Ava Lafferty, left, and Lilly Bachtle have a great time aboard the Mad Dog.
A good boy enjoys a ride through the canal.
Having a great time aboard Cape. Matt Mundok’s Tide Runner II are Michele and Kai Mundok; Bob and Theresa Kuntz and family; and Patrick Chirdon and family.
Freedom Boat Club sponsored the parade. In the lead boat are Freedom Boat owners Tom and Bev Rosella, Membership Director Rob Sweeney and Brenda Sweeney.
Overfalls Board Secretary Maggie Bauer presents the grand prize to the crew of Happy Our’s.
A mom and daughter aboard a rogue entry celebrate the USA.
A rouge entry passes by the judges.
It was a perfect day for a boat ride with your best friends.
A big group enjoys the perfect Fourth of July weather aboard the Miss Maggie.
Waving to the crowd from aboard The Long Run are Capt. Chris Sodl, Matt Stianche, Kissy Sodl and Soleil Rodriguez.
The Philly Special was not registered, but did garner some E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles chants along the banks of the canal.
Third-place boat Sea Sisters and crew cruise past the judges.

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Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams. 

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