Chestertown Tea Party 2023

Chestertown Tea Party History

The First Act:

In 1767 in an effort to raise money for England by taxing the thirteen colonies, Parliament passed the Townsend Duties. The Townsend Duties placed taxes on several important items in the Colonial economy including paper, paint, lead, glass and tea. Reaction to the Townsend Duties in the thirteen colonies was so negative that on March 5, 1770, Parliament decided to repeal most of the duties, however, they decided that the tax on tea would remain.

As a result, many colonists refused to buy tea that came to America from England. Instead they smuggled in tea from other countries or made their own tea from local spices. Soon merchants in England began to lose money, especially the East India Company. In order to keep this company from going bankrupt, Parliament passed the Tea Act of 1773. For reasons ofeconomics and social liberty the colonists were outraged and the seeds of dissent began to grow in the New World.

On December 16, 1773, a group of angry rebels calling themselves the “Sons of Liberty” protested the Tea Act and disguised as Mohawk natives boarded three ships in Boston Harbor loaded with tea and proceeded to dump over 10,000 pounds of tea into the ocean. King George III reacted to the “tea party” by ordering the closing of the port of Boston.

While Boston’s was by far the most famous tea party that occurred in the colonies, it was only the first of many protests against the Tea Act that took place along the Atlantic Coast, including actions in Annapolis and Charleston, SC.

Resolved:

When news of the closing of the port of Boston reached the Chesapeake Bay port of Chester Town, on the Maryland’s Eastern Shore in the spring of 1774, town leaders called a meeting to discuss what actions should be taken. The local chapter of the “Sons of Liberty” boldly put forth a list of grievances, which became known as the “Chestertown Resolves”. These stated that it was unlawful to buy, sell, or drink tea shipped from England.

As the legend is told, shortly after these Resolves were printed, word came to the citizens that a ship in the local harbor, the brigantine Geddes, had come to port with a shipment of tea. On May 23, 1774, a small group of men (unlike their brethren in New England, in broad daylight and without Indian disguise) forcibly boarded the ship and threw its cargo into the Chester River. The “Resolves” are a matter of historic record, reported in the Maryland Gazette, but for the tossing of tea, no contemporary written historic account has been found, the earliest dates to the end of 19th century. Chestertown’s local oral tradition is very strong and passionate and Tea Party remains a major part of the town’s history and identity.

The events in Chester Town, as well as others, marked a turning point in relations between England and the thirteen colonies. After these “tea parties”, it was clear that the colonists were deeply committed to opposing taxes they viewed as unfair. The destruction of British tea was a defiant act against Parliament and King George and viewed by the Crown as treason. The once distinct and autonomous colonies became united under the resolution that they would not accept “taxation without representation” in any form, and that they were willing to act forcefully to protect that right.

Tea Party Today:

In late May of 1967 the citizens of Chestertown staged the first festival to commemorate the actions of their forefathers. The event that year was very small by current standards, but included a gala parade, a giant riverside barbeque and historic staging of the events of the fateful day.

With a few years off, the Tea Party Festival has continued every Memorial Day Weekend in earnest since the Bicentennial year of 1976. The current incarnation is showcased by a large colonial parade down High Street, featuring numerous fife and drum bands as well as marching Colonial and British Regiments.

Local civic clubs offer indigenous cuisine, craftsmen from around the country ply their wares while musicians, puppeteers, colonial actors and dancers entertain the crowds of as many as 10,000 until the first day culminates with the throng gathering on the bank of the Chester River to cheer for the historic reenactment of the “Storming of the Geddes” aboard the historic recreation of the Schooner Sultana witness the tossing of the cargo of tea.

Sunday the event moves to the waterfront of Wilmer Park with more vendors, an unorthodox & creative raft race and a bluegrass family hoedown for the whole family’s enjoyment.

In an era that has seen so many radical ‘tea party’ political movements, the historic pageant in the tiny hamlet stands apart as a genuine slice of Americana, whose only aspiration is to remind its community of its storied past and celebrate being good neighbors.

Street Closures:

The following Streets will be closed to traffic AND parking will be prohibited from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm, Saturday, May 27th for the Annual Chestertown Tea Party Festival

• High Street from Mill Street to the foot of High Street.

