Firefighter Wally Evans named Lewes parade honorary marshal

The 91st annual Lewes Christmas parade, presented by the City of Lewes and the Lewes Chamber of Commerce, will step off at 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2, from Lewes Elementary School parking on Savannah Road. It will progress down Savannah to Second Street, ending in front of King’s Ice Cream shop. In case of inclement weather,  the parade will be held at the same time Saturday, Dec. 9.

Celebrating an Old-Fashioned Christmas in Lewes is the theme.

The parade organizing committee is co-chaired by Craig Beebe of NextHome Tomorrow Realty and G.W. Thompson of NerdsToGo. Reprising their roles as parade announcers will be Jim Smith of Delmarva Power, chamber board member, and Michael DiPaolo of the Delaware Community Foundation.

Wally Evans has been selected as this year’s honorary grand marshal. In 2024, he will begin his 50th year as a member of the Lewes Fire Department. During these five decades, the number of fire calls each year has increased from about 125 in 1984 to more than 900 per year. The growth in ambulance calls has been even more dramatic, from 300 calls in 1984 to more than 5,000 per year now. Evans has served 14 years as fire chief along with several stints as chief engineer, deputy fire chief and assistant chief. He currently chairs the ambulance purchasing committee, with two new units scheduled for delivery in 2024. He is also chairing the committee overseeing a million-dollar renovation of the fire department’s Station One on Savannah Road. Why has Evans dedicated his life to the fire service? He simply said, “I enjoy helping people.”

Prizes are awarded in a number of categories including one recognizing entrants that add an exceptional sound component to their entry. The other prize categories are: Marching Group, Band, Clown, Equestrian, Decorated Classic Car (vintage 1967 or older), Decorated Vehicle (1968 or more recent), Fire Company, Commercial Float, Community Organization Float and Youth Organization Float.

Parade entrants must register in advance; the deadline is Friday, Nov. 17. Preregistered entrants will receive their lineup times, numbers and instructions by mail the following week.

To register an entry, contact the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 302-645-8073 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday, or in person during the same hours at the visitor center, 120 Kings Highway, next to the Zwaanendael Museum in Zwaanendael Park.