A Lewes Christmas in 1996
The Christmas season is always festive in the Cape Region, particularly in Lewes. The First Town annually hosts a long-lasting parade featuring floats from dozens of local organizations, walkers from all over the community and fire trucks from all reaches of Sussex County. That event, which is held the first Saturday in December, concludes with a tree-lighting ceremony and caroling in Zwaanendael Park.
It’s all part of a busy holiday weekend that also features house tour hosted by the Lewes Historical Society and hospitality night, when downtown merchants stay open late and invite residents and visitors to congregate on Second Street. In recent years, the city has also welcomed Santa to town via the Cape Water Taxi. The new tradition brings St. Nick ashore at the City Dock, where he is greeted by a crowd and escorted to his home on Second Street.
Lewes’ Christmas traditions are longstanding, dating back decades. In the above photograph from 1996, Catherine Park, Tara Abbott and Nicole Wise, all of Nassau, sing carols at the Lewes tree-lighting ceremony. At right, Julie Sing, 4, of Lewes plays at the tree-lighting and caroling event.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and building pages, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
