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Paintings on the Armory Wall

Art at the Armory

Waterfowl Festival Headquarters

World-class painters, sculptors and carvers can be found at the site of the Waterfowl Festival Headquarters. Wander through the gallery and take in the majestic feeling of this historic structure. Masks required.

2021 Artists

Carvers

Tom Ahern — Tom Ahern Bird Sculpture, Bethlehem, PA
Ivie A. Elliott, Jr. — Elizabeth City, NC
Rich Smoker — R.W. Smoker Wildfowl Carving, Marion, MD
Ross Smoker — R.K. Smoker Waterfowl Carving, Selinsgrove, PA
Herb Watson — Pocomoke, MD
Rick Watson — Atlantic, VA

Painters

Sue deLearie Adair — Schenectady, NY
Al Barker — Bordentown, NJ
Linda Besse — Mead, WA
Ray C. Brown, Jr. — Lake Forest, CA
Al Dornisch — Ridgway, PA
Ned Ewell — Cockeysville, MD
Carol Heiman-Greene — Orange, CA
Rebekah Knight — Deepwater, MO
Rob Leslie — Turnersville, NJ
Sara Linda Poly — Creative Hand, Easton, MD
Mary Pritchard — Chestertown, MD
Julia Purinton — Medusa Studio, Warrenton, VT
Jim Rataczak — Circle Pines, MN
Steve Rogers — Lewes, DE
Joe Seme — Wilmington, NC
C. Keith Whitelock — Salisbury, MD

Sculptors

Jim Green — Hermosa, SD
Roger Martin — Albemarle, NC
Scott Penegar — Penegar Studios LLC, Charleston, SC

Location: 40 S. Harrison Street
Exhibit Hours: Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Handicapped access on South Street
Restrooms in the building
No pets except service animals

Art at the Avalon

Painters and sculptors will be exhibiting in Art at the Avalon. Exhibitors welcome the opportunity to share their artistic talent with guests, both experienced collectors and those simply touched by one of the artists’ images. There is nothing like the thrill of purchasing one’s first significant piece of art directly from the artist!

2021 Exhibitors

Painters

Sandy Alanko — Tilghman, MD
Richard Clifton — Milford, DE
Art LaMay — Portraits in Wildlife, Palm Coast, FL
Bruce Woodward — Sykesville, MD

Sculptors

Ronnie Wells — Wells Gallery, Salado, TX

Location: 40 E. Dover Street
Bus Route: Blue
Exhibit Hours: Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Masks Required

Conservation Partners

Visit organizations throughout the Festival who share Waterfowl Chesapeake’s mission of conservation and support of waterfowl habitat in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Waterfowl Chesapeake, the Festival’s affiliate organization, invites local conservation organizations to exhibit at the Festival — this year showcasing their work throughout the Festival. Many of the science, education, advocacy and service organizations in the region are here again along with some new ones. Come visit the interactive exhibits and meet the folks saving our Eastern Shore habitats. You will find exhibits at the Chesapeake Marketplace (Easton Middle School) and the Sportsman’s Pavilion (Elks Lodge).

Chesapeake Marketplace

Academy Art Museum — Easton, MD
Adkins Arboretum — Ridgley, MD
Bay Journal — Fredericksburg, VA
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum — St. Michaels, MD
Talbot County Master Gardeners — Easton, MD (one day only)

Sportman’s Pavilion

In the Exhibitor Tent:
Ducks Unlimited
ShoreRivers (Saturday Only)
Outside:
Outside BB Gun Exhibit with National Wild Turkey Federation
Archery Exhibit with Isaac Walton League & Elks — Easton, MD

Artifacts Exhibit

Easton High School Cafeteria

Fifty years ago, the first Waterfowl Festival was born to both celebrate the Eastern Shore’s unique heritage and raise awareness of the challenges to the region’s beautiful environment. In this exhibit, visitors learn about the evolution of waterfowling from an economic necessity to the sport of today. Some of these seldom seen treasures, on loan from private and museum collections, date back hundreds of years, and include decoys, guns, gunning boats, and countless related items. Many are priceless rarities, offered up by collectors.

