The 2023 Victorian Chautauqua. All Aboard!
Two U.S. Presidents, Frederick Douglass, the Swedish Nightingale, the owner of Briar Bend Seminary School for Girls, Shadow theater, live blues music, the history of Native Americans in Garrett County, and so much more will be at this year’s Victorian Chautauqua.
Free up your weekend of Saturday, July 8th, and Sunday, July 9th for another memorable Festival in Mountain Lake Park.
The weekend-long Victorian Chautauqua schedule will present 45-minute-long programs under three large tents and inside the Assembly Hall all located within the Historic District of Mountain Lake Park. One tent is wholly dedicated to Kid-Taquau children’s programming and activities to keep the little ones engaged and in wonder throughout the day.
Boardwalk Tours on the Town Trolley will be running all weekend. Experienced guides will talk about the Victorian era’s Historic District in Mountian Lake Park as you pass by fanciful cottages dating back to 1882. There are self-guided walking tour maps available for those who prefer a leisurely stroll under the tall oak trees.
High-Wheelin’
Wheelman, Brian Birkner will be returning to demonstrate his high-wheeled bicycle, a sport, and mode of transportation that was a novelty at the turn of the last century. The Model T Showcase will also be on display Saturday only from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM. All automobiles are authentic Ford models brought to you by the Mason Dixon Ts in West Virginia. Some drivers will offer unforgettable rides in The Park.
Tintype photographer, Chris Jones revives the earliest form of photography using wet plates on metal and glass. This authentic technique will transport his subjects back in time. Courtney Cauthon will be joining Chris to help you dress the part with her extensive collection of period attire including all the accessories. Her expertise in the Victorian era will make her subjects an apparition of days gone by.
Capture your likeness in a beautiful style from long ago. Hand-cut silhouettes by Lauren Munney make a wonderful family heirloom or treasured gift. Adults are often surprised at how flattering the depth and details pulled from these miniature, regal portraits are. Lauren travels the world sharing her remarkable talent, and in just minutes, your profile emerges from black paper with skilled precision and scissors.
Wholesome Competition
The Beard & Mustache Contest has become a tradition of friendly competition honoring the winner with the Hairyman Trophy Cup each year. This event will be paired with the all-new Women’s Hat Competition, a creative opportunity for women to reinvent this beloved Victorian fashion accessory that was a point of pride and stature in the early days of railroad travel.
Don’t forget Kid-Tauqua, a weekend of programming and activities for youngsters. Music, presentations, tie-die, bubbles, make-n-take, and much more will keep children busy all day. Dedicated times for the splash pad will allow a wet and wild time. Bring towels if your children plan to get wet.
Of course, the curated artisan market will exhibit wonderful handmade items for gifts or your personal collection, and plenty of food and hand-pressed lemonade will be available for purchase.
A full program schedule is now posted online at vc-mlp.com. Select the tab called “Program” to see both Saturday and Sunday’s lineup. By request, most presentations will be scheduled for one performance on each day so attendees will have a chance to see everything throughout the entire weekend. During the 30-minute breaks, be sure to stop by the Vaudeville In the Street tent to catch unusual acts and musical performers up close and personal.
More details will be shared about specific performances. Become an email subscriber to receive the latest updates. Whatever you enjoy most at the Victorian Chautauqua will become a lasting memory for your family’s history book.