• Park Row from Cross Street to Spring Ave.

• Cross Street from the County Courthouse parking lot to Cannon St.

• Water Street from Maple Avenue to Cannon Street, with the exception of resident parking PRIOR to the start of the Festival.

• Queen Street from Maple Avenue to Cannon Street with the exception of resident parking PRIOR to the start of the Festival.

• Memorial Plaza, in front of the Court House, from Lawyers Row to Cross Street.

• Spring Street from Calvert Street to High Street.

We realize this is a huge imposition to our downtown residents. The Tea Party Festival committee would like to thank all residents for their contributions to the yearly success of the Festival.

No animals are allowed within the festival area.

*** Note: For the safety of our visitors NO vehicles can travel on the streets between 7:00am-7:00pm.

2023 Chestertown Tea Party

ANDY GODDARD

Grand Marshal

The Chestertown Tea Party Festival is pleased to announce that Andy Goddard is the 2023 Chestertown Tea Party Festival Grand Marshal.

Goddard fell in love with Chestertown when she arrived for a prospective student tour of Washington College. She owned and operated Andy’s for 20 plus years, a bar, restaurant and live music venue. A tireless promoter of all things local, once the business closed she directed her energy toward assisting with town events, advocating for sustainability, and stimulating downtown businesses. She currently serves on the Chestertown Tea Party Festival, the Chestertown Environmental Committee, Chestertown Jazz Festival and the Downtown Chestertown Association.

2023 FESTIVAL SPONSORS

CONTRIBUTORS Anonymous

Anthony’s Flowers and Landscaping, Inc

Scott Benson & Dean Carr

Chesapeake Bank and Trust Company

Chestertown Natural Foods

The Dixon Group

Eastern Shore Food Lab

Andrew Oros & Steve Clemons

Select Land & Homes Inc.

Valliant Wealth Strategies Raymond James

T.R. & Lizzy Lazo

VIP BEERFEST

Chester River Packet Company

Occasions Catering

WIFI SUPPORT

Kent County Commissioners

Town of Chestertown

Verizon GRANTS

Kent Cultural Alliance Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area

IN-KIND SUPPORT

Anthony’s Flowers & Landscaping

A Plus Sanitation, LLC

Butch Clark

Chester Sign Company

Delmarva Craft

Echo Hill Outdoor School

Kelly Distributors

Wendy Sand Eckel & Bob Roth

Mike Sosulski & Cori Crane

IN-KIND SUPPORT

Kornish

Redner’s Market, Inc.

Riverside Unique

SeeWorthy Gallery

Sultana Education Foundation

Sumner Hall

Washington College

WCTR Radio

Welcome to the Heritage Village

Step back in time at the Heritage Village and Military Encampment. Travel back to the 18th Century and chat with colonial artisans selling traditional handcrafted food and wares, Hear live music from the colonial era, and watch as expert artisans demonstrate period crafting techniques Visit a rope maker, a basket weaver, a seamstress, a woodworker, and more. New for 2023, learn about Native American cooking and try your hand at making 18th Century ice cream.

Make your way to the Custom House green on the Chester River and visit the camps of colonial and British troops. Learn about weapons, tactics, and life in the military during the revolution on both sides of the conflict. The British camp includes the 1st Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers, the 4th Company, Brigade of Guards, and the 1st Battalion of Maryland Loyalists. The colonial camp includes the 1st Delaware Regiment, the 1st Maryland Regiment, and Clotz’s Battalion of the Flying Camp.

As you wander through the Heritage Village, make sure to interact with Colonial historical figures such as Phillis Wheatley and Benjamin Banneker. Phillis Wheatley wrote a book of poems and became the first woman of African descent to be a published poet in the United States. Benjamin Banneker was a free Black man who owned a 100-acre farm near Baltimore, Maryland. Banneker was largely self-educated in astronomy and mathematics. His significant accomplishments include the successful prediction of a solar eclipse, publishing his own almanac, and the surveying of Washington, D.C.

Sumner Hall and Bookplate Host Authors during Tea Party Festival

Two children’s book authors will be in Chestertown during the Tea Party Festival this year.

On Friday, May 26, Sumner Hall (206 S Cross Street) will host a meet and greet for Gretchen Woelfle. author of Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence. This book is also the inspiration for Sumner Hall’s performance, Respect for Mumbet, at the Garfield Center for the Performing Arts the following day, Saturday, May 27 at 12:30 PM.

