Lewes Chamber announces arrival of Santa Nov. 27

The Lewes Chamber of Commerce will host holiday shoppers at two upcoming events – Small Business Saturday, Nov. 27, and the 34th annual Hospitality Night Thursday, Dec. 2, from 5 to 8 p.m.

A new holiday tradition is in the making with the announcement that for the second year in a row, Santa will arrive at the City Dock in Lewes on Small Business Saturday aboard the Cape Water Taxi at 12:45 p.m., then walk over to his Santa House in front of Citizens Bank at the corner of Second and Bank streets. He will be greeted there by his elves, members of the Lewes Hospitality Ambassadors, who also assisted him last year with maintaining proper social distance while his visitors wait to talk to Santa at his front door. Children can deposit their letters to Santa anytime in the mailbox located next to his house. He promises he’ll read every one of them!

Santa’s first appearance at his house will be Small Business Saturday, from 1 to 3 p.m., Nov. 27. His other appearances will be as follows: Thursday, Dec. 2 for Hospitality Night; 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 8; 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11; 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 17; 1 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 18; and finally, 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 22.

The fun for holiday shoppers continues at the Merchants’ Hospitality Night from 5 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 2. For 34 years, on the Thursday before the annual Lewes Christmas Parade, shops and restaurants in the historic Lewes business district surrounding Second Street have hosted a special night of holiday shopping and entertainment. To enhance the safety of children visiting Santa that night and others walking between shops and restaurants, Second Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 4 to 8 p.m.

Holiday music will add to the festive mood in front of Citizens Bank with appearances by the Cape Henlopen High School Jazz Band under the direction of Chris Burkhart, and the Cape Henlopen High School Chorus, alternating their performances from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Popular musical entertainer Jgar Helwig will continue offering holiday music from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

The Dogfish Inn at the corner of Savannah Road and Gills Neck Road has added a new attraction to Hospitality Night.

“The Dogfish Inn is proud to call historic Lewes home. We hope folks will visit town on Hospitality Night and check out all the wonderful merchants, shops, and eateries that make the First Town in the First State so special,” said Mark Carter, Lewes Chamber board member and a member of the Dogfish team. Carter suggested the idea to host a beer garden on the grounds of the inn. “We also know that Lewes looks beautiful year-round due to the hardworking volunteers of Lewes in Bloom. This year, we welcome those sauntering around town to stop by and maybe have a beer or canned cocktail by our fire pit. All sales will go 100 percent to Lewes in Bloom to fund their purchase of tulip bulbs for the April 2022 Tulip Celebration.” Carter suggests that Hospitality Night attendees should take the opportunity to warm up next to the fire pit as they get in some of that early local holiday shopping and dining.

When told about the Dogfish fundraiser, Susan Crawford, one of three Lewes in Bloom co-chairs, responded, “The tulip bulbs are nestled in their beds preparing for their fantastic show in the spring. A special thank you to Dogfish Head for their generosity. As we enter the season of Thanksgiving and celebration, Lewes in Bloom wants to express its gratitude to Dogfish Head and indeed the entire community for all their support and encouragement over the years.”