Chestertown Tea Party 2024 (LH)

http://www.chestertownteaparty.org/

Notes: This is an all day event with a parade and then an encampment plus a reenactment too!  Lots of fun with this event and always a large crowd onsite.  See more below for additional information.

We will be encamped down near the water and the Sultana.  Maps will be sent to participants.

We will have water and ice for you throughout the day.  If you are in need of additional water, you may access the back of the Custom House and get water from inside as well.  There will be a Chesapeake Heartland Project display at the back of the building.  Just ask one of their docents and they can give you access to the building and show you where to get water.

From the event organizers:

Just a reminder that the schedule of events for reenactors is below.  It's pretty much the same itineray as last year.

7:00 AM to 9:00 AM Living History Site open to reenactors for dropoff/set up (clink on link below for details)

9:00 Road closure - all vehicles must be removed from the festival area.

Reenactors walking to parade lineup from camp should depart (~ 1 mile walk)

9:30 Units must be assembled in parade lineup spots Weapons inspection (clink on link below for details)

10:00 Colonial Parade begins

10:45 Living History Encampment begins - Foot of High Street

11:00-11:20 Company Drill- 1st Delaware Regt and First MD Regt -Heritage Village

11:45- 12:05 Company Drill 4th Company, Brigade of Guards and Clotz's Battalion - Heritage Village

12:30 Company Commander Street Fight Walkthrough

12:45- 1:05 Company Drill 1st Battalion NJ vols and whatever other group wants to go again?? - Heritage Village

1:30  Reenactors depart camp for Street Fight/Tea Toss Reenactment

2:00  Street Fight/Tea Toss reenactment begins at Judges Stand - proceeds downHigh Street to Waterfront

3:00  Weapons and Tactics of Revolutionary War Demonstration - all groups participate at the Encampment.

4:00  Festival ends/road reopen/clean up of Living History site

Update 1:  Please note that when you drop off your supplies Saturday morning at the Living History Site, you will NOT be able to drive down Cross and High St.  They will be closed to traffic.  Instead from Rt 213 (Washington Ave/Maple) make a left onto Kent St, then left onto Cannon St, left onto Water St., then you can turn right into the High St. parking lot to unload.  (See map below).  After that you need to park in the first come, first serve lots.  I believe that most that most, if not all of you will be able to find parking at the 98 Cannon Restaurant lot. 

Update 2:Please note that the 3:00  Weapons and Tactics of Revolutionary War Demonstration (all groups participate) will be held in the Encampment this year instead of the end of High St.   I have been notified that there is going to be some music going on around that time at the end of High St.

Please review all parking and parade information on this link:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/19V0RCCbX30su_DKywexSnZ7ttq2HPIyG-ZKJHXW8YXs/edit?usp=sharing

Street Closures:

Street closures start at 8am.  Streets will reopen at 5pm.

Parking:

There is a free shuttle bus service for this event that serves park and ride lots at the Kent Plaza Shopping Center, Radcliffe Creek School,  and the Chestertown Business Park (across from Dixon Valve).  

Parade:

The parade lineup is at Dixon Drive and High Street in the Chestertown Business Park.  Parade lineup is at 9am.  If not at parade lineup by 9:30am you will not be permitted to march in the parade.

Parade Lineup will be in the Chestertown Business Park - use Dixon Drive to enter which can be accessed from High Street.  There is ample parking in the Business Park and shuttle buses run all day from the festival area that will bring you back to the entrance to the Business Park.  Lineup will be on Lynchburg Street facing High Street.  If you have any questions or trouble finding your spot, please look for parade officials in neon vests.

The parade route starts heading northeast on South Lynchburg Street, turning right onto High Street.  The parade route follows High Street to its terminus at the Chester River.  The total route is approximately 1 mile in length.  About ¾ of the way along the parade route is the Main Stage, which is the location of the judges.  There is a 3 minute time limit at the Judges Stand for any performances.

Parade prizes will be announced immediately following the parade.

Your Parade Line Up Position is:  14

Chestertown Tea Party Reenactment:

2:00pm - Near Main Stage - Tea Party Reenactment Begins - 30 minutes

3:00pm - Living History Demonstrations down near Sultana - 30 minutes  

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1st Delaware Regiment Specific:

Length of Event: All Day – 9am – 4pm

Arrival Time For Regiment: 8am

Parking: Please park as designated by event organizers. 

Restrooms: Portapotties nearby

Food and Beverages Provided: Yes – by Regiment or event organizer for lunch.

Encampment Setup Level: Small

Camp Kitchen Setup: Yes

Camp Kitchen Tent Fly: Yes

Supply Tent Setup: Yes

In Ground or Above Ground Fire Permitted: No

Individual Soldier Tents Permitted: No

Water Provided: Yes 

Straw Provided: No

Firewood Provided: No

Soldier Specific:

Impression: Delaware Militia / Civilian Dress

Kit Level: Cartridge box, canteen.  No bayonet.  Civilian accessories.

Musket Firing: Yes

Musician Specific:

Contact Musician Sergeant-Major for music to be played at this event.  Military calls also to be demonstrated too if possible.

Civilian Specific:

Impression: Civilian followers of a military camp.

Table Displays Permitted: Yes – please indicate display you wish to show to Officer of the Day or Civilian Camp Coordinator (if applicable).

Supporter Specific:

Please assist in setup and/or breakdown if possible.  Also – please bring camera or video camera to take photographs or video if possible.  We will look to take posed photos that will be used to help educate the public if possible at each event this year.

Registered as Attending:

1. Chris Mlynarczyk - Military - Officer - Local Militia Officer
2. Terry Dunham - MIlitary - Soldier - Local Militia
3. + Marvis Colonna - Military - Soldier - Local Militia
4. Milt Sherman - Military - Soldier - Local Militia
5. Chris Birely - Military - Soldier - Local Militia (Parade Only)
6.  + Makayla Birely - Soldier - Flag Bearer (Parade Only)
7. John Osborn - Military - Soldier - Local Militia
8. Heloise Osborn - Civilian - Civilian Camp Coordinator
9. Wilma Tipton - Civilian
10. Stephanie Billon - Civilian