As the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th birthday, organizations throughout Sussex County and Delaware are gearing up for the historic milestone. A website called Lewes 250 has been created to help residents and visitors easily find information about upcoming events, while also highlighting the important role the region played in the nation’s founding.
Most Delawareans know that Delaware was the First State and that Lewes was the first town in the First State. But how many know the story behind those distinctions?
On June 15, 1776, the three southernmost counties of the Colony of Pennsylvania—later to become the State of Delaware—declared their independence from the British Crown. According to the Lewes 250 website, Delaware enacted its Declaration of Rights three months later. Delaware played a significant role in both the Revolutionary War and the constitutional process, becoming the first colony to ratify the U.S. Constitution and earning its designation as the “First State.”
Many of the events planned for America’s 250th anniversary are annual traditions, while others are unique to this historic celebration. One of the most popular events listed on the Lewes 250 website is the city’s fifth annual Juneteenth Celebration at George H.P. Smith Park. The event will take place on Saturday, June 27, from 1 to 6 p.m.
Billed as the signature event of Lewes 250, Stars Over Sussex promises a memorable waterfront evening featuring live music, food vendors, and a coordinated fireworks and drone light show over the Lewes waterfront. The event is scheduled from 5 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, July 2, at the Lewes Ferry Terminal.
The popular Fleetwood Mac tribute band Fleetwood Macked will perform as part of the Rocking the Docks summer concert series. The event is a collaboration among Rocking the Docks, Delaware 250, community organizations, and conservation supporters. While tickets are available for premium seating at the terminal building, the show can also be enjoyed from a variety of nearby viewing locations.
Another festive celebration is Go Fourth Lewes, which offers a full day of family-friendly activities on July 4. The schedule includes children’s games on Second Street beginning at 9 a.m., the Harbor Boat Parade, and an evening fireworks display. Additional details are available through the Lewes Chamber of Commerce.
For those looking for a different way to celebrate America 250, there is the annual Cape May Fireworks Cruise. Although participants must travel to Cape May to board, the excursion remains a popular Independence Day tradition. Cape May is recognized as America’s first seaside resort, and this year’s cruise is scheduled for July 4.
The Delaware Endless Discoveries website features a wide range of America 250 activities taking place throughout the state. In addition to event listings, the site offers fascinating historical information about Delaware’s role in the development of the United States.
The annual Dewey Beach Fourth of July fireworks display will once again light up the sky on Independence Day.
Rounding out the holiday weekend is the annual concert and fireworks celebration in Rehoboth Beach. Fireworks are scheduled to begin at 9:30 p.m. on July 5. Popular local band The Funsters will entertain the crowd before and after the display, beginning at 8 p.m.
The Lewes Historical Society, also known as Historic Lewes, is incorporating the America 250 theme into many of its ongoing programs and events, offering even more opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with the area’s rich history while celebrating the nation’s milestone anniversary.
By Mary Jo Tarallo, Resident Journalist
Mary Jo Tarallo spent much of her career in public relations with various non-profits and spent 40 years involved with the ski industry as a journalist, public relations director for a national trade association and as executive director of the Learn to Ski and Snowboard initiative. Prior to her ski industry involvement she worked for the Maryland International Center in Baltimore and United Way of Central Maryland. She won a Gold Award for TV programming for a United Way simulcast that starred Oprah Winfrey. She has been cited for her work by numerous organizations. Mary Jo grew up in Baltimore, attended the University of Maryland and Towson University, lived in Washington, DC for 21 years and has been a full time resident of Rehoboth Beach and Milton since May 2019.
Skip to content