Saturday, May 27, at the Bookplate, 112 S Cross Street, local middle grade author Aggie L. Jae will be signing copies of her book, “The Water Door”, from 10 am to 3 pm, while sharing samples of her homemade tea from the story! Recipes included in each book purchase. Author Website: https://thewaterdoor.com/

BeerFest

The Chestertown Tea Party Festival is excited to welcome back the Tea Party BeerFest on Sunday, May 28th, 2023 at Wilmer Park!

This year’s event will include two ticket levels: The VIP ticket and the General Admission ticket. This year we will have nine regional breweries attending. Each with a variety of beers, and some being poured by brewery representatives.

The VIP ticket includes a cruise aboard the Chester River Packet Co. with the BREWMASTER from Ten Eyck Brewing Company. You will be able to enjoy limited release beer from Ten Eyck. In addition, food will provided by Occasions Catering and a ticket to the BeerFest (will start once the boat docks back in Chestertown). The ticket is $100.

The General Admission tickets includes unlimited 5oz beer pours and the ticket is $45.

Wilson Springs Hotel will provide the festival’s entertainment. Scan the QR code to buy your ticket(s).

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Main Stage and Foot of High Street Performances

The Chestertown Tea Party Festival is please to announce the return of the United States Navy Band Country Current, the Navy’s premier country-bluegrass ensemble, as the featured act on the Main Stage. This year there will be an additional small stage at the Foot of High Street.

Main Stage performances include the popular Dover English Country Dancers, 11:15 AM in front of the Main Stage and again at 12:30 pm at the Courthouse Portico.

At Noon, don’t miss the Garnet Tiger Chorus, Tiger Bucket Band, made up of 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students from Henry Highland Garnet Elementary School. They have performed around the community including as part of the opening act for the Baltimore Symphony and at Dickens of a Christmas Festival.

The Country Current will begin at 12:45. Nationally renowned for their versatility and “eye-popping” musicianship, they perform a blend of modern country music and cuttingedge bluegrass. This seven-member ensemble employs musicians from diverse backgrounds with extensive high-profile recording and touring experience in the music scenes of Nashville, New York, New Orleans and more. In the tradition of country music, each member is a skilled performer on multiple instruments.

At the Foot of High Street Stage, The Jolly Tars, will do two shows, 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM. Their rousing sea chanties featuring banjo and guitar transport audiences back to the days of wooden ships and iron men! Local favorite Chris Cerino will entertain with musical portraits of Kent County along with some classics at 12:15 PM. Following Chris at 1:00 PM is virtuoso musician Stephen Christoff. A longtime traditional Tea Party Festival performer, he plays an astounding variety of colonial instruments.

For the full schedule of events please visit https://www.chestertownteaparty.org/maps-schedule/

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

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227 1/2 High Street

Chestertown, MD 21620

Office: 410-810-0010

Chestertown, MD 21620 410-810-0010

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This delightful custom built home, perfectly situated at the ‘quiet end’ of Queen Street with inviting porches, is only one block to the Marina, downtown Farmers Market on Saturdays, restaurants/shops, and overlooks Wilmer Park, with the Chester River beyond. This home was newly constructed in 2006, on the original footprint of an older historic home. Living room with a wood burning fireplace, cozy dining room or extended living room, and a pristine kitchen. There’s a main level laundry offered and then what could be a Primary Bedroom at the back of the house (with a full bath),is currently used as a family room. Throughout the house are very ample, oversized closet spaces and plantation shutters. Staircase to the floored attic that allows plenty of room for all your additional storage needs. On the second floor you have the option for a very spacious primary bedroom at the back of the house and an additional 2 rooms which have been a guest room and office.Very tastefully done. Come feel the ease of a well built, custom built, low maintenance home that has been well taken care of.

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“We are the key to your home buying and selling success”

Tea Party Parade Saturday, May 27, 10 AM

Don’t miss the kick off to Saturday’s events with the Chestertown Tea Party Festival Colonial Parade on Saturday, May 27, 2023 beginning at 10 AM. The parade originates at Lynchburg Street, making its way down High Street and through the festival area, before ending at Water Street. Come see reenactors, floats, marching units, and bands from near and far - all celebrating with colonial flair Chestertown’s opposition to British tea!