Location:
723 Mecklenberg Ave.

Bus Route: Blue

Exhibit Hours: Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2021 Exhibitors

  • Rod Benjamin, Church Creek, MD
  • Gary Campbell, Delmarva Decoy Collectors Assn., Salisbury, MD
  • Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, MD
  • Edward Dean, Church Creek, MD
  • William Freng, Berlin, MD
  • Robert N. Hockaday, St. Michaels, MD
  • Bob Jester, Eastern Shore Decoys, Ocean City, MD
  • Ron Lewicki, Midlothian, VA
  • Lawrence Myers, Oxford, MD
  • Ronnie and Kim Newcomb, Church Creek, MD
  • Henry Stansbury, Catonsville, MD
  • C. John Sullivan, Fallston, MD
  • Row Terry, Chincoteague, VA
  • Ward Museum of Wildfowl Art, Salisbury, MD

Tasting Pavilion

Enjoy the best of Maryland wines, craft brews and unique foods!

Celebrating our excellent Maryland vintners, brewers and producers of other gourmet items, you are sure to have a tasty experience when you visit this popular venue. Offering wines and beers, cheeses and sweets, this is a palate-pleasing pavilion!

In addition to needing a Festival badge or ticket to enter, there is a $10 fee for the wristband and glass that allows anyone 21 and older to taste the wines and beers.

Beer and wine by the glass and bottles (to take home) are also available for purchase.

Location: Tent across from 40 S. Harrison Street

Bus Route: Blue

Exhibit Hours:
Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2021 Tasting Exhibitors

Tasting Pavilion Exhibitors
Clare’s Nutty Concoctions — Bishopville, MD
Cove Point Winery — Lusby, MD
Eastern Shore Brewing LLC — St. Michaels, MD
Jamaica’s Finest Cocktails & Mixes — White Plains, MD
Olivins — St. Michaels, MD
Olney Winery — Beltsville, MD
Our Greek Market, LLC — St. Michaels, MD
Pretzelphoria — Lancaster, PA
RAR Brewing — Cambridge, MD

Sportsman’s Pavilion

Elk’s Lodge – Sportsmen’s Tent, Molly’s Tent, Diving Dogs, Craft Brew Pub

Outdoor enthusiasts and sporting visitors can delight in the array of Sportsman’s Pavilion vendors, offering everything from big-game hunting adventure trips to the smallest fishing lure. Find outdoor apparel from hats to boots, calls to lure the geese, and taxidermy to stuff the ones bagged.

Location: Easton Elk’s Lodge, 502 Dutchman’s Lane

Bus Route: Blue

Exhibit Hours: Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

2021 Sportsman’s Pavilion Exhibitors

Area 51 Layout Boats
Barbour – Equine Impressions
Banded/Avery Outdoors
Basketman, The
Bass Pro Shops
Bay Life Apparel
Beltway Merch
Benelli USA
Braeval
C & C Outfitters
Chene Gear
Choptank Transport
Dabbling Duck Co.
Dega Dog Treats and More
Dixie Decoys
Downed Wings Waterfowl
Duck Blind Coffee Co.
Duck Boat Company, The/Olsen Marine Inc.
East Coast Waterfowl
Ellis Outdoors, LLC & Bucks-Bears Stags, LLC
Estuary Duck Boats/Canvasbacks
Eukanuba/Royal Canine USA
Gallant Heart
Gray’s Sporting Journal
Grumpy Duck Co.
Gunner Kennels
Havoc Calls
Hayes Calls
High ‘N Dry LLC
Hurricane Marsh Outfitters
Jeff’s Outdoor Crafts
K2 Machining & Fabricating
Kent Catridge
Killum Calls
Leadhead Waterfowl
Leaffilter North, LLC
Maryland Watermen’s Association
Molly’s Place
Muller Chokes
National Wild Turkey Federation
Nauti Paws, LLC
Northstar Outfitters
Old Dog Woodcrafts
Rig’Em Right Waterfowl
Salisbury Toyota
Salty Dogs & Sweet Ps Swag
Schrader’s Outdoors
Sean Mann Outdoors
Sequoia Springs
Solder Solutions LLC
Southern Flyway Outfitters
T-Mobile
Tangier Sound Charters
Taxidermy Shop, The
Tekton Game Calls
Tide Hill
Tri-Gas & Oil
Tuckahoe Gunworks & Hydrographics LLC
Valor & Honor Outdoors/RM Custom Calls
Willow Construction
Yeti Coolers/Aqua Pools

Chesapeake Marketplace

Easton Elementary School

The Chesapeake Marketplace is the place to be find that perfect momento from the Waterfowl Festival! Visit and experience painters and carvers at work, demonstrating the techniques and skills required in their creative process. Also, visitors can browse a wide variety of hand-crafted wildlife art and gift-ware, including jewelry, clothing, carvings, and thousands of “one-of-a-kind” items. The Easton Elementary School is also the place to find the artists of the Working Artists Forum.

FREE Venue – No ticket required

Location: Easton Elementary School, 307 Glenwood Ave.

Bus Route: Blue

Exhibit Hours:
Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Restrooms, Food Vendors, Working Artist Forum

2021 Exhibitors

  • Karen Pruitt
  • Quirk-n-Bach Pottery
  • Joselyn Beatty Studio
  • Shifting Sands Sea Glass
  • Fine Feathers
  • Secrets of the Universe
  • HardShell Designs
  • Cold Cabin Creations
  • Reclaimed Creations
  • Wildfowl Carvings
  • 143more LLC
  • Wild Caught Glass Creations
  • ARTNSAW Chainsaw Carving
  • PB Nevins Art
  • Joan Orme Photographer
  • Orme Art
  • Courtney Designs
  • Quillows by Fran
  • Delmarva Sea Glass and Garden Pavers
  • Pieceful Designs Mosaics
  • Business Partner: Allan
  • Framed Bouquets
  • Capt. John’s Fine Art
  • Linda Taffe Watercolors
  • Jessie’s Corner Clay
  • Blackthorn Lavender Nursery
  • Nathan’s Forge, LTD
  • Woven Sculptures & Baskets

 

Kids Programs

Friday:

10 a.m. -12:30        Children’s Story & Craft time with Elaine Allen
10:15 a.m.            Kids’ “Paint a Decoy” Class (space limited)
11 a.m.            Puppet Show with Blackwater Wildlife Refuge
11:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.    Kids’ Art Activities with the Ward Museum
12 p.m. – 3 p.m.        Kids’ Conservation Activities with the Academy Art Museum and Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
1 p.m. -3:30 p.m.        Children’s Storytime with Susan Glick
3:45 p.m.            Kids’ “Paint a Decoy” Class (space limited)

Saturday:

10 a.m. -12:30        Children’s Story & Craft time with Elaine Allen
10:15 a.m. – 2:15 p.m.    Author Cindy Freland, Children’s Storytime
10:15 a.m.            Kids’ “Paint a Decoy” Class
11 a.m.            Puppet Show with Blackwater Wildlife Refuge
11:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.    Kids’ Art Activities with the Ward Museum
1 p.m. -3:30 p.m.        Children’s Storytime with Susan Glick
3:45 p.m.            Kids’ “Paint a Decoy” Class (space limited)

 

Sunday:

10:30a.m. -12:30 p.m.    Children’s Storytime with Jackie McCabe
11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.        Kids’ Art Activities with the Ward Museum

 

Buy, Sell, Swap

Easton High School Gymnasium

Get collectors together, and it is inevitable that they will eventually get to buying, selling and swapping. Haggling is encouraged at this traders’ bazaar with a staggering array of decoys, hunting and sporting memorabilia, sporting books and much more. Prices range from pocket change to the thousands of dollars. Whether a dedicated collector, first time buyer, or browser, any visitor will find something of interest.

