From Havre de Grace Main Street, Inc.:
Join Havre de Grace Main Street, Inc., as we celebrate the “Graw of It All” with our Fourth Annual Graw Days Festival & Gala on Saturday, October 8 with our street festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and our over the top and back to the
Roaring Twenties Gala from 7:30 to 11 p.m.
You may have heard there have been a few changes, tweaks and additions to the event this year – well, maybe a tad more than a few! This year we are featuring some new touches that you just don’t want to miss! Such as:
–The Bank of History at Le Banque de Fleure (321 St. John Street) will feature our guests speakers including the always popular Mitch Shank, as well as local historians Erika Quesenbery and Heidi Gladenfelter, who brings a special program on the War of 1812 and Community History Day in Havre de Grace. Don’t miss a very rare display on Four Time Horse of the Year Kelso of Woodstock Farm’s Bohemia Stables loaned by the DuPont Family just for this event!
–Calbraith Perry Rodgers of Havre de Grace sets off on his Transcontinental Flight across the US in 1911. Learn more about the Centennial Flight of Calbraith Perry Rodgers in the Vin Fizz, which began 17 September 1911 courtesy a display and specialty items put together by your Havre de Grace Main Street, Inc.
–Our Graw Day Stage, sponsored by Upper Chesapeake Health, returns where you can enjoy true Honky Tonk music by J.D. Sage at 10 a.m., the Old Crippled & Crazy Blues at noon, Peabody Ragtime Ensemble at 2 p.m. and the Swanee River
Festival Band at 4 p.m.
–Tours of the Graw Racetrack are being offered by National Guard Reservation manager Steve Winkler including the interior of the Clubhouse at just $5 per person (children under 5 free). Tours leave on the half hour beginning at 11:45 a.m. at the BB&T Bank parking lot on St. John Street, with the last tour offered at 2 p.m.
–Take it on the run, or at least strike a pose pulling your best mug to be Bonnie & Clyde in front of an authentic 1940s vintage car as local photographer Leo Hepner captures shots of our Graw Days guests and visitors!
–Pony Rides will be offered all day at $3 per ride behind the Market on Washington Street – just look for the horse pennants.
–Carriage Rides are offered at $5 per person at the corner of Congress and Washington Streets.
–Children’s Activities will be centered on Congress Avenue between Union and Washington with sidewalk games and activities with Havre de Grace United Methodist Church, Moonbounce by Restore Church, the Raven’s Mascot Poe sponsored by M&T Bank and Tales the Library Dog!
–We have over 100 vendors and activities in Havre de Grace for Graw Days featuring everything from unique hats for a day at the races, to handcraft jewelry, soaps, textiles, wood furniture, antiques, collectibles, pottery, books, photography, art, watercolors, paintings, sculpture, raku pottery, gourds, baskets, candles, slate art, beach glass, silver, aprons, tote bags, music, sunglasses, woodwork, ornaments, doll clothes, pooch clothes, basketry – and the list goes on and on!
The Graw Days represnt a colorful time in Havre de Grace’s history beginning in 1912 with the construction of the Havre de Grace Racetrack, affectionately known as “The Graw.” The track, located on Old Bay Lane, was considered one of the best racing strips of the American turf and was the main training ground for owners who hoped to win the Kentucky Derby. It also made Havre de Grace a popular stop-off for travelers and gamblers up and down the east coast.
To celebrate this period of our history we feature events and music centered on the Roaring Twenties, with period music and costumes capped off with the period Graw Gala, complete with music, fine dining, signature period cocktails, and a tremendous auction at St. Patrick’s Hall.
The Graw Racing Form, modeled after the historic Daily Racing Form, will contain a complete schedule for the day’s activities and their locations and will be distributed throughout the festival.
For more information about the Graw Days Festival, or for tickets to the Graw Gala, or if you’d like to know more about Havre de Grace Main Street, Inc., please give us a call at 410-939-1811 or send an email to hdgmainstreet@verizon.net.
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