The Chestertown Tea Party Festival welcomes all this Memorial Day Weekend in celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the ‘Chester Town Resolves,’ marked annually by tossing British tea overboard into the river.

History notes that, in response to the British Parliament’s closing of the port of Boston, the citizens of Chestertown met in May of 1774 and wrote a series of “Resolves” forbidding importing, selling or consuming tea in Chestertown. But local legend goes further, saying that residents then gathered at the town center, marched down High Street to the brigantine Geddes, which was anchored in the Chester River, and tossed her cargo of tea overboard. The annual reenactment of that event is the centerpiece of today’s Chestertown Tea Party Festival.

The festival kicks off Friday, May 24, with a Block Party in Wilmer Park on the Chester River, followed by fireworks. There will be live music and a variety of food trucks from 5 to 9 p.m.

Saturday’s festivities begin at 10 a.m., with the popular Colonial Parade, complete with fife and drum groups and marching bands. The town will be filled with more than 75 artisan vendors, and plenty of food options—from crab cakes to ribs and pulled pork, fried shrimp, burgers, fresh strawberry shortcake and funnel cakes.

Located on the Kent County Courthouse lawn, the Heritage Village features colonial rope making, ice cream making, grocers, sutlery, woodworking and a Cabinet of Curiosity featuring a camera obscura. Highlights include a demonstration of colonial dancing with the Dover Country Dancers, and a portrayal of Hercules Posey, George Washington’s celebrated, enslaved chef.

Children’s activities are also located at the Courthouse. These include puppet shows, colonial games, craft activity, storytelling, a participatory jug band and face painting.

Don’t miss the military encampment set up along the shore of the Chester River, filled with tents and re-enactors. Periodically a brigade or battalion will march up from the water to the courthouse and perform maneuvers prior to the Reenactment at 2 p.m.

History buffs take note: this year there are two walking tours of Chestertown—one focusing on African American History and one focusing on Colonial History.

Musical performances include strolling colonial musicians, rousing sea chanties, the Garnet Tiger Chorus & Bucket Band, the Ebony Hillbillies, the country’s premier African American string band, and Karen Somerville with Cross and High performing African American spirituals and blues.

The Garfield Center for the Arts will host a number of acts: a magician; a performance of David Wilson: Black Revolutionary War Patriot in the First Maryland Regiment; and a portrayal of Hercules Posey, George Washington’s enslaved chef.

The fun continues Sunday, May 26, at noon in Wilmer Park. The park will be filled with craft vendors, the Tea Party Beer Fest Tent featuring the Dan Hass Band, and plenty of children’s activities including instrument making, a jug band and a puppet show. Don’t miss the infamous Raft Race at 2:30 p.m.

Downtown parking may be a challenge, so free traffic shuttles will carry people from several major parking areas throughout town. Town ordinance prohibits pet dogs at the festival.

Learn more at www.chestertownteaparty.org or Facebook and Instagram.