May Faire 2022 will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at various locations in downtown Mathews.
This year’s theme is “Celebrating Mathews Watermen,” and generations of watermen who were long the lifeblood of Mathews County will be front and center during the festivities, while the U.S. Coast Guard will also be recognized for its many contributions to the county.
The public will have an opportunity to have conversations with six local watermen, moderated by journalist Larry Chowning, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the historic courthouse. Del. Keith Hodges (R-Urbanna) is expected to present a recognition to U.S. Coast Guard CPO Joshua Menges, officer in charge of U.S. Coast Guard Station Milford Haven, during opening ceremonies, which begin at 10.
Music will be featured throughout the day, including a musical prelude at 9 a.m., the National Anthem performed by Michael Gregg during opening ceremonies, the Courthouse Community Orchestra performing in the pavilion at 11 a.m., and the Flat Tones performing from 2 to 4 p.m.
Some highlights of the day will be a cooking demonstration by guest chef Jonathan Lewis of Southwind Pizza from noon to 1:30 p.m., a cake walk at noon, and dancing around the Maypole, beginning at 1. The U.S. Coast Guard will have its rescue boat on hand near the firehouse, and a 70-foot model of the USS Alabama is scheduled to make an appearance, courtesy of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard.
Adjacent to Tompkins Cottage, the public will be able to participate in a test dig conducted by the Fairfield Foundation or in children’s recreational and educational activities. A professional face-painter will be on hand. At the Mother’s Day Booth, festival-goers can learn to make Morse code bracelets, spelling out a message in dots and dashes.
Most of the day’s events will be centered on and around the pavilion on Put-In Creek, while vendors selling everything from art to food will be located on the court green. After the Pound Cake Contest is judged, visitors to the festival will have a chance to purchase one of the cakes, with proceeds to benefit the Mathews Historical Museum.
Brickbat Road will be closed between Church Street at MVFD Station 1 and Court Street at Tompkins Cottage. Court Street, where the weekly Mathews Farmers’ Market is held, will be open.
Mathews Historical Museum, which sponsors the festival, will be open all day at its Main Street location, with exhibits on watermen, Captain Charles Lee Forrest, Captain Robert Roland Hudgins, and “Bay to Belly,” a traveling exhibit on loan from the Yorktown Watermen’s Museum.
Parking will be available at Thomas Hunter Middle School and Mathews High School, with a free shuttle bus providing rides to May Faire.