Sussex County Celebrates Return Day - WBOC-TV 16, Delmarvas News Leader, FOX 21 -

GEORGETOWN, Del.- Rival political candidates buried the hatchet Thursday in Sussex County's traditional Return Day ceremony.

The biannual Delaware event marks the end of the 2012 political campaign season. As part of tradition, rival candidates ride together in cars and carriages in a parade through Georgetown to end the election on amicable terms.

The major political parties literally bury a small hatchet in a box to symbolically settle their differences.

Vice President Joe Biden made a surprise visit to a morning reception but did not attend the parade or official ceremony. Biden's 2010 visit prompted an increase in security, which led to heavy criticism from visitors who had trouble reaching the festivities.

Organizers said Thursday's ceremony was the 200th Return Day, though the exact start date of the tradition is actually unclear.