With beautiful weather, although a touch of chill, the 19th annual “Scary Halloween” at Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM) and Holly Point Nature Park moved all inside the spacious events pavilion and, thanks to volunteers and staff had plenty of lights, decorations, illusions, and just plain “scary” for everyone.
Folks showed their appreciation by coming out and more than 800 filled the pavilion. The Thursday, Oct. 31, “Scary Halloween in the Park” filled the park with costumed happy Halloweeners!
With acres and acres of space, we have plenty of room for all. DMM, volunteers and staff look forward to having all of you back next year.
It is hoped we listed all of the volunteers, sponsors, businesses and those donating in the list below. We know that more than 70 museum volunteers, groups and organizations stepped up to make this a one-of-a kind night. If I miss anyone, please let me know and I will try to get you in an update. Send to me at wdwrks@va.metrocast.net.
To our volunteers
Your dedication and hard work were, as always, the backbone of this event. From setting up spooky decorations to guiding our guests through the haunted trails, your enthusiasm and commitment were truly inspiring. You brought the spirit of Halloween to life, creating a magical and memorable experience for everyone who attended. Your willingness to give your time and energy is deeply appreciated, and we couldn’t have done it without you.
To our sponsors
Your generous contributions played a crucial role in making this event possible. Thanks to your support, we were able to provide a safe and fun environment for families and children to enjoy. Your sponsorship helped us cover the costs of decorations, treats, and activities, ensuring that our Halloween celebration was a resounding success. We are incredibly grateful for your partnership and belief in our mission.
Together, we made a difference
This Halloween, we saw the joy and excitement on the faces of our visitors, and it was all thanks to the combined efforts of our volunteers and sponsors. Your support not only made this event possible but also helped strengthen our community. We look forward to continuing this tradition and making next year’s Halloween even more spectacular.
Thank you once again for your unwavering support and dedication. We are proud to have such a wonderful team of volunteers and sponsors, and we can’t wait to work with you again in the future.
Volunteers, sponsors, companies
Hurd’s True Value Hardware, Brown’s Marine, The Galley Restaurant, East Coast Boat Lifts, Deltaville Community Association, Middlesex Rescue Squad, M&M Building Supply, VEGA, 7-11 Deltaville, Middlesex High School Key Club, Ahrens’ Artisan Art, Addy’s Colors, Cross Rip Campground, Stephen W. Blue and Associates Inc., Quality Equipment Repair Inc., DCA, Deltaville Sharks Swim Team, Two Salty River Chic Jus Catch’N Up Food Truck, No Quarter Farm, From the Heart Creations, Just 4 You, Delta Marine Construction LLC, Coast Guard, Sandy Bottom, Bryan’s Mobile Auto Glass, American Legion Post 82, DCA Volunteer, Rappahannock Woodworks Inc., LMVFD, Legacy Power, Middlesex Moose Lodge #2401, TBL Pressure Washing, Nauti Nell’s, Walden’s Construction.
Individual Volunteers
Warren Ahrens, Denise Ahrens, Renee Aldridge, Libby Allen, Janie Allen, Roland Anderson, Patricia Anderson, Thomas Armentrout, Mary Armentrout, Lindsey Ballantyne, Wayne Ballantyne, Brenda Ballantyne, Michael Ballato, Joyce Ballato, Jessica Beeler, Catherine Bellows, Nic Bertrand, Sherri Betrand, Stephen Blue, Caroline Boone, Walter Boone III, Phyllis Browning, Brayden Bruce, JoyeLynn Burnett, Robert Burrell, B.N. Butler, Gail Butler, Katie Carnes, Kim Cheshire, Lisa Chodorov, Paul Chodorov, Danielle Clark, Gary Cook, Frank Cooke, Randy Coulson, Betty Coulson, Kelly Cox, Emily Cox, James Cox, Abel Crader, Kimthe Crittenden, Laura Cross, Austin Davis, Abigail DeGraw, Lorelei Cooke, Madison DeGraw, David Dodson, Erin Dodson, Robert Elsaid, Lisa Estes, Bobby Ferguson, Josh Ferguson, Becky Ferrell, Patricia Figueroa, Luka Fomin, Nina Fitchett, Trey Fitchett, Brian Fletcher, Sondra Groft, John Horsting, Michael Hurd, Beth Hurd, Carter Hurd, John Koedel, Marion Lancaster, Mark Lenz, Allen Leonard, Joyce Major, Mike Martell, Trevor Martin, Bryan McCauley, Katy McCue, Chris McCue, Katie McCue, Maggie McNeill, Emory Minter, Karen Minter, Michael Moore, Mitzi Moore, Stacey Moore, Paul Murray, Brad Norris, Kelley Oakland, Carter Peaseley, Seth Penney, Kimberly Penney, Mary Peters, Bill Powell, Susie Powell, Cheyenne Ramsey, Chelesa Raymer, Mike Raymer, Blake Robins, John Robins, Shawn Rogers, Abigale Russell, KK Sears, Shannon Sears, CJ Sears, Courtney Sibley, Norman Sibley, Elizabeth Sibley, Maria Sibley, Raynell Smith, Robert Tabler, Marvin Tiller, Linda Wallace, Henry White, Marie Wilding, Kamdyn Wilds, and Zayden Williams.
