Holly Point Art and Seafood Festival

Maritime Park Festival Offers Something for Everyone

By Bill Powell

The 8^th Annual Holly Point Art & Seafood Festival, held Saturday, October 8^th from 10am-4pm offers something of fun and interest for each and every member of the family. There’s art, of course, in all media, to tickle the most discerning fancy, but there’s also much, much more at this one of a kind fall festival.

What makes this Festival a “one of a kind.”? Location, location, location and diversity! Held on the acres and acres of Holly Point Nature Park, the Festival offers a natural “art” of it’s own with Nature Trails, Gardens, arbors, Fall colors, flowers, benches, picnic tables, natural waterfront, scenic Mill Creek, Pierwalk and  grassy, manicured parking areas all right on the property. Perfect for strollin’ or smoozin”, the Nature Park and Waterfront make an easygoing counterpoint to the many artist and other exhibits and activities.

Diversity? On the grounds, in addition to the over 70 artists, you have a classic car show sponsored by Parts City, the Rappahannock Railroaders Railroad Club with working model trains, lots of pirates, model boats, antique fire engine, free admission to the Museum itself,free creek cruises on classic restored workboats, free rowing excursions on the “Explorer”, and  the ever popular “Wonder Horses” with rides for the kids. The Museum is open with free admission and it’s constantly growing “Civil War in Middlesex” Exhibit.

There’s plenty of culinary diversity on the food court with seafood as well as all your favorite festival foods. The food court is anchored by the Museum’s own galley, Billz Bistro. The Bistro puts on its “seafood apron” turning out succulent hand packed crab cakes, trout fillets, lightly spiced steamed shrimp, the crowd pleasing shrimp salad, hush puppies, Cole Slaw  and their signature barbeque, all served with panache and a smile by the wonderful Bistro volunteers. The Fire Department’s Ladies Auxiliary will be cooking hamburgers, hot dogs, drinks, and baked goods. Terry’s ice cream will be back and an Italian Ice vendor will be new this year. Plenty of great Festival food for everyone.

The pirate crew promises plenty of pirate hi-jinks as well as a “swashbuckling school” to hone such needed pirate skills as sea shanties and learning to say “Aaaargh!”. The pirates always bring a smile to the face of young and old alike.

Henry Lackey of Deltaville Diesel will bring the “clacketa-clacketa” and “chugeda-chugeda” of his unusual antique diesel engines. Looking more like metal sculptures than actual working engines, folks are always amazed as Henry fires up these spinning marvels.

All you car buffs out there who would like to show off your “baby” at the Festival car show. Just stop by Parts City in Deltaville and see Michelle Rother. She will get you signed up. You may also call her for sign up or info at the Parts City number, 804-776-9020.

Got a restored trailerable wooden or unusual watercraft that you’d like to show off at the Festival? Give David Moran at the Museum office a call. We will do our best to allot you a space.

Admission to the Festival is free as is Museum admission on all event days. Parking in our very convenient grass lots is only a $5 donation per vehicle with plenty of mobility restricted parking and some golf carts to aid with moving back and forth if needed.

For more information on Festival artist and media see related article in this paper.

Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park, an all volunteer, all donation, non-profit organization, is located in Deltaville, VA. at 287 Jackson Creek Road, and by water on Mill Creek.The Museum is now a Wi-Fi hot spot. To get to the Museum and Park, follow Route 33 through Deltaville and turn right across from the Shell Station, or follow the festival signs.

To find out more about the Museum, its offerings, open hours, events schedule, event tickets, donate, become a member, donate or volunteer, visit our new website at www.deltavillemuseum.com , or Google “Deltaville Maritime Museum”. You may also e-

mail the Museum office at: museumpark@oonl.com, write to Box 466, Deltaville, VA or call at 804- 776-7200.