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Annual Night Out brings community together in Lewes

Police, firefighters, food and fun fill Smith Park
Caleb Salmon of Herndon, Va., looks out of a Lewes fire truck during Night Out Aug. 5. The annual celebration in George H.P. Smith Park allows citizens to interact with local law enforcement, first responders and city leaders. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
August 7, 2025

All it takes is one direct hit, and splash!

Lewes Police officer Nick Yatsko found out the hard way as one of the victims in the dunk tank at the Lewes Night Out celebration Aug. 5.

The annual event aims to make a splash with the whole community as well.

More than 20 vendors, including law enforcement and first responders, filled George H.P. Smith Park.

It’s an opportunity for citizens to interact with police officers, firefighters, the Coast Guard and members of city government.

Jim Hampson of Lewes brought young relatives to enjoy the evening and maybe learn something new.

“Last time, we did the fentanyl training and the recycling. We really liked it. It’s nice to know what’s around,” Hampson said.

Lewes Police officers manned the grill, cooking up burgers and hot dogs. Mission BBQ from Rehoboth Beach also handed out free samples.

The Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee held a bike rodeo to teach safety to young riders, with the help of the Lewes Beach Patrol.

Members of Sussex County EMS taught young people how to do CPR.

 

Thomas Keener, left, learns CPR from Glenn Marshall of Sussex County EMS.
The commanders of three local agencies stop for a photo during Night Out. Shown are (l-r) Chief Tom Spell, Lewes Police Department; John Crow, commanding officer of Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Lewes; and Robbie Stephens, newly elected Lewes fire chief.
Catherine Flaherty of Copy Cat Paint Parties, left, paints Elias Sanchez.
The Lewes Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee held a bike rodeo to teach safety to young riders, with help from the Lewes Beach Patrol. Shown are (l-r) Mary Roth, bike committee chair; Knox Brown; Eric Lewis, Lewes Beach Patrol; and Lt. Matt McDonough, Lewes Beach Patrol.
Lewes police officer Nick Yatsko, already drenched in the dunk tank, looks on with anticipation as another ball heads for the plunger.
Lewes Councilwoman Trina Brown-Hicks talks with a representative from the Delaware Office of Highway Safety.
McGruff the Crime Dog is a popular visitor to Night Out. He is seen here with Weldon Hayward, Lewes Mayor Amy Marasco and Deputy Mayor Khalil Saliba.
Madeline Pasqueal gets a hat from Sr. Cpl. Patrick Jackson of the Delaware State Police. The Pasqueal family came from Long Neck to check out Lewes Night Out.
Lewes police officer Phillip Poorman mans the grill.
Retired magistrate Jim Horn, left, talks with Lt. Will Sullivan, middle, of the Rehoboth Beach Police Department.
Sgt. Travis Anderson stands with Cash of the Delaware Natural Resources Police Fish & Wildlife Unit.
The Lewes Fire Department Auxiliary is well represented by Jerri MacCoy, Pam Cook, Rob Dixon and Stephanie Talino.
Shelby Shockley, City of Lewes human resources manager, is on a roll.
Mission BBQ from Rehoboth Beach supports law enforcement and first responders.
Shown are (l-r) Andy Hickey, Mary Hickey and Diana Tydings of Service Dogs Saving Lives.
This Ford F-150 Lightning electric truck is a new vehicle for the Delaware Sate Police.
Lewes firefighter Joe Esposito shows off a truck during Night Out.

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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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