Lewes Tulip Celebration Celebrating our Dutch Heritage   

The 14th  annual Lewes Tulip Celebration, jointly sponsored by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Lewes in Bloom, will be blossoming April 1 – 16, 2023. The organizing committee is chaired by event founder and former Lewes Mayor Ted Becker, and includes the Lewes in Bloom co-chairs and founder, a representative from City of Lewes Parks and Recreation Commission, the Lewes Historical Society and the Zwaanendael Museum. This year Lewes in Bloom funded the purchase of 32,000 tulips and spring bulbs that were planted in fall 2022 by members of Lewes in Bloom.

The timing of the tulips’ appearance is an inexact science and either milder or colder weather in advance of the event dates can increase the probability that the dates of the celebration may not exactly coincide with the tulips blooming! The event dates (April 1-16) span three weekends.  The locations of the plantings are identified on the map produced in association with the celebration. More than 100 varieties will be on display. (Find a link to the Tulip Map at the end of the next paragraph).

Tiptoe To The Tulips Map: The event organizers created the Tiptoe To The Tulips Map that will be available in late March at the Lewes Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center located in the historic Fisher-Martin House in Zwaanendael Park. The visitor center is open Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Copies of the map will be available at brochure boxes throughout the historic commercial district. The map lists more than 20 locations where the bulbs were planted. It also has a schedule of activities associated with the Tulip Celebration.
DOWNLOAD TULIP CELEBRATION MAP

DOWNLOAD TULIP CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES

Tulip Sale: On April 7 & 8 Lewes in Bloom will be selling tulips at the Bank Street Plaza on Second Street from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (or until they sell out).
History in Bloom Walking Tours: The Lewes Historical Society and Lewes in Bloom are partnering to offer walking tours on April 1 & 2 at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.  The tours will be led by a historic guide and will provide information on Lewes’ rich maritime history.  A knowledgeable guide from Lewes in Bloom will be on the tour to point out the multiple tulip varieties found around Lewes.  The tours begin at the Cannonball House’s back garden, behind 118 Front Street. The tour cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. Purchase tickets at www.historiclewes.org/visit/tours/html.
Floral demonstrations and tulip sales: Ken Norman, owner/designer at Floral Inspirations, located on the beach side of the canal at 524 E. Savannah Road, in the shops under the Beacon Motel, will be hosting demonstrations on Friday and Saturday, April 7 & 8 from 1 – 3 p.m. He’ll be showcasing several different varieties of tulips and demonstrate how to arrange them-simple to more creative.
Spring Geranium Sale: Benefits the GFWC Zwaanendael Women’s Club’s Community Service Programs. They are taking orders from March 15 until April 15 with pick up on Friday,  May 5 at Lewes in Bloom’s Warehouse at 217 Schley Avenue, Lewes. $7 per 6” pot – bright pink, white, red and salmon. Email orders to mRocksRN@comcast.net or checks payable to Z Club, mailed to P.O. Box 100, Lewes, DE 19958.
Tulip arrangements, Art Exhibitions and other special events: There are additional activities associated with the Tulip Celebration including tulip arrangements by the Sussex Gardeners on display in the Zwaanendael Museum. On April 8 at 2 p.m., the museum is hosting “Dutch Poetry in the Park” – an outdoor poetry reading and interpretation of Spurring Verses detailing the 1662 Dutch settlement.  A tulip-themed art exhibition and painting demonstrations at the Cape Artists of Lewes Gallery, located at 110 W. Third Street, will take place at their Open House on April 1 from 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.  Additionally, plein air artists from the Cape Artists will be painting at locations around town. “Feathered Friends,” an art exhibition opening at the Peninsula Gallery at 520 E. Savannah Road will feature bird portraits from 11 juried artists.  The exhibition runs from April 1 – 30. The opening reception is April 1 from 5-6:30 p.m. Visit the chamber’s website for other chamber member-sponsored events taking place during the Tulip Celebration. www.LewesChamber.com.