Family Boatbuilding Week, Holly Point Market, Fish Fry and “Steve Bassett and Friends”
Most everyone should know by now, but once a year, right here on the Middle Peninsula in Middlesex County, people from all over the country get together for a whole week to build a boat to take home and have fun with. It’s amazing to watch families of folks turn stacks of raw wood into sleek, floating watercraft. It happens right here in Middlesex County, VA making it a one-of-a-kind event, that is totally open to the public and within easy driving distance.
Take a short day trip to Deltaville, VA, and visit the 17th Annual “Family Boatbuilding Week” (FBW) at the Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park located at 287 Jackson Creek Road. Watch families build hands-on with woodworking tools, work as a family team to problem solve, and share a wonderful experience on pristine Mill Creek on the Museum’s waterfront. This all happens July 21st-27th. A Great Skiff Race starts at 10am on Saturday the 27th, followed by the trophy presentation at 10:30 and the Family Boatbuilding Week week-ending Fish Fry at 11am. Come by road or water. Find out more on the Museum’s newly updated website at www.deltavillemuseum.com.
At the end of this year’s Family Boatbuilding Week, over 148 Wright skiffs will have been built at the Museum by more than 1,000 family members working together from across the USA.
Begun in 2002 from a challenge by “Wooden Boat” Magazine to keep wooden boat building alive in the country, FBW was one of several similar multi-day camps started under an imperative to teach small wooden boat building around the US.
Today, in 2019, the Maritime Park’s “Family Boatbuilding Week” is the only remaining week-long school still using real wood planks, a camp atmosphere and traditional building methods.
During the five day camp, families from all over the country build the iconic Deltaville 12’ or 14’ “workskiff” designed by Deltaville boatbuilder John Wright.
The Holly Point Market, Family Boat Building Fish Fry and Groovin’ in the Park all happen the last day of Family Boatbuilding Week on Saturday July 27th.
The Holly Point market, running from 9 am to 1 pm that Saturday, will offer shopping as well as live music, exhibits, creek cruises, Nature Trails and plenty of food. Over 30 vendors will line the paths and Waterfront Park. A produce vendor is also in the works.
The “Cigar Box String Band” will be playing their traditional American music in the Waterfront Park.
The annual Family Boat Building Week Fish Fry will be part of a full day of activities as FBW’s final day. The Fish Fry will be served by the “Bistrobunchers” out of the new Tea House kitchen in the Waterfront Park beginning around 11am. The kitchen will open at 9am with egg sandwiches, adding burgers and BBQ as we go and offer the fish plates starting at 11. The “BistroBunchers” will also serve for Groovin’ the Park with a full menu of hot dogs, burgers, BBQ, bottled water and cold beverages.
Marty’s Swineskins will be serving all his flavors along with Funnel cakes and hot dogs.
On the Fish Fry menu are fish fillets, hot dogs, Cole Slaw, chips and tea. Items can be bought “a la carte” or a plate lunch with your choice of: two fillet sandwiches, two hot dogs, or one of each, chips, and Cole Slaw, sweetened or unsweetened, is included. The Fish Fry ends at 12:30pm, or when the food runs out. Plates are $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12. A la carte is available. The Bistro will also serve burgers. We are working on adding Fish n’ Chips to the menu. Advance tickets can be bought at the Museum office. Stay tuned for more details.
Our old friend Steve Bassett will be bringing his “Friends” to take the Waterfront Stage from 6-8pm at the Deltaville Maritime Museum & Holly Point Nature Park’s Groovin’ in the Park casual outdoor concert series. Sincerely, Iris will open at 5pm. The concert will cap the July 27th activities.
Groovin’ in the Park is the Museum and Park’s casual,” bring your own lawn chair, cooler, and picnic”, concert series held in its Waterfront Park. Food and cold beverages are available.
Advance $10 tickets are available at Nauti-Nell’s and the Museum office in Deltaville during their daily open hours. Tickets are $15 the day of the event and can be purchased at the door. Children under 12 free.
The gate opens at 4pm for those wanting to come early, stake out their favorite spot, and picnic.
On Sunday, July 28th the Turner Lecture Series continues at 2pm with “ The Lens of Jay Fleming.” A photographic chronicler of all things “Chesapeake Bay,“ check out Jay’s stunning body of work at www.jayflemingphotography.com. Refreshments. RSVP
For more information about the Deltaville Maritime Museum, Holly Point Nature Park, Maritime exhibits, Markets, events, concerts, Family Boatbuilding Week, or a 2020 FBW application, simply call the office at 804-776-7200, visit our new website at www.deltavillemuseum.com or e-mail office@deltavillemusuem.com. The Museum and office are open daily 10am-4pm, except Sunday 12-4pm. The Museum and Park are located at 287 Jackson Creek Road off Route 33. Turn right at the Citgo station.
The Park is open from dawn until dusk.
