Return Day Returns to Georgetown
Shrouded in controversy over Georgetown’s embrace of the confederate flag, “Return Day” is back.
For the first time since 2018, a post-Election Day parade of the victorious and vanquished will take place in downstate Delaware – this year, with a hint of discord even as Return Day honors the tradition of letting bygones be bygones.
Return Day is a state holiday, but only in Sussex County. It features a parade, official reading of the Sussex County election results, the ceremonial burying of the hatchet in a vat of sand and roasting of an ox for complimentary pit beef sandwiches for the crowd.
Return Day was scaled down dramatically in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The parade starts at 1:30. Other events include:
9 a.m., Mayor’s Hatchet Toss, Old Courthouse, 10 S. Bedford St.
9:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. – Entertainment, main stage and Return Day stage, The Circle
1:30 p.m. – Return Day Parade (Sussex Central Middle School to W. Market St. to King St. to E. Pine St., back to school
Following the parade, the Sheriff of Sussex County certifies the election results, a Town Crier reads the election results, and food and festivities continue.
For more information please visit https://www.returnday.com/
Two things about WDEL’s coverage. 1) Vat of sand? uh? and 2) “this year, with a hint of discord ” is carrying a lot of baggage.
On the question of whether or not Democrats should take part, I’m an easy no. It is a relic of the worst kind of Delaware way bullshit.
Agreed. When Republicans “buried the hatchet” each year, at some point they no longer meant it, so Dems are suckers to participate. Plus the Confederate thing.
That’s why I am proud to be a Democrat. Such gracious winners- Sounds a lot like the election denier, Putin lover Republican Ron Johnson
Dems aren’t riding in the carriages….they’re riding in convertibles, from what I’ve been told.
Piss on it, will be glad to contribute. As noted yet another bit of the hated “Delaware Way” that equates to bad follows worse.