Festival attendees will see floats from parade regulars Chestertown Christian Academy and ShoreRivers, as well as new entries from Wildly Native and the Kent County YMCA. Tap your feet to the beat of the music of parade favorite marching bands from Kent County High School, and Queen Anne’s County High School. Other musical highlights include the Chesapeake Caledonian Pipes & Drums, Monumental City Ancient Fife & Drums, and making their Chestertown Tea Party Festival debut in 2023 - The Washington Scottish Pipe Band.

Whether you are cheering on the colonial revolutionists or sounding a huzzah to British regulars, the Chestertown Tea Party Festival Colonial Parade is a must see of

the festival weekend. The Chestertown Tea Party Festival thanks Brampton Inn for sponsoring this year’s parade.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

The 43rd annual Chestertown Tea Party Festival kicks off with the Block Party, hosted by Main Street Chestertown on Friday, May 26 from 5-9pm. Held at the Foot of High Street, the Block Party will feature Philadelphia’s renown THE LEFT EDGE band and include food trucks, children’s activities, and more.

THE LEFT EDGE’S performances are a musical journey through time, taking you through the 50’s, 60’s 70’s and beyond, even the “One hit wonders” are not forgotten.As seasoned musicians,THE LEFT EDGE presents a professional level of very danceable music, enjoyable entertainment and fun. Featured food vendors for the event are Chester River Spicerie, Kitchen’s Open Morning Noon and Nite, Papa Smurf’s, Walker Family, BBQ Bueno, and Occasions Catering.

Tea Party Festival Kids Stuff!

Saturday, May 27, 2023

10:00 AM COLONIAL PARADE High Street

10:30 AM KidSPOT Crafts for young children until Noon

11:00 AM Old Fashioned Colonial Games for Children until 3 pm

Facepainting until 3 pm

Slim Harrison and Rock Candy Cloggers–

Children’s participatory Jug Band & clogging workshop

11:30 AM Tucker’s Tales Puppet Show

Punch & Judy Puppet Show

1:00 PM Tucker’s Tales Puppet Show

Punch & Judy Puppet Show

Courthouse Lawn

Courthouse Lawn

Looking for family friendly fun? On Saturday, May 27th, there is plenty for kids once the Chestertown Tea Party parade is over.

Levram the Great, colonial magician to Kings and Queens will be performing two shows at the Garfield Center for the Arts. Times are 11:00 AM and 1:15 PM.

Courthouse Lawn

Courthouse Lawn

Courthouse Portico

KidSPOT will be offering crafts from 10:30 to 12:30, there will be old fashioned colonial games to try. Families can settle down on a blanket under the trees and listen to storytelling with Miss Jackie - occurring at 1:30.

The Tea Party Festival is offering free facepainting from 11 AM on.

Courthouse Lawn

Also at 11 AM, Slim Harrison and Rock Candy Cloggers will have a clogging workshop and children can participate in a jug band.

Tuckers Tales returns with their popular Punch and Judy show at 11:30 and again at 1:00.

1:30 PM Miss Jackie Storytelling for children Courthouse Lawn

2:00 PM TEA PARTY RE-ENACTMENT

Sunday, May 28, 2023

12:00 PM Tucker’s Tales Puppet Show - It’s The Wolf!

12:30 PM Slim Harrison Children’s Instrument Making

1:00 PM Tucker’s Tales Puppet Show - It’s The Wolf!

1:30 PM

Slim Harrison Children’s Participatory Jug Band & Hootenany

High St. in front of the Main Stage

Sunday afternoon in Wilmer Park there will be a different puppet show- It’s the Wolf! at noon and 1PM, plus instrument making with Slim and another jug band performance.

Near the covered Pavilion

Near the covered Pavilion

Near the covered Pavilion

Near the covered Pavilion

The Raft Race Sunday May 28, 2:30 pm

At 2:30 PM on Sunday, May 28, hundreds of spectators will crowd the Chester River waterfront for an unusual event, the Chestertown Tea Party Festival Raft Race - a race of rafts made of non-nautical materials on the Chester.

