Tulip celebration to herald springtime in Lewes April 1-20
The 16th annual Lewes Tulip Celebration, jointly sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Lewes in Bloom, will blossom from Tuesday, April 1 to Easter Sunday, April 20.
The organizing committee is chaired by Ed Zygmonski, Lewes in Bloom co-chair, and his two co-chairs, and representatives from the Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission, Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Historic Lewes.
This year, Lewes in Bloom funded the purchase of 31,000 tulip and 5,000 spring bulbs that were planted in fall 2024 by Lewes in Bloom member volunteers.
The timing of the tulips’ appearance is an inexact science, and either milder or colder weather in advance of the event dates can affect the tulips’ blooming stages. The event dates span three weekends, and more than 100 varieties will be on display. Because temperatures have been much colder this year, it is anticipated that peak will be Thursday, April 10, to Thursday, April 17, with the late-blooming varieties coming out after Easter.
The Tiptoe To The Tulips Map will be available in late March at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center in the historic Fisher-Martin House in Zwaanendael Park. The visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Maps will also be available at brochure boxes throughout the historic commercial district. The map lists more than 20 locations where bulbs were planted, and it also has a schedule of tulip celebration activities.
Lewes in Bloom will be selling tulips from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until they sell out, Friday and Saturday, April 18 and 19, at the Bank Street Plaza on Second Street.
Historic Lewes and Lewes in Bloom are partnering to offer walking tours at 10:30 a.m., and 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., Saturday, April 12. Tours will be led by historic guides and will provide information on Lewes’ rich maritime history. A knowledgeable guide from Lewes in Bloom will help point out the multiple tulip varieties found around the city. The tours begin at the Historic Lewes main campus at 110 Shipcarpenter St. To learn more, go to historiclewes.org.
