Now no day embodies this reality here more than July 4. As Miss C'd say: it is so adorable.
The day kicks off around 9:00 a.m. with the Old Fashioned Children's Games:
We shut down Second Street and let kids loose on it for the entire
morning to do every manner of goofy game - sack races, ice-block pushing
- there even used to be a greased pole contest, but I think that had to
be ca-bashed with the new streetscape a few years back. It's a blast and a half for everyone - the families who participate and those of us who just show up to goof on it.
(An Aside: For years, the event was run by Larry McLaughlin and Gilbert Holt - two City of Lewes employees [Larry ran the Streets Department and Gilbert was at the Board of Public Works]:
They both loved the tradition and were fantastic about making it fun for us all - giving selflessly of their time and energy to bring it to life. Tragically, Larry was killed in an accident on the evening of July 4, 2010, and we mourned the loss of Gilbert this past year. Because of their efforts, the games are a tradition that is strong enough to survive their loss, but I can't help but feel a little bittersweet at the remembrance of them today.)
The next big thing is the boat parade down at the dock at 2:00 p.m.:
It's typically a whole lotta flags and a whole lotta waitin', but it's a whole lotta fun, too!
And then, late in the afternoon - at an -ish-ish kinda time around 5:30-ish, the most un-grandish of traditions commences - the Doo-Dah Parade:
Everybody and their dog (literally) shows up to be part of this ad hoc parade, that legend has it started as an adult beverage run from the Shockley's. The parade sports everything from the most organized of organizations to the last-minute-inspired-by-the-small-town-Americana-spirit visitor. It has become one of the most beloved of traditions for it's untraditional traditionalness. We love it.
So come on down to Lewes and get your own heapin' helpin' of Americana (and a little glass of somethin' while Doo Dah-ing with us this afternoon at biblion)!
Vive la Independence!
Amok! Amok! Amok! - Jenny
P.S. And a couple perfect doses of that Americana tradition to close . . .
Well, this year's kids' games were a hoot-and-a-half, as usual - only witnessed two melt downs; the reports in from the boat parade were happy; and the Doo Dah crowd - both on and off the parade route - was blissful (though the asphalt was too darn hot for the dogs [and some of the rest of us] by then). Favorite float/character: The Surreal Benjamin Franklin - he rocked and sorta scared us (I'm thinkin' that Grace is gonna have nightmares). Favorite group: The Twirling Ladies of The Historic Lewes Farmers Market - some were pretty darn impressive twirlers - some just wiggled, which was entertaining, too! Now it's out to dinner and off to watch possibly-intoxicated people set off fireworks at Lewes Beach. Vive la independence! - Jenny
ReplyDeleteOkay, I realize that it's totally goofy to "comment" here myself, but I found out at dinner time that Miss C had a different vote for best group - she, though she loves her colleagues at the farmers market, loved The Avengers more.
ReplyDeleteSplit decision - thank you, Bonnie Raitt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuWfvdtGNsk.