The 2024 Program Announced
Black Magic Circus will return in 2024 with a lively variety show for Vaudeville In The Street. Photos by Laura Stutzman
A Secretary of War, Jazz, a General, an African American author, Classical Guitar, The Civil War in Song, Carriage Rides, Model Ts, Playing Cards, Black Magic Circus, Songbirds, and more await at the 2024 Victorian Chautauqua.
The fourth annual Victorian Chautauqua Festival unfolds in the Historic District of Mountain Lake Park on Saturday, July 6th, and Sunday, July 7th.
The weekend-long Victorian Chautauqua schedule will present multiple performances under three large tents and in the street, all located within the Historic District of Mountain Lake Park. One tent dedicated to Kid-Tauqua children's programming will have additional activities to keep the little ones engaged and in wonder.
Mayor Don Sincell describes the festival as the town's crowning jewel. In 2024, significant access upgrades have enhanced Leo Martin Memorial Park.
"Most activities occur in the new park," said Sincell. Last fall, the town contracted to add pavers surrounding the stage, the addition of fresh sod, and sidewalks for easier wheelchair access. We will also have new permanent public restrooms installed in time for the festival to accommodate women and men and a shared ADA restroom for wheelchairs and families."
In addition, beautiful landscaping and low walls provide ample seating around the Splash Pad, a popular place to congregate and relax.
"This will certainly be our best year yet," Sincell continues. "I want to encourage all Mountain Lake Park residents to come out over the weekend. Our committee's successful fundraising efforts have enabled us to keep admission free, and for many of our residents, it is within walking distance to attend."
Sincell is pleased his town's history is celebrated each year. He and his Town Council have been active supporters by volunteering on committees and helping in several capacities during the event. Collectively, they see a boost in town pride and a rise of interest in the local history.
Various presentations, performances, and activities offer an exciting weekend for the entire family. The Wheelmen's Brian Birkner will return to demonstrate his high-wheeled bicycle, a sporting mode of transportation that was a novelty at the turn of the last century. Perched five feet off the ground, Birkner makes this early cycling pastime look easy, but onlookers learn to know better.
Wheelman, Brian Birkner enjoys riding his high-wheel bicyle for onlookers. The 52-inch front wheel places him high above pedestrians.
The Model T Showcase will also be displayed on Saturday from 11:00 AM until 3:00 PM. All automobiles are authentic Ford models organized by the Mason Dixon Ts from West Virginia. Some drivers will offer exhilarating rides in "The Park." Club members encourage curiosity and questions about these early automobiles. They enjoy telling stories of how the Model T became America's most popular automobile at the beginning of the 20th century.
A car show expanding into the automobile era will be new this year. The classic cars on display will date back to the mid-20th century and earlier. The automobile revolution freed travelers from railroad stops, opening up a new world of destinations.
Bill Ramsey, President of the Mason Dixon Model Ts, takes guests on a joyride through the Historic District.
True to Mountain Lake Park's past, carriage rides will be available on Sunday afternoon. Otis and Zeus, two mammoth Percheron draft horses, will don plumes for reminiscent rides. Experience the past while taking in the charm of early transportation.
When planning the weekend, the program committee honors the town's fascinating history as Maryland's original Chautauqua resort community. Founded in 1881, Mountain Lake Park was modeled after Chautauqua, New York's successful retreat, which included summer-long programming and religious camp meetings. Besides being a popular mountain getaway along the B&O Railroad, the town boasted a cultural, educational, and entertaining lineup of presenters with an added appeal of outdoor recreational activities. It was a special place back then and remains so today, according to Sincell.
Within the Historic District, over 60 original structures built at the turn of the last century remain as remnants of the past. Boardwalk Tours on the Town Trolley have remained popular and will run throughout the weekend. Knowledgeable tour guides will describe the Victorian-era Historic District as the Trolley passes through fanciful examples of rural architecture indicative of lifestyles dating back to 1882. For those who prefer a leisurely stroll under the tall oak trees, self-guided walking tour maps are available. A mobile app audio-guided tour is also available for download by searching Mountain Maryland Gateway To The West.
The Town of Mountain Lake Park hosts the event, working with festival organizers to close streets and lend the public grounds at Leo Martin Memorial Park. Maryland Humanities, the Maryland State Arts Council, and the Garrett County Arts Council all help fund adult programming. The Community Trust Foundation, Mountain Maryland Gateway To The West Heritage Area, Heritage Areas Authority, First United Bank & Trust, and Edward Jones provide additional support. Arrons provide presentation screens, and NeuBeam offers free WiFi all weekend long.