Open to the public, this race invites teams of entrants to display feats of engineering and creativity, with rafts ranging from barely-floating to truly incredible. The homemade flotillamakes its way around a short course located just off Chestertown’s Wilmer Park, and spectators can watch the action from the Lelia Lynson Pavilion or the park’s waterfront area.

In this off-beat event, not-so-sleek racing machines compete for different awards acknowledgingthe buoyancy, construction, beauty, and navigational abilities of the different teams. The coveted Tea Cup, the race’s highest honor, is awarded to the raft with the best synthesis of creativity,engineering, and speed.

Other awards include The Fabulous Flotsam Award: presented to the raft more likely to cause a spectacle than win the race. The DaVinci Award: presented to the raft with the most unorthodox form of locomotion. The Van Gogh Award: presented to the most artistic raft. The Flop Award: presented to the raft with the most impressive failure. The Junior Cup Award: presented to the raft with the best synthesis of creativity, engineering, and speed – chosen from the first three finishers of the Junior Division (entire crews 15 years of age or younger). Those in the Junior Division are not excluded from winning in the Adult Division. And – the judge’s favorite award, The Congressional: presented to the raft with the Best Bribe.

Wilmer Park Waterfront

Edna Ross Award 2023

The Chestertown Tea Party Festival is pleased to announce that Trish McGee is the 2023 recipient of the Edna Ross Award. The award was created in 2011 in honor of Edna Ross, to celebrate local business owners for their outstanding service to the community.

Trish McGee may be considered a “come here” because she was born in Baltimore. She and her three younger siblings moved to their mother’s hometown of Chestertown many, many years ago when Trish was 8 years old.

Trish has lived here ever since, attending local schools and graduating from Washington College.

Though she was a history major in college, printer’s ink was in Trish’s blood. In 1985, she joined the staff of the Kent County News as a sportswriter. She ultimately ascended to the position of editor, representing the fourth generation of her family to be the editor of a newspaper in Chestertown.

Trish “mostly retired” from the Kent County News last September, but has continued as a contributor – mostly reporting and photographing sports.

She is beginning a third term as an elected member of the Kent County Board of Education.

She is a Character Counts! volunteer for kindergartners at Garnet Elementary School; volunteers with the Samaritan Group outreach program; delivers food weekly for the Feeding the Elderly initiative of Minary’s Dream Alliance; and has been coaching high school field hockey for more than 30 years.

Past recipients include Edna Ross, Lanny Parks, Lucia Foster, Anna Scott Cole, Margaret and Bob Morris, Lisa and Jay Yerkes, Dick Goodall, Bob Ramsey, Ralph Dowling and Jamie Barrett.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER QUINN

Chestertown Tea Party Festival

Craft Vendor List

143more LLC

Alloyed Earth Jewelry

April Goodman Studio

Art Sea Shop

Bead Lady Designs of Chestertown

Beltway Merch, Betty A Cain, Beve Miller

Braids and Sparkles, Briana Santillan

Buoy 24

Burn Wood Customs

Cane Collective

Canine Capes and Cuddles

Casey Julia Designs

Catch of the Day Designs

CB Designs

Cellar Studio Jewelry Cheryl Johnson

Chestertown Coffee Company

Clabber Hill Furniture

Clare’s Nutty Concoctions

Corinne Dorns Herbs & Spice

Critical Cannabis Assistance, Inc., D Wagman

Deb’s Spoon Art

Deesigns by Deena LLC

Delaware Bay Clay

Dye Works II

Eastern Shore Wood Designs

Ellen Gale Conner

Enrique Lujan Lescano

Eumoni May

Evergrain Bread Co

Fire Beast Jerky

Friendly Goods Co, Sam Shoge

Grace A Mano Jewelry

Gram’s Jams

Green’s Way Landscaping

Gui’Shani Luxury - Shania Thomas

Hammer & Needle Heirlooms

Harbor Master Books

Jimmy Reynolds

Joseph Scott Designs - Totes of the Town

Just Wright Elements

KE Creations

Kinda Jerky Really Nutty (KJRN)

