Mediaboss Marketing

CHESTERTOWN The threat of rain over Tea Party Weekend did not appear to dampen anyones spirits as the annual festival in downtown Chestertown was well attended.

The 41st annual Chestertown Tea Party Festival celebrated the local legend of Kent County Colonists storming a ship in the Chester River and dumping its load of tea in protest of British taxes. Whether true or not, the festival celebrating it continues to be a big draw in Chestertown.

Lt. John Dolgos of the Chestertown Police Department said that the attendance at the Tea Party Festival appeared to have been higher than in the past couple of years.

Another one in the history books, and it was a good one, he said.

Spanning four days, Tea Party weekend kicked off Friday evening with the Street Party at the foot of High Street. Mayor Chris Cerino and Street Party Coordinator Aundra Anderson made some opening remarks before musical act Dell Foxx Company began their set.

This is Andersons fourth year as Street Party coordinator.

She was tasked with transforming the event. Last year, the Street Party shifted away from its previous incarnation of a high-priced, Colonial dress and plated dinner affair to free admission and food trucks.

The atmosphere is meant to be a little more casual than the rest of the weekend, which is Colonial-centric. Andersons goal for the kickoff event aimed at Kent County residents, was to kind of set the tone for the weekend of providing a fun, family-friendly atmosphere, something where you feel comfortable bringing your kids, she said in a phone interview last week.

Originally from the Midwest, Anderson, a Washington College alum and its director of admissions communications, said that she has experienced a fair share of festivals and fairs, but nothing like Chestertowns Tea Party.

(There was) nothing with that kind of character behind it, this idea of celebrating Colonial rebellion, she said.

Margaret Jordan has been attending the Tea Party Festival since she and her husband moved to Chestertown in 2001. She was glad to see people participating.

Im not into dressing Colonial, but I enjoy that theres so many people out. I like seeing the people I dont normally see; I like to see the town sharing an event together, she said Friday night.

Maddy Margulies, a recent graduate of Washington College, also was enjoying the first night of the festival. From Pennsylvania, Margulies said that she has never been in Chestertown during Tea Party. She was excited to finally participate.

It is a good atmosphere (and) its really fun so far, she said.

Another popular stop of the night was the caricature artist, About Faces, which Ruth Tonkyro described as a highlight while she waited for her daughters portrait to be completed.

The family had travelled from Leonardtown to partake in the annual Tea Party Distance Classic and Run for Radcliffe on Saturday morning.

Its just a lot of fun. We originally came here for the run and then when we found out what else was here, we were kind of disappointed we didnt stay longer because its really cool, Tonkyro said.

Getting the community involved started earlier this year, with the additional Tea Bag Art Project launched by the Chestertown Arts & Entertainment district. The project asked participants to create artwork on oversized tea bags, large canvas sacks. The completed bags were displayed in storefronts throughout downtown.

The tea bags included a new slogan designed by Zane Carter, stating, Chestertown: Steeped in History. Stirred by Art.

I was very happy with the community engagement, Kay MacIntosh, Chestertown economic development and marketing coordinator, said in a phone interview Tuesday. The project drew in about 60 participants.

On Saturday, Chestertown was thrown back in time to the Colonial era, based on the story of patriots in 1774 tossed the brigantine Geddes cargo of tea into the Chester River as an act of rebellion again British taxes.

Caleb Schultz, 12, of Betterton was enjoying himself at the Tea Party Festival Saturday.

I think the festival is great, he said while walking down High Street.

Michelle Thompson, who just moved back from Chestertown from living in Virginia, said she never missed a Tea Party, even while living away. She said this years festival was pretty great.

Its always great to come down here and depend on things being the same, like my fried clams I have right here, Thompson said. You also get to see a lot of people you havent seen in years. Thats the most wonderful part.

As a start to the day, the Colonial Parade began, incorporating floats and an assortment of marching bands. This year, attorney Tom Yeager was honored as the parades grand marshal.

After the parade, Dick Goodall, CEO of Dixon Valve & Coupling Co., received the Edna Ross Award, which is given annually to a local business person for outstanding service to the community, according to the Tea Partys website.

Saturdays re-enactment is what brings many to the Tea Party. Re-enactors took to High Street at 2 p.m. for a skit before they marched down to the river, boarded rowboats and overtook the Geddes, portrayed by the schooner Sultana. After a mock-fight, the tea was tossed overboard.

The rain held off until the Colonists were triumphant in their rebellion, having disposed of the tea in the Chester River.

Artisans and food vendors lined the High and Cross streets downtown. Attendees and entertainers dressed in Colonial outfits. Benjamin Franklin made an appearance, as did John Jay.

Charles Bauman and his dad, Michael, came from Delaware to partake in the celebrations. Charles dressed the part as George Washington because he just wanted to.

Baumans wife is originally from Chestertown and has been attending Tea Party since she was a kid, which, he said, is how the whole family got involved.

On Sunday, Tea Party changed gears, with a craft beer and wine tasting in Wilmer Park, followed the crowd favorite, Tea Party Raft Race.

The Tea Cup, the top prize gifted to the raft with the best synthesis of creativity, engineering, and speed, according to the Tea Partys website, went to a Willy Wonka-inspired creation. The raft was styled after the movies blue and white boat, propelled by a team of Oompa-Loompas spinning a waterwheel.

The long weekend formally concluded on Monday with a Memorial Day Parade at 10 a.m.

Sabine Harvey, president of the planning committee, has been a long-term participant in the festival, and seldom gets to enjoy the event that she spends a year planning, but its community commitment is what keeps her involved.

Its such a great community event and so many community organizations, Harvey said. I love this county and so I want to contribute. Ive gotten to meet and know a whole bunch of people I otherwise never would have met.

Continue reading here:
Weather does not dampen Tea Party - My Eastern Shore