Traveling from Gettysburg, tintype collodion photographer Dave Wilson revives the earliest form of photography using authentic period equipment. Wilson has perfected this authentic technique to transport his subjects back in time. Come in costume, or he will have a limited number of costumes for those who also want to dress the part. Photographs in contemporary clothing can be equally captivating.
Besides vintage photography, people can also capture their likeness in a beautiful portrait tradition from long ago. Hand-cut silhouettes by Lauren Munney make a wonderful family heirloom or treasured gift. Adults are often surprised at how flattering these miniature regal portraits can be. Lauren travels the world, sharing her remarkable talent with nothing but paper and scissors. In just minutes, what appears to be a continuous flow of precise cuts becomes a stunning shadowy profile likeness from black paper.
The fun continues with The Beard & Mustache Contest, a tradition of friendly competition to win the Hairyman trophy cup. Registrations will take place on the day of the competition. This event joins the Women's Hat Competition, a creative opportunity for women to reinvent a beloved Victorian fashion accessory that was a point of pride and stature in the early days of railroad travel.
Entries for the Beard & Mustache Contest and the Women’s Hat Competition pose for a commemorative photo.
Don't forget Kid-Tauqua, a weekend of programming and activities for youngsters, fully sponsored by Samantha Funding The Arts. Music, presentations, tie-dye, bubbles, make-n-take, and more will keep children occupied and focused all day. Allow time for the splash pad for a wet and wild time. Parents are encouraged to bring towels if their children plan to get wet.
Two workshops give children an opportunity to experience the arts. Classical Guitarist Mark Edwards will introduce children to the guitar. With a set of practice instruments, children can learn the basics of string instruments under expert guidance. Jo Ann Dadisman will teach the art of puppetmaking. Children will learn to bring characters to life using their imaginations and creativity.
The curated Artisan Row will feature unique, handmade items for gifts or personal collections. Exhibitors will display jewelry, textiles, pottery, bee products, and more. Objects range from works of art for display to creations for everyday use. Some artists will demonstrate their craft and will happily answer any questions about their work.
Start your day with Steeple City Coffee and follow up with tasty dishes from D's Eats, Rotary French Fries, hand-dipped ice cream from Lakeside Creamery, and the famous hand-pressed lemonade from the GaCo Robotics Team. Stay all day and grab dinner to go.
Volunteers and attendees are invited to dress in period costumes to enhance the immersive experience. The weekend event resembles a Renaissance festival only set in a Victorian theme. The festival's centerpiece is the original Ticket Office, a former companion building to the Bashford Amphitheater, razed in the 1940s. The Ticket Office is now home to an extravagant collection of photos and artifacts from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The latest self-guided exhibition will allow visitors to learn about Mountain Lake Park's history, or a trained volunteer can answer specific questions. A mural displays an impressive interior view of the Amphitheater, greeting visitors as they enter.
The Ticket Office Museum and Gift Shop will be open throughout the weekend.
A complete program schedule is now posted online at vc-mlp.com. Select the "Program" tab to view each tent's programming lineup. By popular demand, most presentations will be scheduled for one performance on each day so attendees will have an opportunity to see everything throughout the entire weekend. During the 30-minute breaks, Vaudeville In The Street features lively music and unusual acts in the round for an up close and personal experience.
"In just four short years, this festival has become the perfect family event of the summer," said Mark Stutzman, the festival's promoter. "We are fortunate to have so much support and enthusiasm behind it. I think our town's founders would be pleased."
Additional private sponsors include The Gilbert & Schlattman Family, Mary Helen & Bob Spear, Laurie & Bill Grant, Don & Suzie Sincell, The Rev. Dr. Chip Lee and Kathleen Gibbs, Tom Shelton, Marthe McClive, Patricia Mullinix, and Dr. Thomas & Kathy Johnson. Anyone interested in sponsoring or donating to the festival can do so online or by contacting organizers at VictorianChautauqua@gmail.com. The Mountain Lake Park Historical Association (MLPHA), a nonprofit, hosts and finances the event. Sign up online to become an email subscriber and receive the latest updates and details about performances. vc-mlp.com Volunteers are welcome. An online form is available to apply and to select areas of interest.