Lapp’s Bakery

Laurel Dispenza

Laurie Cumpston Illustrator

L’s Creations

LumbearJack Beading Co

Mad River Botanicals

Maria Pineda

Marianne Sade Art

Mark Cunningham

Mary E Hutton

Mary Lou Troutman

Mooscellaneous Memories

Mother Mary’s Creations

Music Life

Nancy McTear

Nate-ure’s Art by Heather Collins

Native Influence & Whisper Music

Nature’s Artistry

Neanderthal Photography

Organic Medicinal Soaps By Liz Waters

Painted Sky Alpaca Farm

Paul Aspell Pottery

Pet Treats and Goodies

Pope’s Leather LLC

Randalia Farm

Revolution Wear

Riverside Unique

Robin Frees

Sara Gorman

Sarah Cataldo

Scorpion Woodworks

Seedco

Shady Meadow Farms

Shell Island Art

Sherry Ann Kibler

Shippen Creek Fine Wood Works

Shore Smoke Seasonings

Silhouttes By Hand

Silverbird

SketchWoods

Sons of Liberty

Still Pond Creations

Suds and Sandals

Sunshine Handicrafts, Inc

Susan Sensenig

TB Turnings & Woodwork

That’s So Maryland, The Bay Escape / Royal Scents

The Moonlit Shell

The Posh Hair Care Collection

The Weyward Sisters Soap and Candle Company

Thomas Yates Wood Carvings

Tom’s Pottery Sensation

Unique Pewter

Veterans Wood Crafts

Vineeta Stottlemyer

Washington College

When in Aroma

Wood & Cloth and Zah Crystal Files

Nonprofit Vendor List

Eastern Shore Beekeepers

Eastern Shore Heritage Inc / Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area

Echo Hill Outdoor School

Friends of Eastern Neck. Inc

Grace Community

Jarred White Healing Through Music Foundation

Kent Attainable Housing, Inc.

Kent County Democratic Central Committee

Kent County office of Emergency Services

Kent County Public Schools

Kent NAACP

Kent School

League of Women Voters of Kent County

Museums of Kent County

National Music Festival

Open Doors Partners in Education

Republicans of Kent

Washington College

Friday, May 26, 2023

3:30 PM

Schedule of Events

Meet & Greet with Gretchen Woelfle - author of children’s book Mumbet’s Declaration of Independence

5:30 PM Sneaker Creeper – Footrace for children ages 2-11

5:00 - 9:00 PM Kick-off Street Party: Free and open to the public. Live Music. Local food trucks, beer and wine available for purchase

Saturday, May 27, 2023

6:30 AM Shuttle Service for Distance Run Begins –RadcliffeCreek School to Wilmer Park

8:00 AM Tea Party Distance Classic/Run for Radcliffe – Quaker Neck Rd. vehicular traffic will be stopped at start of race.

9:00 AM Streets Close to All Traffic

Sumner Hall

Roy Kirby Stadium Washington College

The foot of High Street, near the Chester River

See program or website for map

Wilmer Park

9:00 AM Heritage Village Opens Heritage Village

Re-enactors Encampment Area Opens

9:30 AM

10:00 AM

11:00 AM

Foot of High St./Custom House

Stephen Christoff and Slim Harrison - Strolling Musicians High St. and Cross St.

COLONIAL PARADE High Street/Main Stage

Walking Tour of Historic Chestertown - $8.00 per person; tickets and start of tours at Info Booth

Slim Harrison and Rock Candy Cloggers - Children’s Jug

Band & clogging workshop

11:15 AM

Information Booth

Courthouse Lawn

Face painting until 3pm Courthouse Lawn Children’s Corner

Prizes and Awards – Colonial Parade, Edna Ross Award

African American History Walking Tour - Explore the 19th century rise of a free African American community

Levram the Great - Colonial Conjurer - Ready to be amazed?

Dover English Country Dancers - 18th Century dancing demonstration

Main Stage

Custom House

Garfield Center for the Arts

Main Stage

Saturday, May 27, 2023

11:30 AM Phyllis Wheatley Portrayal - Honoring colonial America’s brilliant Black female poet

Jolly Tars - Sea shanties, banjo, guitar & harmonica transport audiences back to the days of wooden ships and iron men

Tucker’s Tales Puppet Theatre - Punch & Judy show

12:00 PM

Rock Candy Cloggers - Clogging, flatfooting, with music by Slim Harrison, Stephen Christoff

Garnet Tiger Chorus and Bucket Band and The Rock Hall Elementary Ukelele Chorus

Benjamin Banneker Portrayal - Pioneering African American astronomer, mathematician, and naturalist

Cricket Demonstration - 4th Company, Brigade of Guards & Clotz’ Battalion

12:15 PM

Chris Cerino - Musical portraits of Kent County & your favorites

The Town of Rock Hall, Maryland presents

Pirates and Wenches Weekend

August 11th - 13th 2023

Come by land or come by sea to the town of Rock Hall on the Isle of Delmarva for an Award Winning Town-Wide Event with Fun for the whole Family!

