In response to British Parliament's closing of the port of Boston, the citizens of Chestertown, Maryland met in May of 1774 and set forth "Resolves" forbidding importing, selling, or consuming tea in Chestertown. According to local legend, 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 the Chestertown Tea Party Festival. The re-enactment is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. All Festival events take place along the Chester River and in the historic district of 18th-century Chestertown, Maryland. There is no admission charge to the Festival.

Schedule of Events:

6:30 am: Shuttle Service for Distance Run Begins Radcliffe Creek School to Wilmer Park
8:00 am: Tea Party Distance Classic-Run for Radcliffe Quaker Neck Rd. vehicular traffic will be stopped at start of race. - Wilmer Park
Free Parking Shuttle Service Begins for Festival
Attendees - Runs continuously through 5 pm. See program or website for map

09:00 am Streets Close to All Traffic
09:00 am: Heritage Village Opens Courthouse Lawn Re-enactors Encampment Area Opens Foot of High St.-Custom House
09:30 am: Strolling Musicians High and Cross Streets
10:00 am: COLONIAL PARADE High Street-Main Stage
10:30 am: KidSPOT Crafts for young children 10:30 - Noon - Courthouse Lawn Children's Corner
11:00 am: Walking Tour of Historic Chestertown $10 person tickets and start of tours at Info Booth Information Booth
- James Forten Portrayal Renowned African american businessman and abolitionist Courthouse Portico
- African american History Walking Tour Explore the 19th century rise of a free African american community Custom House
11:00 am: Kent County Public Library Crafts for children Courthouse Lawn Children's Corner
- Prizes and Awards - Colonial Parade, Edna Ross Award Main Stage
Face Painting until 2 pm Courthouse Lawn
11:00 am: Stephen Christoff Virtuoso musician playing a variety of period instruments - Garfield Center for the Arts
11:15 am Dover Dancers 18th Century dancing demonstration - Main Stage
11:30 am: Punch and Judy Puppet Show Courthouse Portico
- Algonkian People of the Revolution
- A cultural experience with Drew Shuptar Courthouse Side
- Jolly Tars Sea shanties, banjo, guitar and harmonica transport audiences back to the days of wooden ships and iron men - Foot of High Street Stage

12:00 pm: Freedom For All? African american Revolutionary War Heroes Sumner Hall musical production - Garfield Center for the Arts
- Garnet Tiger Chorus children's group Main Stage
- Slim Harrison Childrens' music Courthouse Portico
- Walking Tour of Historic Chestertown $10 person tickets and start of tours at Info Booth Information Booth

12:30 pm: Stephen Christoff Virtuoso musician playing a variety of period instruments Foot of High Street Stage
- Dover Dancers 18th Century dancing demonstration Courthouse Portico

12:45 pm: The Country Current Premiere United Stages Navy country bluegrass group - Main Stage
01:00 pm: Walking Tour of Historic Chestertown $10 person; tickets and start of tours at Info Booth Information Booth
- Algonkian People of the Revolution A cultural experience with Drew Shuptar Courthouse Side
- Anne and Ridley Enslow Music of american Colonies Historical Society of Kent County
- Punch and Judy Puppet Show Courthouse Portico

1:15 pm: James Forten Portrayal Renowned African american businessman and abolitionist Garfield Center for the Arts
1:30 pm: Jolly Tars Sea shanties, banjo, guitar and harmonica transport audiences back to the days of wooden ships and iron men - Foot of High Street Stage
1:55 pm: The Chestertown Resolves Historical proclamation read by Jim Landskroener Main Stage
2:00 pm: TEA PARTY RE-ENACTMENT High Street
3:00 pm: Walking Tour of Historic Chestertown $10 person; tickets and start of tours at Info Booth Information Booth
4:00 pm: Vendors Close-Festival Ends for the Day High and Cross Streets
4:30 pm: SULTANA Sailing Chestertown Marina