On the eastern shore of the Chesapeake Bay, close to several major cities yet a world apart, visitors will find a very special place … Talbot County, Maryland. Steeped in history, blessed with natural beauty year-round, and dedicated to cultivating both its cultural sophistication and its small-town pleasures, it may be the best-kept travel secret in America.
Talbot County has long been known for its splendid recreational opportunities, of course, but recent years have upped the ante: first-rate dining options abound; the shopping is everything a fashionista (and her family) could ask for; the arts are nurtured with dedication and zeal – and holiday festivities evoke the spirit of the season in classic American style.
One might expect that such a vibrant community would know how to mark a festive occasion, and indeed, nowhere celebrates the holidays more joyously than Talbot County. During the late fall and winter, the county’s shops and inns, streets and houses of worship, restaurants and residences, and even harbors and boats are a-twinkle with adornments and alive with activities to please all comers.
Kicking off the season are classic Thanksgiving dinners hosted by some of the county’s most welcoming restaurants, including Tidewater Inn, The Inn at Perry Cabin, Harbourtowne Golf Resort & Conference Center – all of which also offer complete classic Christmas dinners — and Robert Morris Inn. Visitors will need the sustenance, as the Friday after Thanksgiving is the official launch of the holiday hoopla!
A centerpiece of that holiday revelry: the Preview Gala held on Friday evening to usher in the Annual Festival of Trees. Organized by The Friends of Hospice (Talbot Hospice Foundation) to benefit its important work, the festival is a multi-faceted event. At the heart of it all are the trees, of course, magically decorated by volunteers ranging from individuals, to businesses, to community organizations. Supporters are asked to design their trees with a common theme in mind; as 2010 marked the 25th anniversary of the Foundation, their interpretations were particularly special.
The holiday trees are displayed in the Gold Room at Easton’s Tidewater Inn, the backdrop for the grand Preview Gala on Friday evening. The centerpiece is the Hospice’s own tree: fifteen feet tall, its branches are graced with white doves memorializing each Hospice patient who passed on during the year. On Saturday, the public is invited to view the trees while enjoying continuous live entertainment, lasting through Tuesday evening. There are also tours on Saturday and Sunday tour of four resplendently decorated holiday homes, each with its own Hospice tree and much, much more. (One recent year, ten tractor-trailer trucks were required to deliver the greenery for the adornment of a single home!) There is also a 5K/10K walk/run co-sponsored with the YMCA, as well as the “Santa’s Got a Brand New Bag Auction” featuring handbags donated by the rich, powerful, or simply famous. The holiday gift shop, also hosted at the Tidewater Inn, is open every day of the festival. The freshly-baked cookies on offer are not to be missed.
For those whose gift shopping isn’t quite squared away, Midnight Madness in St. Michaels, held the first Saturday in December, is the perfect solution. Shops, boutiques, and galleries stay open until midnight; wine and snacks keep fashionistas on their feet; and drawings and prizes reward the weary. Scrooges have no fear – just watching the scores of spirited revelers thronging the magnificently decorated historic streets will while away the time … and soaking up the spirit of the season doesn’t cost a penny!
Also on the first Saturday in December, Easton hosts the “Old Tyme Holiday Parade,” featuring marchers decked out in Dickens-themed costumes. But that’s not all — the Avalon Theater will screen “A Christmas Carol”, holiday trees will be lit around town, and carriage rides will be offered, stepping off from the Tidewater Inn.
Commencing on the second weekend in December visitors will enjoy “Christmas in St. Michaels”, another premier holiday celebration benefitting local charities. Events include a Holiday Gala black tie gathering hosted at Harbourtowne Golf Resort & Conference Center, as well as a classic small-town holiday parade featuring Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa is rather busy that weekend, as he also hosts a breakfast for tots aged three to eight and creates a North Pole wonderland at a local school. There’s also a Christmas & Kitchen Marketplace at the Granite Lodge on St. Michaels’ historic St. Mary’s Square; an old-fashioned Eastern Shore Christmas Dinner; a tour of beautifully decorated 18th and 19th century homes; and musical performances that celebrate the true spirit of the season.
The Gingerbread House Competition & Display at the Woman’s House on St. Mary’s Square memorably combines creativity, competition, and commerce: viewers can learn how to make their own gingerbread creations, peruse the professionals’ offerings, vote on the best rendition, and then purchase their favorites! For those who pack light, the official collectible “Christmas in St. Michaels” ornament is always a favorite memento.
Not to be forgotten, a number of holiday-minded Oxford residents welcome one and all to town with a display of elegantly lighted Christmas and “dock” trees along the waterfront and an entire weekend of holiday-themed events in early December, while Tilghman Island Inn hosts a thoughtfully curated holiday art show.
One of the best ways to enjoy it all: rent a house big enough for the whole family, and come spend the week! Temporary residents are welcome to cut or buy a tree, walk through Pickering Creek Audubon Center or Atkins Arboretum, drive through Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, and pick up unique gifts (and a bit of culture) at Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and the Academy Art Museum. Truly clever moms and dads will go one step further and hire a chef to go with the rental. (A visit by Santa Claus can be arranged as well.)
Wherever visitors stay, they should make the most of the season … the oyster season, that is. Oyster dressing, stew, soup, casserole, Rockefeller, half shell – gourmands can enjoy them when and where they please, whether fresh from the watermen at the dock or fresh from the kitchen of one of the county’s fine chefs.
Easily accessible, yet a world apart, offering recreation, dining, shopping, culture, and holiday fun in welcoming and historic settings … Talbot County is a very special place indeed – all year ‘round.
Talbot County, Maryland: home away from home for the holidays!
About Talbot County, Maryland:
Talbot County, Maryland invites visitors to experience the perfect balance of rural simplicity and urban refinement. With the timeless beauty of the Chesapeake Bay as their backdrop, the county’s sophisticated small towns, charming country byways, and wide array of activities offer something for everyone who appreciates the opportunity to relax, reflect, and renew. The Talbot County Office of Tourism offers comprehensive information and trip planning services at its Easton, Maryland office (1- 410-770-8000) and on its website (www.tourtalbot.org).