The Chestertown Tea Party Committee is proud to announce that Captain Andrew McCown of Betterton is this year’s Honorary Grand Marshal and the 2019 Edna Ross Award for outstanding service to the community to Ralph Dowling, CEO/President of Peoples Bank. “Cap’n Andy” will be temporarily trading his customary perch atop a Tea Party Re-enactment barrel to kick off the weekend events. The presentation of the Edna Ross award takes place immediately following the parade on Saturday, May 25, 2019 at 11am.
He first participated in the re-enactment as a student at Washington College in 1973, and he has participated in every re-enactment since with exception of only four that he was unable to attend.
Since 1978 Andrew has been the organizer of the script and all of the actors and actresses. There are often locals that he calls on to participate, but the majority of the re-enactors are fellow outdoor educators from Echo Hill Outdoor School where Andrew is an Associate Director.
In addition to Andrew’s extensive involvement in the re-enactment, he served faithfully on the Board of Directors of the Tea Party for many years.
McCown has been an educator with Echo Hill Outdoor School since 1977. He currently also serves as Associate Director, Director of Summer Programs, and Director of the Historic Fleet at EHOS.
An accomplished spoken word artist, Captain Andy performs with the group Chesapeake Scenes, paying tribute through songs and stories to the people who live and work on the waters of the magnificent Chesapeake Bay.
McCown has been extensively involved on the board of ShoreRivers and the Chester River Association for many years, championing the river he loves.
Ralph initiated “Chester Gras” to benefit Kent County Backpacks Program. The celebration has grown in size & popularity resulting in increased Program awareness. In fact, 2016 saw proceeds from the event more than double in its short 3 year existence, a boon for the children who benefit from the Program.
Ralph is also responsible for co-founding the Guest Chef Dinners that benefit Kent County United Way. He not only helps fund & promote the event, he spends days in advance preparing to serve his legendary paella, a highlight of the dinners that sell out every year. In 2016 the Dinner raised over $6200 for our United Way.
Ralph also works w/numerous community boards & organizations in their fundraising efforts. While many of his efforts are behind the scenes, we’ve all witnessed one of his contributions. For the last 3 years Ralph has helped provide & plant more than 4000 tulips in our community. This year we can look forward to more than 1500 blooms.
Truly as a result of his efforts our community is growing & blossoming.
The Chestertown Tea Party Festival is on Memorial Day Weekend, May 24-26, 2019. For more information on the Chestertown Tea Party Festival, please visit http://www.chestertownteaparty.org/