2021 Exhibitors

Robert L. Anderson — Norfolk, VA
Baldwin House Antiques — Strasburg, PA
Howard Bauer — Piney Neck Toys, Rock Hall, MD
Rod Benjamin — Church Creek, MD
Reg Birch — R. W. Birch Decoys, Chincoteague Island, VA
Jimmy Bowden — Jimmy Bowden Decoys, Assawoman, VA
Jim and Jackie Britton — Jim Britton Decoys, Reedville, VA
Vernon Bryant — Vernon Bryant Decoys, Perryville, MD
Scott Calpino — 2021-2022 MD Duck Stamp Winner, Bernville, PA
Gary Chambers — Ganso Blanco Publishing, Tyler, TX
John Collier — Collier Decoys, Severna Park, MD
William E. Collins — Capt. Bill Collins Decoys, Centreville, MD
Bill & Pauline Cordrey — Barnegat Light, NJ
Jeffrey Cross — Sporting Relics, Salisbury, MD
Michael & June Daley — Marstons Mills, MA
Katherine Dannenfelser — Atlantic Treasure Discovery LLC, Bridgeville, DE
Dean Dashner — Huinting RIG Books & Decoys, Neenah, WI
Kevin Davidson — Kevin Davidson Signs, Cambridge, MD
John Day — John Day Decoys, Cecilton, MD
Steve and Bill Dorrell — Wye River Antiques, Grasonville, MD
Joe Engers — Decoy Magazine, Lewes, DE
Clarence Fennimore — Columbus, NJ
William C. Gibian — Shorebirds, Onancock, VA
Gary Guyette and Jon Deeter — Guyette & Deeter, Inc., St Michaels, MD
Walt Hallbauer — Java Village, NY
John Henry — H & H Vintage Decoys, Elkton, MD
Ed Jacobs — Elk Creek Decoys, Elkton, MD
Charles Jobes — Charles Jobes Decoys, Havre de Grace, MD
Capt. Bobby Jobes — Havre de Grace, MD
Walt & Cindy Jones — Flyway Decoys, Egg Harbor, NJ

 

Location: Easton High School Gymnasium, 723 Mecklenberg Ave., Easton, MD 21601

Bus Route: Blue

Exhibit Hours:
Friday & Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

William Kennedy — Southlake, TX
Tim Kuca — T. Kuca Decoys, Fredericksburg, VA
Oliver Lawson — Crisfield, MD
Dennis Lee — Newark, DE
Marty Linton — Pocomoke City, MD
Mike & Alyson Martin – A&M Decoys & Folk Art – Syracuse, NY
Ned Mayne — Seaford, DE
Frank McCauley — Frank McCauley Decoys, Bozman, MD
George Meekins — Country Treasures, Preston, MD
John Meredith — John Meredith Decoys, Worton, MD
Mike Milhorn — Up Against the Wall Gallery, Kingsport, TN
Jeffrey A. Moore — Fowl Play Studios, Rising Sun, MD
Rich Moretz — Moretz Decoys, Havre de Grace, MD
Cynthia Newtown — Kinsale, VA
Stephen O’Brien — Copley Fine Art Auction, Hingham, MA
Martha Oster-Beal — MD Historical Society, Baltimore, MD
Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area — Eastern Shore Heritage Inc, Chestertown, MD
Jim and Charlie Pierce — Pierce’s Decoys, Havre de Grace, MD
Eric Pitman — Skaneateles, NY
Lawrence S. Pollin — LSP Decoys, Lavallette, NJ
Phil and Beverly Ryser — Birdwing Studios, Little Silver, NJ
Keith Salkeld — Forked River, NJ
Timothy R. Sieger — Bridgehampton, NY
Chuck Usilton — C & L Antiques, Conowingo, MD
Mike Veasey — Northern Wings Inc, Seaford, DE
Bill Veasey — Elkton, MD
Patrick Vincenti — Vincenti Decoys, Churchville, MD
John & Cinda Walls — Walls Knives by “Cousins”, Salisbury, MD
John Walton — Tidewater Stamp Club, Easton, MD
Walter Williams — Wings Over the Beach Decoys, Knotts Island. NC
Harvey Wilson — Burlington, NJ
Eddie Wozny — Cambridge, MD

