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Historic Lewes rings in Shanty Fest

First-of-its-kind event mixes music, art and the sea
The Ship’s Company was the first group to perform at Shanty Fest. Historic Lewes, formerly the Lewes Historic Society, hosted the inaugural event, which combined music, art and nautical culture. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
May 24, 2025

The air was filled with songs of the sea.

Historic Lewes, formerly the Lewes Historical Society, hosted its inaugural Shanty Fest May 17.

A group called The Ship’s Company kicked off the performances with traditional shanties from the 19th century. Several other bands followed throughout the day, including the Dreadnoughts.

The festival was a gathering of music, art and culture.

“We’ve lost a lot of our maritime tradition. We want to bring in a diverse crowd of people who enjoy music, enjoy the sea, bring it all together,” said Andrew Lyter, executive director of Historic Lewes.

Lyter said it is the first Shanty Fest in the Mid-Atlantic.

Maureen and Craig Siman of Margate, N.J., came to Lewes by sea.

“We took the ferry over and thought this would be a fun way to spend the day,” Maureen said.

Historic Lewes’ Sussex Tavern was serving up cold ones.

Local archeologist Ed Otter was serving up history lessons with artifacts that were uncovered during a recent dredge project.

“This where the term seltzer water comes from,” he said holding up a piece of a 19th-century water bottle with a distinct logo.

Owen Payette McGarry applied traditional hand-poked tattoos in one of the historic buildings on the campus. 

Lyter said Historic Lewes plans to make Shanty Fest an annual event.

 

Maureen and Craig Siman of Margate, N.J., listen to Dave Haynes talk about Historic Lewes’ wooden boat program. Haynes said a student helped built that boat from a kit.
Dressed in traditional clothing from the early 19th century are (l-r) Mike Pearson, Andrew Lyter and Bryant Dettinger.
Archeologist Ed Otter explains a table full of artifacts that were found in Lewes.
Pieces of bottles that archeologist Ed Otter says were uncovered during a dredging project.
People brought their lawn chairs to sit and the shade and enjoy traditional shanties.
This vendor displays wares with a nautical theme.
Owen Payette McGarry applies a hand-poked tattoo to Valerie Parks.
Terry Mansberger serves up cold brews at the Sussex Tavern.

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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.

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