October 18, 2008 ~ 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Celebrate the harvest season at the 3rd Annual Trappe-toberFEST, a community sponsored, alcohol-free event held in downtown Trappe on Saturday, October 18 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. (rain or shine). Bring the family or grab some friends and a Frisbee for a day filled with great music, demonstrations, fine art, craft vendors, children’s activities, good food and fun for all ages. Admission and parking are free. This year’s event brings back tried and true favorites, along with several new exciting highlights.

Enjoy old fashioned small town charm from the ground up! The Town of Trappe is surrounded by acres of beautiful farmland. What better way to take in the view than to go up, up and away on a (tethered) hot air balloon ride? Weather permitting, rides will begin around 3 p.m. Get your ticket early to experience this unique perspective available to riders of all ages. Prices are $8 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

Soar on a musical journey with an expanded lineup of some of the best performers in the region entertaining in many styles geared toward audiences of all ages. This year Trappe-tobeFEST will host two performance stages. The Habitat for Humanity main stage opens at 10 a.m. with a rousing concert by Rocknoceros, the Washington, DC area award winning band that makes very cool music for kids of all ages that is both educational and flat out fun. The Habitat for Humanity stage is sponsored by Paris Foods and will feature some of the area’s best performers, including the popular regional band, Justin Ryan & All Together Spent, Kentavious “KJ” Jones, and the soulful voice of 17-year-old Chelsea Lee.

The Firemen’s Stage is sponsored by Mr. Rooter and will feature return performances by local favorites Scotts UMC Gospel Choir, Old Friends Gospel Group, Bay Country Barbershop Chorus, Glen Wong & the Uke Boys, Ellery Adams & Rescue Team, and Mike Elzey, with an introduction from students of the Mike Elzey Guitar Studio.

Top off the day with a fantastic free bluegrass concert on the Habitat Stage from 3-6 p.m., starting with The Fitzmaurice Band, followed by the Good Deale Bluegrass Band, featuring Mike Auldridge from the Seldom Scene.

The fun will spill out into the streets as Magician Mike Rose will perform strolling and stage magic, along with visits from Old West sharpshooter Annie Oakley and a German style organ grinder.

Get the memo on the demo! Hang out at this year’s demonstration area, sponsored by Paragon Light. Prepare to be fascinated by what you see. Demonstrations will be given throughout the day, including State Police K-9 demonstrations, a search and rescue helicopter display, line dancing with Steve Moody, swing dancing with the Amanda Showell Dance Studio, remote control toys, gymnastics routines, rock blasting, sand sculpting, and more.

The street fair features vendors, crafters, and community booths. Get an up close look at artists at work during the Trappe Plein Air Paint Out. Winning entries will receive cash prizes and there will be an exhibit and sale of freshly painted plein air works.Walk down memory lane at the Trappe Rural Life Museum’s display of local memorabilia. Talbot Humane will have animals available for adoption and the Maryland Park Service Scales & Tales program will present an up-close look at wildlife. Children may enjoy “bouncy” rooms, pony rides, a climbing wall, hay rides, face painting, storytelling, mural painting, and many other activities. Scarecrow making will be a popular activity, with a scarecrow contest along Main Street.

Local eateries, churches, and organizations will serve food throughout the day. Take your pick of seafood, pit beef, wings, fries, soup, ice cream, popcorn, candy apples, funnel cakes, cotton candy, hot cider, and more. Mitchum’s Market will serve festival specials, along with German beers. Or treat yourself to an upscale dinner at Mitchum’s Steakhouse.
The Trappe Volunteer Fire Department will serve food while hosting a Fire Prevention Month Open House, including health and safety demonstrations, foam spraying demo, giveaways, and a visit from Smokey Bear. The Seven Sisters Quilting Guild will display quilts and raffle a handmade quilted item.

The Tour de Trappe road rally, with routes of 11, 26, and 52 miles, will offer cyclists the chance to ride Trappe’s backroads amidst the surrounding countryside. Proceeds from Tour de Trappe benefit the Mid-Shore Fresh Start program in memory of Matt Wieland.

For more information, visit www.trappemd.net or contact the Trappe Town Hall at 410-476-3170 or email trappeindex@verizon.net.