Master Gardeners and Easton Utilities Assist in Maintenance of Bay Street Ponds

Talbot County Master Gardener plant specialist leaders will be guiding Easton Utilities and Waterfowl Chesapeake volunteers on February 25, 2020 in a restoration and clean up project that will involve removal of the invasive plants already identified at the site – which is owned by Waterfowl Chesapeake and plays a major role in the outdoor activities of the organization’s Waterfowl Festival.
 
Master Gardeners have identified the invasive species which will be removed by cutting, pulling, pruning and digging and Easton Utilities equipment such as a bucket truck and front loader. Volunteers will be needed for trimming, cutting vines and pulling out invasive plants.
 
The site of the project is located along the north side of Bay Street in Easton, Maryland, between the 322 bypass and Washington Street, adjacent to and West of the Bay Street ponds.
 
Master Gardeners will guide the volunteers to preserve any native plants, as these will serve the important foundation when ultimately replanting the site.
 
Following the initial clean up, WC and Master Gardener leaders will work with volunteers over the next several years to keep the invasive plants at bay. Invasive species will continue to come back unless they are displaced by other vegetation. It is important these invasive plants be managed over a longer period so that ultimately, native plants can be planted to thrive. Once the area is cleared of the invasive plants, WC will replant it with native plants.
 
Volunteers are encouraged to come out to help! Wear your gardening clothes and bring gloves, loppers, clippers or small garden saws. Refreshments provided! RSVP at 410-822-4567 or  so we know you’re coming.

 

Steel framed windows getting preservation makeover

After eighteen months of preparation, Waterfowl Chesapeake (WC) is thrilled to announce that restoration of more than 30 or the original steel-framed windows in the historic Waterfowl Building has begun. In 2018, Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) awarded the organization $100,000 from its Historic Preservation Capital Grant Program for this project. WC was one of only seven award recipients from across the state.

 

“We are so thrilled to get this project underway and grateful to MHT for recognizing the historic relevance of our building and its value to the community,” says Executive Director Margaret Enloe. “Although we’d hoped to get started earlier on this restoration, the timing is perfect. 2020 is Waterfowl’s 50th Anniversary year and this work is a great way to show our commitment to the future.”

 

Waterfowl Chesapeake hired Architectural Window Restoration (AWR), a contractor specializing in historic windows, to do the project while meeting all MHT guidelines. This week and into next, AWR’s expert crew will be carefully removing each window and preparing them for delivery off site where they will be cleaned, repaired, repainted and re-glazed before being reinstalled. The project is expected to be done by summer and, in the meantime, Waterfowl offices are open for business they plan for this fall’s 50th Festival – a once in a century event.

 

The Waterfowl Building (a.k.a. the historic Easton Armory) was built in 1927 after several years of lobbying by local residents and elected officials. While its function was to serve as a training facility for Maryland’s state militia, the building’s drill hall, now called Festival Hall, also served as a community gathering place for everything from boxing matches and basketball games to flower shows, poultry exhibitions and art festivals over the decades. Waterfowl took ownership of the building in the 1980s, after a stint of ownership by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Town of Easton.

 

“We think the Waterfowl Building is a gem on this end of downtown and want to do everything possible to make it shine brightly as a gathering place on the mid-Shore for another fifty years,” says Enloe.

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