Garfield Center for the Arts

Foot of High Street

Courthouse Lawn Children’s Corner

Courthouse Portico

Main Stage

Garfield Center for the Arts

Garden of Washington College President - Water Street

Foot of High Street

ROCK HALL, MD

Your Chesapeake Bay Getaway

rockhallmd.com

Mark Your Calendar!

Triathlon - June 3 & 4

Rock Fish Tournament - June 9 - 11

Waterman's Day - July 2

Fireworks - July 3

4th of July Parade - July 4

Pirates & Wenches Weekend - August 11-13

Scrapple Festival - September 2

Fall Fest - October 14

Year round events at The Mainstay

Saturday, May 27, 2023

12:30 PM

Dover English Country Dancers - 18th Century dancing demonstration

Respect For Mumbet - Sumner Hall performance about the first enslaved African American to file and win a freedom suit in Massachusetts

12:45 PM

1:00 PM

The Country Current - US Navy’s premier modern country & cutting edge bluegrass ensemble

Stephen Christoff - Virtuoso musician playing a variety of period instruments

Tucker’s Tales Puppet Theatre - Punch & Judy show

Walking Tour of Historic Chestertown - $8.00 per person; tickets and start of tours at Info Booth

1:15 PM

1:30 PM

1:55 PM

2:00 PM

3:00 PM

Courthouse Portico

Garfield Center for the Arts

Main Stage

Foot of High Street

Courthouse Lawn Children’s Corner

Information Booth

Levram the Great Colonial Conjurer - Ready to be amazed? Garfield Center for the Arts

Miss Jackie - stories for children

Walking Tour of Historic Chestertown - $8.00 per person; tickets and start of tours at Info Booth

Benjamin Banneker Portrayal - African American astronomer, mathematician and naturalist

Jolly Tars Sea shanties, banjo, guitar & harmonica

Military Preparation for the re-enactment

The Chestertown Resolves - Historical proclamation read by Brian Moore of WCTR Radio

TEA PARTY RE-ENACTMENT

Spiced Punch - More colonial music fun!

Walking Tour of Historic Chestertown - $8.00 per person; tickets and start of tours at Info Booth

Soldiers, Weapons, & Tactics of Revolutionary War

4th Co., Brigade of Guards, 1st MD Rgmt, 1st Batt MD

Loyalists, 1st Delaware Regiment

4:00 PM Vendors Close/Festival Ends for the Day

Courthouse Lawn Children’s Corner

Information Booth

Courthouse Portico

Foot of High Street

Foot of High St./Custom House

Main Stage

High Street

Main Stage

Information Booth

Foot of High Street

High & Cross Streets

Sunday, May 28, 2023

12:00 PM Tea Party Beer Fest Begins Craft Beer tasting from local breweries

Tent in Wilmer Park Vendors Open - Artisans, food vendors Wilmer Park

Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theatre - It’s The Wolf! Near the L. Hynson Pavilion

12:30 PM Slim Harrison - Children’s instrument making Near the L. Hynson Pavilion

Wilson Springs Hotel - Toe tappin’ traditional and new grass, rockabilly

Tent in Wilmer Park

1:00 PM Tuckers’ Tales Puppet Theatre - It’s The Wolf! Near the L. Hynson Pavilion

1:30 PM Slim Harrison and Friends - Children’s Jug Band & Hootenany Near the L. Hynson Pavilion

2:00 PM Raft Race Coverage Begins Wilmer Park Waterfront

2:30 PM Raft Race Wilmer Park Waterfront

4:00 PM Tea Party Festival Ends Wilmer Park

Monday, May 29, 2023

10:00 AM Memorial Day Parade Downtown