Hot time for a tea party myeasternshoremd a

Hot time for a tea party

By MAEGAN CLEARWOOD Student Intern | Posted: Thursday, May 31, 2012 1:00 am CHESTERTOWN ­ Not even a blazing summer sun deterred local patriots from donning tricorn hats and petticoats during this year's annual Tea Party festivities.

Between 3,500 and 4,500 locals and visitors honored their revolutionary forebears this Memorial Day weekend, according to Tea Party Committee Vice President Bill Arrowood.

"We're very happy with the number," he said. "It went swimmingly. It was a real eclectic mix of locals and people from out of town."

Dunk A member of the ship's crew is tossed overboard during the Tea Party reenactment.

The weekend kicked off Friday afternoon with a cocktail reception in Wilmer Park followed by a musical celebration by The Chester River Chorale at the Garfield Center for the Arts at Prince Theater.

The musical festivities continued at 10 a.m. Saturday with the traditional Tea Party parade. Bagpipes, drums and fifes led a string of regimental soldiers, bands and floats down High Street to the main stage where the festival board recognized participants in an awards ceremony.

There was no shortage of amusement for Tea Party­goers as they waited for the reenactment to begin.

Local and out­of­town vendors, craftsmen, musicians and entertainers lined the streets throughout the day, bringing Colonial Chest­ertown to life.

According to Arrowood, Tea Party attracted more than 100 vendors this weekend, many of whom have been bringing their tents and wares into town for years.

Members of the Thomas H. Kiah Masonic Lodge in Rock Hall, for example, have been selling between 1,300 and 1,500 crab cakes each year.

"We're certainly busy," said Lodge member Melvin Shorter, who said his group has been a vendor for more than 30 years. "You meet a lot of people."

Although Tea Party is steeped in tradition, each year also boasts new additions to the regular festivities. Only on its third year, the Garfield Center for the Arts' Revolutionary Theater gave audience members a chance to take an air­conditioned break from the humid outdoor activities and enjoy two original plays. The one­acts were written by local writers Tia Gomb and Keith Thompson.

"I put in a lot of melodrama to make it lighthearted," said Chestertown resident and board member Gomb, who scripted the play "To Tie the Knot." "Personally, I like theater, so the Tea Party gives me a day to pull the costumes out of the closet."

The day's crowning event was, of course, the reenactment of the legendary Tea Party itself. After announcing their grievances against the British in the center of town, a group of patriots led a cheering crowd down to the water for the tossing of the tea.

The Redcoats were drenched and defeated, but the celebrations were far from over. The festivities rolled into Sunday, marking the ever­popular Tory Toss and raft race.

The pardoned tea drinkers this year were Chester River Hospital CEO Jim Ross, Millington

Elementary School Principal Tracey Rodney, Middle School Principal Gary McCulloch and H.H. Garnett Elementary School's Rusty Pritzlaff. Dawn VanGrin, principal of Galena Elementary School, was the unlucky accused Tory who made the climactic jump into the Chester River.

VanGrin was soon followed by a horde of colorful and creative rafts constructed out of everything from cardboard to water jugs. This year's four competitors for the Junior Cup Award were given a 10­ minute head start, and Flying Hawaiian, captained by Paige Megargee and Benji Cantera of Kent School, quickly pulled into the lead.

"We were confident we were going to crush," said 10­year­old rafter Annaliesse Cantera. "We're ready for next year."

Fourteen adult rafts then made their way onto the course. One notable entrant was the Louis A., winner of the Van Gogh award for artistic design and captained by Donnie Quinn. The vessel, a replica of a P­38 Lightning airplane, was another Tea Party tribute to founder Louis Anthony.

The coveted first place Tea Cup was awarded to the rowers of The Hungry Games, captained by Pete Brocker. This is the second win in a row for the wig­wearing team, which came in first last year for its equally­creative vessel, The Black Swan.

"We're the best. We can't be beat," said rower Chris Holmes of Chestertown. "We're a juggernaut."

Aside from Cadence the cow's unwillingness to plop for Cow Plop Bingo, one of the weekend's final events, this year's Tea Party was a success for all.

"The parade was amazing, the weather was splendid, the crowd was very happy," Arrowood said. "It went swimmingly."

Parade Awards The Maryland Rough Riders came in first for best riding or walking unit, and Cub Scout Pack No. 235 came in second.

Best band was awarded to the Kiltie Band of York, followed by Queen Anne's High School in second place and Kent County High School in third. First place for best marching unit went to Monument City Fife and Drum Corps, second place to the First Maryland Regiment, and third to the Sixth Maryland Regiment.

The Grand Marshal carriage came in first place for best float, and St. Brigid's Farm came in second place.

The Mayor's Cup for best overall unit was given to the Kent County Community Marching Band.

Also honored on the main stage were this year's two grand marshals, Mabel Mumfort­Pautz and Louis Anthony, a late festival founder. Mumford­Pautz was recognized for three decades of service with the town council as well as years of community support and advocacy. Anthony, a Tea Party founder and cherished member of the community, was honored posthumously. His wife, Barbara Jean Anthony, accepted the award in his place.

The Tea Party festival board also recognized The Compleat Bookseller owner Lanny Parks with its second annual Edna Ross Community Service Award. Kent County High School senior Tyler Cornelilus was awarded a $250 book scholarship as this year's Tea Party essay winner, and Kent County Middle School seventh­ grader Michael Hong earned the annual Art Award.