HONORARY GRAND MARSHAL – WARREN GOLDE, LEWES IN BLOOM FOUNDER

This year’s annual Lewes Christmas parade, presented by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, takes place on December 6, 2025 at 5 p.m. (Rain/Snow Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025 at the same time.) The parade’s themes are “Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Christmas and America’s 250th .” The parade organizing committee is co-chaired by Craig Beebe, NextHome Tomorrow Realty and G.W. Thompson, Nerds to Go.

The parade organizing committee has selected Warren Golde as this year’s Honorary Grand Marshal in recognition of his founding Lewes in Bloom 24 years ago and for his many years of beautifying Lewes in public gardens and in the historic commercial district surrounding Second Street. Warren was inspired to create the organization after a trip to England where he admired all the hanging baskets and plantings, He knew that Lewes Delaware could benefit from these new initiatives. What started with seven volunteers and a few planters in the commercial areas on both sides of the canal has now expanded to more than 500 Lewes in Bloom members with plantings in 27 gardens. Although he and his wife Jane Ellan will be moving out of state soon, he plans to return during Lewes’ annual Tulip Celebration in April 2026 to see the tulips that will soon be planted this fall by Lewes in Bloom volunteers with Warren’s continued oversight!

Jim Smith, Delmarva Power and on the Lewes Chamber Board of Directors and Mike DiPaolo, Delaware Community Foundation will reprise their roles as parade co-announcers. Prizes are awarded in a number of categories. The other prize categories are: Marching Group, Band, Clown, Equestrian, Decorated Classic Car (vintage 1967 or older), Decorated Vehicle (after 1967 or more recent), Fire Company, Commercial Float, Community Organization Float and Youth Organization Float.

After the parade, everyone is invited to join Mayor Amy Marasco as she officially illuminates the Christmas tree in Zwaanendael Park followed by candlelight caroling in the park, led by Christy Taylor with some of her music students. The tree lighting ceremony will commence shortly after the last parade entry passes by the Judges’ Reviewing Stand in Zwaanendael Park.

The Christmas Parade is the culmination of a number of special events and activities associated with the celebration of the Christmas Weekend in Historic Lewes. The festivities kick off on Thursday, December 4 with the Lewes Merchants’ 38th annual Hospitality Night from 5-8 p.m. in the historic commercial district. Second Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 3 – 8 p.m. on Thursday night. Santa will make a brief visit that evening to his Lewes house at the corner of Second and Bank Streets.

There are numerous other activities throughout the Lewes area associated with the holiday weekend celebrations. Visit the chamber’s website: www.leweschamber.com/events.

The chamber’s visitor center is open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and will be open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 6.