When Rock Hall FallFest takes place on Sat., Oct. 14 for its 26th anniversary event, the annual small-town street fair that celebrates the “return” of the mighty oyster, as well as a legacy of great live music, will feature nonstop music on two stages during the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. event.
If you love music, our iconic, throwback Main Street is the place to be. There is no admission charge, plenty of free parking nearby, and even a shuttle service to get you to the heart of the action.
Rock Hall FallFest is more than just music, of course. Local shuckers will open approximately 6,000 oysters on the half-shell, and all manner of traditional fair food will also be available, including fried oyster platters from our good friends at Chester River Seafood.
Main Street is closed down to create a casual pedestrian thoroughfare where you can explore our many shops, and discover delightful craft and gift ideas from dozens of local artisans who line the street with their creations.
Children of all ages will delight in the Kids Kourt, with its jugglers, magicians, games, prizes, wildlife exhibits, pony rides, and the occasional dinosaur. All of those activities for the younger set are entirely free of charge.
FallFest is a non-profit event. Proceeds go to various community programs in and around Rock Hall. Supporting FallFest isn’t just fun; it is fun for a good cause. A portion of proceeds this year will go to the Kent County Watermen’s Association scholarship fund that benefits local students with grants to continue their education. FallFest also donates considerable proceeds to The Mainstay, the gem of a year-round live music venue that is the beating heart of Main Street. The Mainstay uses our support to upgrade sound equipment, seating, and to be able to present top-level musical acts at a reasonable price for the public.
Sat. Oct. 14 will be a full day of fun, starting with a 5-kilometer race that begins 9 a.m. at the Waterman’s Crab House on the harbor. The Run for Character 5K benefits Kent County schools and is a perfect appetite-builder for the Main Street festivities.
The music that occupies the two stages goes all the way from blues to country to jazz to swing and back again, highlighted, as always, by the annual appearance of the Catonsville High School Steel Band. This magical group of students that plays the traditional steel pan instruments of Trinidad and Tobago always mesmerizes the crowd with its range and ability. If you’ve never seen this group, you will be amazed.
During the six hours of nonstop music, you will hear bluegrass from The High and Wides; acoustic blues from David Jacob-Strain and Bob Beach; songs of the water by The Three Captains, led by Rock Hall’s own Capt. Mark Einstein; the hard-driving good times of classic rock from The Blake Thompson Band; and The Good Stuff, a new throwback country band led by Philip Dutton, also founder of the Alligators.
One of our opening acts for FallFest is The Chestertown Ukulele Group, organized a decade ago by Jamie Hurley and Ford Schumann, a brother-and-sister act that has grown to include dozens of members. Maybe you’ve heard good ukulele groups, but not one whose repertoire includes Fats Waller, the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash, among others. This is just a good time waiting to happen.
There will also be a short concert by the Rock Hall Elementary Kazoo Band. The band, under the direction of Ashton Moody, was first organized by Tom McHugh, the local music legend and teacher who founded or co-founded both Rock Hall FallFest and The Mainstay.
Tom passed away in 2021, and, as a tribute, we are happy to help keep Rock Hall’s “living room” a vibrant part of the community. Speaking of vibrant, the Mainstay bar will be open during FallFest. Come around back for the best Bloody Mary or Pina Colada you’ve ever had.
Please plan to join us Oct. 14 for all this music, all those oysters, and all that traditional street fair fun that Rock Hall FallFest has brought since 1998. For more information on Rock Hall FallFest in one, handy, web-friendly place please visit www.rockhallfallfest.org for directions, a full list of offerings and activities.
See you in Rock Hall on Oct. 14. Bring your smile and don’t forget your dancing shoes.
