2024 Lewes Maritime Day

Celebrate America's Proud Maritime History! And Sail on the AJ Meerwald

WHAT: 2024 Lewes Maritime Day

WHEN: Saturday, May, 18, 2024 | 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

WHERE: Canalfront Park, 219 Pilottown Road, Lewes, DE (Get Directions)
(NOTE: This event is now held at Canalfront Park, not at the Lewes Ferry Terminal.)

Experience and celebrate maritime history and its impact on the region at the annual Lewes Maritime Day celebration at the Lightship Overfalls and Canalfront Park on Saturday, May 18, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lewes, known as the First Town in the First State, enjoys a heritage that is rich in both its maritime history and its current maritime interests.

Sail aboard AJ Meerwald from the Lewes waterfront and/or on a History Happened Here Cruise. Journey back through the centuries with Cape Water Taxi into Lewes' maritime past. See TICKETED EVENTS below for more information. 

Co-organized by the Cape May – Lewes Ferry and the Overfalls Foundation, supported by the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Lewes.

Sponsored by Freedom Boat Club, the Lewes Historical Society, Beach Flooring Designs, Groome Church, and Henlopen Bait & Tackle. 

This celebration includes maritime exhibits and demonstrations, boat rides and vessel tours, and other activities. It is free for children and the young at heart.

Open to the Public - Maritime Day is Free of Charge

Schedule of Events:

For Saturday, May 18th during the 2024 Maritime Day Celebration:

8:45 a.m. - TICKETED EVENT - History Happens Here Cruise on Cape Water Taxi

10:00 a.m. - Remembrance Ceremony - Remarks by local dignitaries and LT Danielle Taylor of U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Lewes.  Wreath Laying Ceremony to remember local mariners and members of the Overfalls Lightship who have passed.

11:00 am – 2:00 pm – Exhibitions, Demonstrations, Boat Tours and Boat Rides.

An additional sailing is offered on Sunday May 19th:

10:00 am – TICKETED EVENT – Public Sail aboard the A.J. Meerwald, a 1928 restored dredging oyster schooner.
 

Some of the Exhibitors at Maritime Day:

• USCG and auxiliary
• Military Sealift Command 
• The Lewes Yacht Club
• The Lewes Historical Society (SPONSOR)
• Freedom Boat Club (SPONSOR)
• Sailing Vessel A.J. Meerwald
• Cape Water Taxi
• The Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation 
• The Pirates of Lewes
• The Delaware River and Bay Pilots 
• The Zwaanendael Museum
• The University of Delaware College of Marine Studies
• The MERR Institute 
• The New Hope Canoe Club
• The Cape May Lewes Ferry
• YMCA of Delaware - Sussex Family | Rehoboth Beach
• Lewes Fire Department Vessel
• Sea Scout Ship 198
• Quest Adventures
• and others.

Grandpa Macs will be onsite to provide replenishment.

Ticketed Events:

SAIL ON NEW JERSEY'S OWN TALL SHIP: Sail aboard AJ Meerwald from the Lewes waterfront. Tickets are $50 and you are invited to bring your own snacks and beverages aboard. Buy tickets here.

HISTORY HAPPENED HERE CRUISE: Journey back in time into Lewes' maritime past through the centuries. Visit Cape Water Taxi for more information and to book tickets.  Be captivated by an experienced and knowledgeable Lewes Historical Society guide aboard a Cape Water Tours' vessel for a cruise along the Lewes Canal.