Once again, it’s time to tiptoe through the tulips while celebrating Lewes’ historic roots. The city stands on land first settled by the Dutch in 1631. Since the tulip has been linked to Holland since the 16th century, the Lewes Chamber of Commerce debuted the Lewes Tulip Celebration 10 years ago, and each year volunteers have planted more bulbs than ever before.
This year’s milestone event blooms from April 5-14, to best capture the foliage. After all, timing a festival with a flowering plant is not an exact science, notes Betsy Reamer, president of the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.
Weather willing, the tulips are the star. In all, event partner Lewes in Bloom has planted more than 20,000 tulips of over 100 varieties in city parks and public locations, all identified on maps that can be picked up at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center
This year, Lewes in Bloom docents will be aboard shuttle tours that are coordinated with the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. The buses take passengers to all the key flowering areas as well as historic sites in the town.
 |
|
Photo by Cindy Albright |
The trolley tours take place on April 6 and 13 at 11:15 a.m., and 12:30 p.m. They depart from the Lewes Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center at 120 Kings Highway, next to the Zwaanendael Museum. The cost is $10 and seats are going fast, Reamer says. Call 645-8073 for more information.
Event partners also include Lewes Chamber restaurant members, who are participating in the third Lewes Two-Lips Culinary Week. Each restaurant will offer a Two-Lips special from Friday, April 5 to Thursday, April 11. Patrons who order the dish will fill out a raffle form for prizes. The grand prize is a two-night stay at the Dogfish Inn as well as gift certificates and merchandise from participating restaurants. Click here for the list of participating restaurants and specials.
Other events include:
- Photography, art and quilt exhibits
- Beekeeping
- Children’s activities
- Oyster festival
- Floral demonstrations
- Plein air painting
- Plant and flower sales
Many of the events take place in Zwaanendael Park and the Zwaanendael Museum. For more information, call 645-8073 or visit leweschamber.org.
