GEORGETOWN, Del.- Back so soon? Return Day is back on November 5.
There will be no oxen roasting, or parading, or the usual crowds that line the streets. Instead, the two main festivities that the day is centered around will take place: the reading of the returns and the burying of the hatchet. Candidates in the election will not be invited to come to the event, but are more than welcome to if they would like.
Senator Brian Pettyjohn received many calls from people of Sussex County who asked for the tradition to be brought back, even if some activities had to be left out.
"Hearing from the people of Georgetown and actually Sussex County, the thought that Return Day especially given the very hyper-partisan environment that we are in right now in politics that we needed a return day to bury that hatchet literally and figuratively and move forward from the election season," Pettyjohn said.
Senator Pettyjohn said that he is not expecting a large crowd here on Return Day, but has been in touch with the Delaware Department of Public Health on COVID-19 safety guidelines. DPH says that they would not have to fill out a formal request unless they were expecting over 250 people. But, DPH will give general guidelines for the event.
An event that has so much history and meaning led by the hatchet being buried. Georgetown Mayor Bill West says that the burial will be more symbolic this year and thinks people need to improve their biased stances on politics.
"People are on an edge because of the way things are going on," West said. "It’s time for that to quit. It’s time for us to come together and start working for the people of the United States. We are not doing that. We are working for the parties. The parties have got to quit."
The Circle will be closed off from 8 AM to 4 PM on November 5, so those who want to hear the results and see the hatchet buried can do so. The organizers ask that you wear a mask and stay socially distant.
Despite Return Day not being as big of a celebration, it will serve its biggest purposes.