7th annual Holly Point Art & Seafood Fest is Oct. 9
 |
| The Pierwalk at the Deltaville Maritime Museum will feature several historic workboats during the October 9 festival. |
On Saturday, October 9, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., artists working in virtually all imaginable media, an expanded classic car show, pirates, a swashbuckling school, Native American exhibits, model trains, visiting museums, antique diesel engines, authors, a live band, classic workboats, the John Smith replica “Explorer,” free creek cruises and more food offerings than ever will all come together at the 7th annual Art and Seafood Festival held at the Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park in Deltaville.
Described as “the best art festival on the Peninsula” by museum and park officials, the festival will feature over 70 artists and exhibitors and their work. Regionally-acclaimed artists such as Kathleen Noffsinger, watercolorist and jeweler; Anne Wilcox, oil and mixed media; Jacquie Colligan, original art work and jewelry; Summer Haze Pottery, works in clay; H. Roden Trainor, photography; Gayle Wilson, stoneware pottery; Bev Hardin, handcrafted jewelry; and many other artists and craftsmen working in oil, acrylics, watercolor, pastels, fabric, glass, stoneware and other media will come together for an exciting display of the arts on the over 30 acres of Holly Point Nature Park.
At the Food Court, Billz Bistro will put out the seafood. Hand-packed crab cakes, trout fillet sandwiches, spiced steamed shrimp, shrimp salad sandwiches, and Cap’n Ron with his very popular Kickin’ Chowder will all be on the menu. The Bistro will also have plenty of its signature barbecue, cole slaw and hush puppies.
“Café by the Bay” will be on hand with coffees, sweet buns and seafood gumbo. Carolyn Goodrich brings hot dogs, hamburgers and funnel cakes to the Festival Court.
For those with a sweet tooth, Terry’s ice cream and the Greek Market will serve ice cream and Greek pastries. They will be set up on either side of the Rappahannock Railroaders’ model train exhibit.
Volunteers at the museum and park have been hard at work all year toward preening their facilities and attractions, and adding more for young and old alike to see and do. The Johns log-hulled bugeye has been refurbished and updated as have the museum’s signature skipjacks.
The museum’s new lighthouse entrance has been finished and all of the exhibits have been updated. The new “Civil War in Middlesex” exhibit is also nearing completion. Admission to the museum is always free during events.
On the “Pierwalk,” the museum’s fleet of classic watercraft will be spruced and ready. “F.D. Crockett,” sporting her new “waist” and hatches, will be ready for tours until 1 p.m. when there will be a “bon voyage” as she takes off for Poquoson, her old home port, to be “belle of the ball’ for the workboat races on Sunday.
“Lillian B.” will be offering Discovery Cruises to museum members, and the classic workboats “Only Son” and “Cooper Hill” will be on hand for cruises around Jackson Creek. “Explorer,” the museum’s replica John Smith shallop, offers “that 1600s rowing experience” to the adventurous.
For the first time this year, fresh local produce also will be available with Garner’s Produce and Lover’s Retreat Dairy providing veggies, pumpkins, fresh eggs and goat cheese.
Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park is a non-profit organization at 287 Jackson Creek Road and on Mill Creek. Turn right off Route 33 across from the Shell Station to get there.
Holly Point Nature Park, the Pierwalk and all other outside exhibits, gardens and facilities are open dawn to dusk throughout the year, except during pre-announced private events.
The museum can be contacted at museumpark at oonl.com or 776-7200.
