Return Day
Return Day is a celebration held two days following Election Day in the little town of Georgetown, Delaware.
It is a tradition that dates back to 1791, when Georgetown became the place everyone voted in Sussex County, Delaware. The whole county’s population had to travel to Georgetown to vote, and then two days later when results were counted, “return” to find out what had happened.
Later, smaller voting districts were established in Sussex County, but the results were still announced from Georgetown. Today, TV, Internet, and other rapid-pace communications eliminate the need for a two-day wait to discover the election results. Thus, there really is no need for Return Day anymore, except as an excuse for having a good time!
On Return Day, great crowds gather in Georgetown to take part in the festivities. There’s always a music concert, a free-to-eat ox roast, various contests to test your skills at, and a parade. Actually, there is both a winner’s and a loser’s parade, with both candidates riding around in a circle in a horse and buggy and finishing up with a ceremonial burying of the hatchet event.
Previous Years
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday | States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 Nov | Thu | Return Day | DE |
| 2018 | 8 Nov | Thu | Return Day | DE |