Lewes is a year-round destination for relaxation, dining, history and all kinds of fun around the bay and ocean, but it’s especially beautiful and charming during the winter holidays. Downtown is festooned with old-timey yuletide decorations; restaurants welcome diners with upscale comfort foods, and shoppers stroll along quaint streets to find all kinds of unique gifts. Meanwhile, people are making plans for one of the most popular events – the annual Christmas Parade.
It happens this Saturday, December 7th, at 5 p.m. and travels east from Savannah Road to Second and Market Streets. The theme is “Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Christmas in Lewes,” so you can count on colorful floats with historical themes, showboat floats from talented artisans who must spend most of the year planning, and, at the very end Santa, and a few friends wishing everyone a wonderful season.
We’re especially excited since the parade route runs right in front of our home and office. But wherever you live, you won’t have to drive too far to experience a similar parade near you – in fact you may have already joined fellow revelers at events in Clayton, Millsboro, Milton and Rehoboth. But there are more on the way. Here are a few highlights:
In Georgetown, the big event is this Thursday, December 5th, with Caroling on the Circle, followed by a tree lighting and the parade that begins at 7 p.m. There will be lots of food and beverage vendors, festive floats, and perhaps a few folks in colonial costumes. Get the details at www.georgetowncoc.com.
In Selbyville, the fun kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday, December 6th, with a parade traveling down West Church Street, beginning at Railroad Avenue and ending at Main Street. You can enjoy it with your family as a spectator, but lots of entrants will compete for awards in various categories. For details visit www.bethany-fenwick.org.
Friday, December 6th is also the date of Laurel’s parade, which begins at 6 p.m. at Evergreen Drive and goes north on Central Avenue to Maryland Avenue. Learn more at www.townoflaurel.net.
Also on December 6th, Harrington will celebrate its agricultural heritage with “A Farmer’s Christmas” parade, beginning at 7 p.m. It starts on Delaware Avenue and proceeds down East Center Street and onto Dorman, Commerce, and Clark Streets to culminate at the Harrington Fire Department. Get the details at www.harrington.delaware.com.
Saturday, December 7th is the biggest day for Christmas pageantry. In addition to the Lewes parade there are big events in Middletown at 10 a.m. (www.downtownmiddletownde.com), Claymont at 10 a.m. (www.claymontchristmasparade.com), Ocean City at 11 a.m. (www.oceancitymd.com) , Delmar at 2 p.m. (www.delmar-chamberofcommerce.com), Camden-Wyoming at 6 p.m. (www.wyoming.delaware.gov) and Seaford at 7 p.m. (www.seafordde.com).
Dagsboro’s Christmas Parade happens at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10th. And starts on Main Street near Indian River High School. Get the details at www.dagsboro.delaware.gov.
In Bridgeville, the revelry takes off on Saturday, December 14th at 6 p.m. beginning at Market Street and Railroad Avenue, with floats and awards. Learn more at www.bridgeville.delaware.gov.
In Dover, our state capital, the parade will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 14th. Get the details at https://www.facebook.com/dashingthroughdover/.
A country Christmas in Felton wouldn’t be complete without its parade, taking place at 7 pm. on Friday, December 20th at Odd Fellows Park. Visit www.felton.delaware.gov for details.