Ronnie Dove appears at the 2015 Essex Day Festival. Video by Alice Wagner.
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2015 Essex Day Festival
Click to view The Avenue News Essex Day 2015 photo gallery
40 years of Essex Day, 40 years of good weather
By Dan Baldwin, The Avenue News
With an early morning overcast and pockets of rain showers it seemed like history was going to be made on Sunday, Sept. 27. It looked like it was actually going to rain during the Essex Day Festival, an occurrence that has never happened during the festival’s four decade existence, said Midway Chairperson June Donovan.
The sentiment was shared by nearly every elected official during the opening ceremonies of the 40th annual Essex Day. Along with being known as a family-friendly event that attracts thousands every year, Essex Day is also known as always having perfect weather.
“[Essex Day] is a big event put on by many, many people,” said Essex Day Committee member Joe DiCara who also sang the national anthem to kick off the 40th annual event.
The festival’s invocation was performed by Del. Ric Metzgar.
According to Donovan, this year’s “big event” brought out more than 10,000 people from the Essex area and surrounding communities to the 400 and 500 blocks of Eastern Boulevard.
“It took people a little while to realize it wasn’t going to rain,” she told the Avenue News. “Then they came out in droves.”
Those who came out to enjoy the day were treated to good food, good music and good times.
This year, a crowd of about 100 gathered around the main stage and enjoyed the familiar tunes that filled the air. Main stage acts this year included the Voodoo Yahoos, Sarah and the Igniters, and Doug Lester and Andy Beccio with special guest Ronnie Dove.
“The past two years the audience at the main stage has gotten stronger,” Donovan said.
With more than 240 vendors lining the streets there was certainly something for everyone at this year’s Essex Day.
“Communities have their ups and downs, but this is what brings communities together,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger.
WMAR 2014 Essex Day Photo Gallery
Click to view WMAR 2014 Essex Day 2014 Photo Gallery
2015 Essex Day Festival
Main Stage Entertainment Lineup
Voodoo Yahoos
Doug Lester & Annie Beccio
Sarah & the Igniters
Essex Day: 40 years and still going strong
By Dan Baldwin (Avenue News, 9/22/2015)
It was 40 years ago that Essex made history when the 400 and 500 blocks of Eastern Boulevard were shut down between Woodward Drive and Mace Avenue for the first time. Forty years ago when thousands of people and hundreds of vendors flooded the street for the first time to enjoy a day full of fun and excitement with friends and neighbors.
On June 15, 1975, the tradition of the highly anticipated Essex Day Festival began.
Continue reading at Avenue News.
Stephen G. Brenner, original “Bozo the Clown,” Super Sunday, 1975
June 16, 1975: Stephen G. Brenner, the original “Bozo the Clown” at Super Sunday in Essex, Maryland.
Essex, Maryland Historical Map
1982 in Essex: 8-Tracks and Designer Jeans Stolen
Essex Fire Station #7 Lieut. Charles J. Horner’s Turncoat Donated to Museum
The granddaughter of Lieutenant Charles J. Horner, Blaze, recently donated the 70+ year old fire turncoat of her grandfather along with several historical photographs to the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River.
Lieutenant Horner served at Essex Fire Station #7 which was housed in the building that the Heritage Society currently occupies.
Horner also served as Captain at Station #7 for a short while before passing in 1966.
Donations like Blaze’s help preserve the rich legacy of Essex’s citizens and protectors.
Fire at the Hiway Theatre, Essex, Maryland, August 1963
Fire at the Hiway Theatre, Essex, Maryland
WMAR-TV (Channel 2) News Footage, August 1963
Middle River VFD responds
“Hud” with Paul Newman showing
Special Thanks: University of Baltimore’s Langsdale Library Special Collections
Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame
Come celebrate “The Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame” display that will be unveiled in the museum on April 26th. More information will be posted at a later date. Save the date!
Hartley Wedding Held in Essex museum
By Dan Baldwin (Avenue News, 12/19/14)
Trisha and Bill Hartley celebrated their marriage on Saturday, Dec. 13. But the date, 12/13/14, wasn’t the only unique part of the newlywed’s special day.
The couple exchanged their vows during a small ceremony inside the Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River’s museum in Essex.
According to Secretary Sandy Zinkhan, this was the first wedding to ever be performed inside the building.
The venue was also a proper fitting as Bill Hartley is the museums paranormal director. The museum has a history of being haunted and the groom has held several successful ghost hunts inside the museum.
Trisha Hartley also loves Christmas and was pleasantly happy that the beautiful decorations were still on display in the museum’s avenue, Zinkhan said.
“The Heritage Society of Essex and Middle River was pleased to host the wedding and reception in the museum,” Zinkhan said. “They and their guests had a nice day, as did we.”
