The Chestertown Tea Party Festival Committee is proud to announce exciting new participants and attractions for 2015:
On Saturday, the beloved Tea Party parade (10 am, down High Street) will proudly feature, for the first time, the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. The musicians in the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, a one-of-a-kind unit in the American military, recall the days of the American Revolution as they perform in uniforms patterned after those worn by the soldier-musicians of General George Washington’s Continental Army. The Corps performs at all armed forces arrival ceremonies for visiting dignitaries and heads of state at the White House and has participated in every Presidential Inaugural Parade since President John F. Kennedy’s in 1961.
Other new entries in Saturday’s parade are the Chester River Association, the Stevensville Middle School Band, the British Marines, the 1st Virginia Regiment and the 1st Delaware Regiment. Arrive early to get the best view.
One of the Tea Party Festival’s favorite attractions, the reenactment of the colonists’ tea-and-taxes debate, this year has a new element: a ‘preenactment’ dress rehearsal. This will be an opportunity in a quieter setting (especially suitable for young children) to hear what 18th-century patriots and loyalists had to say about taxation, representation, and democracy. The portrayers are counselors from Kent County’s Echo Hill Outdoor School. The dress rehearsal will take place on Saturday at 1 pm in the park adjoining the Sandbox, 107 South Cross Street (between High and Cannon Streets).
This year, make sure to visit the expanded Colonial Village, located on the grounds of the Kent County Court House (103 North Cross Street). In addition to the campsite of several colonial regiments, visit the working blacksmith from 9:30am until 1:30pm and experience a demonstration of colonial food and cooking by Gloria Urban, former Director of the Kent County Public Library (Saturday, 12:30 pm) and a veteran of many classes and workshops at the Landis Valley Village and Farm Museum In Lancaster’s Pennsylvania.
Saturday offers even more activities for families and young children: KidSPOT at RiverArts (315 High Street) will be offering colonial crafts, games, and activities starting at 9 am, until noon. KidSPOT also offers, for families that want to explore Chestertown, child-friendly self-guided history hunts through the historic district.
Roger Brown says
In the early 1980’s Phyllis Brown was the parade chairperson and obtained the marching unit of the Old Guard for the parade.
Melinda Bookwalter says
It’s great that Tea Party is expanding with some new additions; the “preenactment” dress rehearsal is a nice addition as well as highlighting KidSPOT activities. Plus, thanx for letting us know!