If you see a flying monkey, a scarecrow or perhaps lots of women wearing red shoes in Denton August 17th or 18th don’t worry. It’s probably just your neighbors having a little fun at the Caroline Summerfest. This year’s theme is The Wizard of Oz theme. The festival will take place Friday, August 17 from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, August 18 from noon to 9 p.m. The rain date for Saturday only is Sunday, August 19th.
Caroline Summerfest is the traditional end of the summer celebration for area families. The free festival features three stages of regional and local entertainment, a pedestrian parade, fireworks show, strolling performers, free KidZart! activities and food and gaming vendors, benefiting local non-profits. Free parking and shuttle bus transportation is available from the Health and Public Services Building off 6th Street (across from Fire Hall) on both days.
Pre-festival activities
Two special pre-festival events are planned to help area families get in the mood. They include:
•Friday, August 10, 6 to 9 p.m. – Friday Night Cruise-In & Outdoor Movies, – Enjoy classic cars and the classic 1939 Judy Garland film The Wizard of OZ at this free event in downtown Denton. Cars will be parked along Market Street. There will be a deejay spinning oldies music and food vendors. The film will be shown at dusk on grassy lot at Third and Market streets. Attendees are encouraged to bring a canned good to donate to the Denton Police’s food drive.
•Friday, August 17, 10 a.m. – 15th Annual Rivah Run – Think poker on water and you’ll be a winner at this two miles paddling event for children and adults of all ages (under 18 must be with an adult). Any type of paddle craft is eligible for this “poker run,” which begins at Martinak State Park and ends at the Choptank River Yacht Club. Pre-registration is encouraged; $10 per person in advance; $15 day of event. The event is presented by Caroline County Recreation & Parks, Coast Guard Auxiliary #44, Impressive Printing, Easton Cycle and Sport, Benedictine Graphics, Underground Construction, and Choptank River Yacht Club.
Festival highlights
•Musical performances on three stages include Mike Hines and the Look, Jon Benson and Maggie Rogers, New and Used Bluegrass, Mike Butler, Flatland Drive, Down Hollow and Olney Big Band.
•Pedestrian Parade. The parade steps off at Third and Market streets at 7 p.m. on Friday.
•Fireworks display. Fireworks launch from the bottom of Market Street at 9 p.m. on Saturday.
•KidZart!! 2012 Munchkin Land! Ten arts and crafts projects are free for the making. This event is located at the open lot off Market and Third streets under the big tent on both Friday and Saturday until 8 p.m. KidZart is produced by Caroline County Recreation & Parks with sponsorship support from Provident State Bank.
In addition, rides and games, face painting, sand sculpting, street performers and other activities will keep kids and adults busy for hours. And, of course, they can also enjoy the variety of festival foods and gaming vendors, benefiting local non-profits.
Caroline Summerfest is a pet-free, wheel-free and alcohol-free event. Park your bicycle, scooters and skateboards on the bike racks located at Third and Gay streets. For more information, call (410) 479-8120 or toll-free (888) SUNFEST (786-3378) or visit www.carolinesummerfest.com. Like us on Facebook for festival updates.
Caroline Summerfest began in 1989 as a one-night, one-block party celebration for nearly 1,000 cyclists in the inaugural Cycle Across Maryland event. The festival is supported in part by a grant from the Caroline County Council of Arts, the Maryland State Arts Council and the Maryland Tourism Development Board. The Town of Denton and Caroline County Recreation & Parks produce the event with the volunteer support of hundreds of citizens and local non-profit organizations. More than 100 area businesses support the festival through donations and in-kind gifts.
In photo: Mike Hines and the Look, a popular six-piece band, will perform at Caroline Summerfest. For a complete schedule of performances and events visit www.carolinesummerfest.com or call (410) 479-8120 or toll-free (888) SUNFEST (786-3378) or like us on Facebook.
In photo, above: Caroline Summerfest is equally popular adults and kids of all ages. Face painting is one of many activities kids will enjoy. The range of fun programming makes it a perfect outing for the whole family. The festival will take place Friday, August 17 from 5 to 10 p.m. and Saturday, August 18 from noon to 9 p.m. The rain date for Saturday only is Sunday, August 19th.