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Christmas parade lights up Lewes

Tree lighting kicks off festive season for Lewes250
Santa Claus makes a triumphant arrival on a Lewes fire truck at the 93rd annual Lewes Christmas parade Dec. 6. There were 96 entries in this year’s march down Savannah Road. BILL SHULL PHOTOS
Bill Shull
December 8, 2025

The 93rd annual Lewes Christmas parade brought a huge crowd to Savannah Road and Second Street Dec. 6.

The parade is presented by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce. There were 96 entries in this year’s march, including classic cars, horses, brightly lit floats and, of course, Santa Claus.

Warren Golde, founder of Lewes in Bloom, served as the grand marshal. Golde is retiring from his role leading the all-volunteer garden group.

The full list of parade winners can be found at leweschamber.com.

Following the parade, people gathered for the lighting of the city Christmas tree in Zwaanendael Park. The ceremony was also the kickoff to the Lewes 250 celebration.

“As a surprise to the community, the tree is lit with red, white and blue, as we officially welcome the semiquincentennial, America’s 250 birthday,” said Mayor Amy Marasco.

The city planted its forever Christmas tree in the park last year, choosing to decorate the same tree every year instead of cutting down a new one annually.

Lewes 250 will also be featured at the annual New Year’s Eve anchor drop at the Lightship Overfalls and will be part of the national bell ringing in Zwaanendael Park on New Year’s Day. 

For more information, go to lewes250.com.

 

 

Warren Golde, founder of Lewes in Bloom, serves as the grand marshal. Golde is retiring from his role at the local garden group.
Betsy Ross sews the first American flag on a float celebrating Lewes 250 from the Lewes Historic Preservation Architectural Review Commission. As the sign says, the group is responsible for preserving the fabric of Lewes.
Lewes Police Chief Tom Spell gives Mayor Amy Marasco a lift down the parade route.
The Cape Henlopen High School JROTC marches at the front of the parade.
The Lightship Overfalls is represented by its historic Monomoy lifeboat.
Bogey enjoys his ride in a 1948 Plymouth, owned by James Mitchell.
Fern Kluchnik rides on the Delmarva Pack 1 Cub Scouts entry.
Elle Williams, left, and Ella Grunstra have fun along the parade route.
Performers from the McAleer-Paulson School of Irish Dance perform for the judges.
A classic truck from the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Department.
Atlantic Refrigeration & Air Conditioning and Clendaniel’s Plumbing light up the parade with this colorful Christmas light display and artificial snow. They won first place in the commercial entry category.
A large Santa Claus enjoys his ride on the back of a classic Ford Mustang decked out for the holidays.
The New Hope Canoe Club Ministry Team Atlantic knew they were going to need a bigger boat and trailer for the “Jaws” tribute. The shark is gracing the front of one of their outrigger canoes.
The Delaware River and Bay Authority brings a much smaller version of the ferry to the parade.
Aloft AeroArchitects from Delaware Coastal Airport keeps Santa in the air on an aviation-themed float.
Meineke Care Care Center’s rocket car makes the turn onto Second Street.
Tegan and Carter Denuys are bundled up, but have a front-row seat for the parade.
Some historic figures grace the hood of a 1974 Triumph from the British Car Club.
Phyllis Hoag, left, watches the action on Savannah Road. She said she comes to the parade every year.
Sea Scouts Ship 198 brings a boat and fake snow.
Sandy Ahn, left, and Jill Shull carry the banner for Humane Animal Partners in Rehoboth Beach. Volunteers brought dogs that are looking for their forever homes.
Hailey Mack, Miss Delaware 2025, waves to the crowd on Savannah Road.
The Cape Gazette Winter Wonderland float features Christmas trees, a snowman and a lighthouse all made from recycled newspaper pages. The float won second place in the commercial entry category.
Horses from Pairadice Equestrian walk down Savannah Road.
Lewes Rehoboth Rotary President Janine Fitzgerald and Interact Youth Club President Isabella Carroll ride in a 1966 Plymouth Fury.
The corner of Second and Savannah is a prime viewing spot for (l-r) Frankie Lord, Lyndon Ford and Lucy Lord and their family.
The holiday lights reflect on the Rehoboth Beach Volunteer Fire Department’s ladder truck.
The judges and emcees watch the parade from their stand in Zwaanendael Park. Shown are (l-r) judges Tony Boyd-Heron, Rodney Robinson and Sue Crawford, and emcees Mike DiPaolo and Jim Smith.
Christmas trees courtesy of Graulich Builders.
The Fisherman’s Wharf’s float turns down Second Street.
One of the best seats for the parade is on the balcony of Clean Cut Pavers & Pools.
Lewes Lights organizers Debra and Paul Evalds promote the sixth annual event. Go to leweslights.org for details.
The Cape Henlopen High School band performs in front of the judge’s stand on Savannah Road.
This year, the Lewes Christmas tree has red, white and blue lights, and serves as a symbol of the Lewes 250 celebration that is already underway.
The granddaughters of Lewes Councilman Joe Elder flip the big switch to the light the City of Lewes Christmas tree Dec. 6.
The Christy Taylor Music studio leads the caroling after the tree lighting.

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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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