Did you know that in 1774 in response to the closure of Boston Harbor by the British Parliament, the citizens of Chestertown, Maryland, gathered downtown, marched toward the Chester River, and threw a load of tea overboard?
Today, the historic riverfront town on the east shore of the Chesapeake Bay begins each summer with a Chestertown Tea Party Festival, a weekend of fun for the whole family that includes a tea toss reenactment, colonial parade , cocktail party, raft race, street performances, colonial crafts, street musicians, local food, 5k and 10 mile race and more.
See photos and take a look at the festival
Dates: May 26-28, 2017
Location
Chestertown, Maryland A
about 90 minutes from Washington, DC. Take Route 50 East to Annapolis, cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, follow US 301 North, exit MD 213 North towards Chestertown.
See a map of the east coast of Maryland
Chestertown Tea Party Festival Calendar
Friday
6:00 pm – Launch Celebration, Main Stage at High St. and Attorneys Row; Sneaker Creeper: Run for boys ages 2 to 11 at Washington College’s Roy Kirby Stadium.
Saturday
8:00 am – Annual Tea Party Classic Distance Race, Wilmer Park
10:00 am Colonial Parade, High Street
11:15 am Awards Ceremony for the Classic Tea Party Party, Wilmer Park
12:00 pm Whipped Cookie Contest, Foot of High Street
2:00 pm Tea party reenactment, main stage
Sunday
10:00 am Memorial Day Parade, High Street
11:00 am Schooner Sultana Public Boating on the Chester River, reservation required.
Call 410-778-5954, Cannon at Town Dock
12:30 pm Interfaith service and flag raising, cross and high streets
1:30 pm Launch the Tory! Wilmer Park
2:30 pm Raft Race, Wilmer Park
5:00 pm Schooner Sultana Public Sail on the Chester River, reservation required. Call 410-778-5954, Cannon at Town Dock
Historic tours by foot
Saturday: 11:30 am, 12:00 pm, 12:30 pm, 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm
Sunday: 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm
Part of the annual Chestertown Tea Party celebration, a walking tour of the historic district is offered highlighting renowned buildings such as Widehall, River House, White Swan Tavern and Hynson-Ringgold House. The tour lasts about an hour and a half. Tour participants also have the opportunity to tour inside the Geddes-Piper House, home of the
Kent County Historical Society website: www.chestertownteaparty.org