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November is now here and with it Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park’s 15th annual “Holiday Gift Market” is happening on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 28, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
This is the maritime park’s “shopper friendly” local alternative to the traffic and congestion of the pre-Christmas mall shopping and the annual appearance of our popular “Bistro Benedict Bloody Mary Brunch.”
Beat the mall crowds on “Black Friday,” enjoy the fall colors in the park and shop local too! All the vendors for the Holiday Gift Market are bringing their best seasonal gift items just in time for the Holidays. If you are looking for that extra special and unique gift for a certain someone for Christmas? You can find it here.
You get it all as our vendors bring out their Christmas and gift oriented items for this special market. The open area of the events pavilion will house some of the vendors for browsing.
“Billz Bistro,” located in the kitchen of the events pavilion’s North wing, opens at 8 a.m. with a special “Bistro Benedict Bloody Mary Brunch” breakfast only holiday menu. The “Bistrobunchers” will offer their famous local egg sandwiches and made from scratch fresh baked biscuits and breakfast plates. We will also be serving our own signature “BistroBenedict,” made with our specially prepared hollandaise sauce. This new dish can be ordered with either bacon, country ham, or crab. Bloody Mary’s, screwdrivers, and mimosas will be offered at our popular bar for a true holiday brunch. We will definitely do the new bacon bloody Mary, so popular the last two years. The new “orange smash” may be on the menu.
We began this special brunch at the Gift Market back in 2014 and folks have been asking: “When can we get that delicious Bistro Benedict again?” Well, here you go — Nov 28. It’s all on the menu. We only get enough crab for 16 crab benedicts, so come early if that’s your thing.
I am planning on some type of background music. I am working on more music for the day. Watch the Sentinel and our website for more info.
Holiday vendors will line the avenues and gardens toward the waterfront as the Park shows off its autumn colors. The leaves of the forests and arbors are now into their vivid reds, yellow and orange against an evergreen backdrop. All the Park’s trails and gardens are open for strolling or just sitting and relaxing. Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate at Billz Bistro, sit and enjoy.
Make sure to bring the kids. Karen Minter and her intrepid volunteers will be set up either in the Turner Fountain area, weather permitting, or in the tea house with activities for kids of all ages and will have games or craft activities depending on the weather.
The Nationally Historic Registered F.D. Crockett will be at the dock offering tours of this beautifully restored bay buyboat. Boat Shop volunteer Director John England and his worthy crew will also be manning Hulls 104 and 105 at the Boat Shop.
Weather permitting, Captain Pete will be bringing DMM’s “Jenny May” Deadrise to the Waterfront for free creek cruises of Jackson and Mill creeks.
Well-known historical author, Larry Chowning, will be offering and signing his books on the history of the bay just in time for Christmas. Larry is “the” noted historian of the Chesapeake Bay and its working watermen and their vessels. He has also revised and updated a wonderful area Civil War history; “Soldiers at the Doorstep.” Depending on the weather, Larry will be either at the tea house outside or in the boat shop.
Make sure you take a walk on the “Pierwalk” and floating dock to enjoy the F.D. Crockett and the completed Living Shoreline.
The Deltaville Maritime Museum opens early at 9 a.m. with DMM presenting several new and improved exhibits. The Museum gift shop will be open with unique gifts for everyone. Check out the stuffed toys for the kids.
The 20th anniversary “Pictorial History of the Maritime Park” is the perfect Christmas gift and on sale at the gift shop. DMM will remain open until 4 p.m.
All craftsmen, artists and vendors who have gift and Holiday oriented items and wish to be a vendor at the Holiday Market, call the DMM office. There is plenty of room in Holly Point Park.
Deltaville Maritime Museum and Holly Point Nature Park, a volunteer, all donation, nonprofit organization, is located in Deltaville at 287 Jackson Creek Road.
To find out everything you need to know about DMM and the park, donate, volunteer, or become a member with all its many benefits visit our website or Google “Deltaville Maritime Museum.” You may also email the museum office at office@deltavillemuseum.com, write to P.O. Box 466, Deltaville, VA 23043 or call the office at 804-776-7200.