We want to thank EVERYONE who came out to the inaugural Poplar Hill Mansion Festival held June 23! It was such a great day and attendance was fantastic! The festival included: The Friends of Maryland’s War of 1812, Chesapeake Independent Blues re-enactors, spinning demonstrations, live sheep from the Look Pretty, Play Dirty Mobile Petting Farm, Canzona Diversa performing live music the Federal period, and the Dover English Country Dancers. We also had the Wicomico County 4-H doing archery demonstrations and crafts with families. There was also a Market Square with Griswold Woodworks, Corsets & Cogs, Ink and Annie Calligraphy, Divine Planet Jewelry, Saltwater Baskets, Sleepy Moon Soap Co., Lil’ Kitchen Canner and Baked Goods, Nature’s Gifts by Kathy, Spirited Earth Designs, and local author Andy Nunez. We also want to thank some local officials for being good sports by participating in the “Locked in the Stocks.” Senator Addie Eckhardt, Senator Jim Mathias, Delegate Carl Anderton, City Council President Jack Heath, and Bo McAllister were all “charged” with helping us raise some money and their efforts “warrant” a round of applause.
We would also be remiss if we didn’t mention our sponsors for the festival. A great big thank you to the City of Salisbury who helped with logistics such as street closures, parking, and also loaned us tents to use. Also, Parties Etc., for giving us an in-kind donation and setting up a huge tent for our Market Square. Robinson’s Family of Businesses always does a fantastic print job and did all of our tee-shirts (which we have available for sale!). A big thanks also goes out to Charles Otto and Farmers and Planters for loaning us bales of straw. We could not have done the festival without any of you! The festival was made possible, in part, by a grant from the Salisbury Wicomico Arts Council, awarded by the Maryland State Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. We thank them for their continued support of the arts and music programming throughout the greater Salisbury area. The festival was also made possible, in part, by a grant from the Lower Eastern Shore Heritage Council. LESHC is a nonprofit 501©3 organization and a certified Maryland Heritage Area through Maryland Heritage Area Authority, whose purpose is to preserve, protect and promote the cultural, natural and historical heritage of Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.
We have already set the date for next year so mark your calendars for June 15, 2019 for the Second Annual PHM Festival!