Return Day

Return Day in Georgetown is a truly unique Sussex County tradition that dates back about 230 years to 1792, a year after the county seat was moved from Lewes to the newly created town of Georgetown. At that time, Delaware law required all county voters to cast their ballots in the county seat.

It's about 230 years, because the first year is a best guess by historians. Others claim the event's origins date back to 1811.

In any case, organizers said it's the only such event in the country and has been a legal half-day holiday in Delaware since 1965.

Voters were required to cast their election ballots in Georgetown and then return two days later to hear the results, hence the name Return Day. The day quickly turned into a celebration. It's held every two years on the Thursday following the election – this year Nov. 5.