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Bath Fest is an annual arts and crafts fair held each May in the town of Historic Bath, North Carolina. The festival provides a venue for artisans in the community to display and sell their crafts, and at the same time, an opportunity for residents and visitors to come together to celebrate local talent and to enjoy fun activities for the entire family. Exhibitors at Bath Fest are of all ages and display a multitude of items ranging from traditional pottery and jewelry to paintings and photography that depict local scenery. Everything is hand-made, and the artists are usually onsite, available to answer questions or demonstrate their craft. The festival was originally known as Bath Fun Day and was originated by Bath Commissioner, George Mohorn. The event transitioned in 2006, when Mr. Mohorn decided another generation should organize the event. The Bath Fest Committee was formed and their mission is to stimulate an interest in the Arts in the community, while still maintaining the fun component that attracts visitors to the fair each year. An estimated number of 1,000 visitors regularly attend Bath Fest. Each year, Bath Fest is scheduled to coincide with the first weekend of National Tourism Week and Bath State Historic Site Open House. Historic Bath, the state-run organization that administers the town's historic sites, participates in National Tourism Week with its Open House, which provides free admissions to some of Bath's main attractions, including the Palmer-Marsh House, Bath's oldest residence dating back to 1751, and Bonner House, built on a high point near the water in 1830. St. Thomas Episcopal Church, built in 1734 and the oldest existing church in North Carolina, is also open to the public. This allows visitors to the festival an opportunity to enjoy some of the town's unique features and learn about its Colonial past. Docents dressed in period costume offer tours and demonstrate traditional skills such as stenciling.
Another main attraction at Bath Fest is the annual Bath Cut-Throat Croquet Tournament held on the picturesque lawn behind Bonner House. Players clad in traditional white dress compete in this cut-throat style event and spectators are welcome to bring a lawn chair and enjoy!
The 2009 edition of Bath Fest and Historic Bath Open House will be held Saturday, May 16th, from 11am-4pm. All the events and activities will be free to the public, with the exception of the Croquet Tournament, which requires pre-registration and a $35 fee per player. For directions to the festival, click here. For more details about the festival, call 252-923-5181, or email us.
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