Farmer’s Market, Cruises at Maritime Park Saturday

By bill Powell

The Peninsula’s “Premier” Farmer’s Market continues from 9am-1pm this Saturday, July 27^th, at the Deltaville Maritime Museum and will feature over 40 exciting vendors under the arbors of Holly Point Nature Park. Billz Bistro, the Museum galley, will open at 8am with coffee and egg sandwiches.

I know it’s hard to believe, but it has been just over a year since the devastating fire that took the Museum and John’s Events Pavilion, but, if you have not visited yet, you really need to see how far the Maritime Park has come. The new Pavilion is nearing completion, the East gardens are plantedthe Dolphin Garden is completed, and landscaping has begun on the area between the Pavilion and the new Museum site.

Check out all the local foods.  Find fresh local produce, free-range eggs, cheeses, breads, two  local beef vendors, honey, kettle corn, artisan bread, and homemade jellies are all available to help you prepare that perfect meal.. Roam the vendor tents under the Holly Point trees or along the entry lane to find wearable art, paintings, handmade clothing, photographs, wooden bowls and custom signs, handmade soap, quilts, jewelry, Oyster floats, glass art, quilts, jewelry, and lots more!

You can stroll the avenues, paths and waterfront at Holly Point as you shop the myriad vendor tents for everything from Alpaca wool products to Zinnias. Have a seat at one of the picnic tables or Nature Trial benches and relax, and enjoy.

Billz Market factoid: Did you know…goat milk soap is becoming all the rage…why? Goat milk contains natural proteins, amino acids, and vitamins that nourish and moisturize your skin, plus anti-bacterial lactic acid. The soap we call “soap” is made from lye and fats with a highly alkaline content. Further, goat milk soap not only cleanses, exfoliates, and softens, plus, it’s extremely gentle, as its pH level is very close to that of your own skin.

Cleopatra must have known a good thing when she saw it. According to history, she bathed in goat milk… if it’s good enough for Cleopatra, it should be good enough for us! Except for that asp thing!…and maybe the Marc Anthony thing.

Billz Bistro will be open as usual, 8am-1pm with their full breakfast and lunch menu. Don’t miss the new Country Ham biscuit and popular Blastburger.

Check out the Civil War exhibits and ships models in the Mini-Museum starting at 10am.

Don’t miss the waterfront! See our crab shedding tank with live blue crabs. Try your hand at oyster tonging. Check out the wonderful restored buyboat the F. D. Crockett.

Cap’n Pete will be on Farinholt Brother’s restored workboat “Only Son” offering those easygoing “Discovery Cruises” of Mill and Jackson’s Creeks starting at 10am.

The shallop “Explorer” , manned by the “Explorer Society”, will offer the stout of heart on a trip into 1600’s yachting..

Steve Bassett and Robbin Thompson cap the day from 6-8pm on the waterfront stage at Groovin’ in the Park. See related article.

There is plenty of convenient, free parking in our spacious grass parking lots.

Thanks and thanks again to all the volunteers who made a wonderful family boat building week possible! Special thanks to Keith Ruse of Deltaville Boat Yard for providing the week of lunches and refreshments for the whole gang.

Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park, a volunteer, all donation, non-profit organization, is located in Deltaville, VA. at 287 Jackson Creek Road, and by water  on Mill Creek . To get to the Museum and Park, follow Route 33 through Deltaville and turn right across from the Shell Station. The Park is open dawn to dusk all year.

To find out more about the Museum, its offerings, open hours, events schedule, event tickets, donate, become a member, donate or volunteer, visit the website at www.deltavillemuseum.com , or Google “Deltaville Maritime Museum”. You may also e-mail the Museum office at: museumpark@verizon.net, write to Box 466, Deltaville, VA or call the office at 804- 776-7200.