Historic houses, old-time baseball, part of Village Festival
By: Cara Latham
CHESTERFIELD Bridging the old with the new.
Organizers of the Crosswicks Village Festival, now in its 18th year, are trying to expand on that goal this year in more ways than one.
While Chesterfield residents usually get the chance to explore historic houses, watch an 1873-style baseball game, and experience the Civil War re-enactors camping out and performing Colonial-era tasks, this year’s event will expand upon past activities and welcome some new additions, said Mary Ann Springer, coordinator of the festival.
But at the same time, organizers hope to bring out new residents who live in Crosswicks and the rest of Chesterfield Township to unite them together, she said, adding that it’s not just an event for the village.
"It started out as just a little kind of get together for the town," Ms. Springer said. "It has just grown so big. I think it’s really just trying to get the new residents to come to the old part of town and get involved."
This year’s festival will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 30, said Ms. Springer.
Because of the success of the Lego contests held for the younger residents last year, the organizers are bringing it back. Children will be able to bring their creations to be judged at the festival. Also like last year, there will be a pony rides and face-painting among the children’s events.
There are new additions, however, including more sites including some newer houses on the historic house tour. This year there will be nine sites, including the Singleton house one of the oldest houses in Chesterfield, which will be open for tours. The house, built in 1684, has recently been renovated and is currently for sale.
Ms. Springer said the tour gives residents a chance to explore the houses they may find interesting as they drive past them, and is a way for them to see what they really look like inside.
"It’s a mix of old and new," she said. "We just have some really wonderful houses this year."
Also this year, the antique auto show will move to Front Street, and the antique shop on Main Street is going to reopen, she said.
But the old favorite attractions will also be back.
Colonial dancing will occur periodically throughout the day, and kettle corn, along with hamburgers, hotdogs and pizza, will also be available. The library will have a chili tasting event and will be selling it, and root beer floats will be available at the Quaker House. At least 45 vendors and artisans will line Church Street to sell their crafts, and the Tiger Town Trio band will be playing in the street where the crafters are, she said. The day also includes bake sales and a silent auction and will end with a spaghetti dinner at the Union Fire Company building.
"We try to have a mix of things for not just the moms and dads, but for the kids, too," Ms. Springer said. "It’s just an ongoing, really nice outdoor festival that combines all of the elements in the town," she said.
The Civil War actors will be set to camp out, and children can talk with the actors and ask questions. The actors will be dressed in Colonial garb and have their horses with them, Ms. Springer said. The Elizabeth Resolutes will be back again this year to play some old, 1873-style baseball featuring no gloves, no pitcher’s mound and higher scores. Ms. Springer said the game, scheduled to begin at 12:30 p.m. usually draws a lot of people.
"It’s not like modern-day baseball at all," she said. ‘It’s just kind of fun to see (the players) in their outfits."
One of the vendors actually makes baseball bats, and after last year, is now the official bat maker for the team, Ms. Springer said.
Ms. Springer said she is expecting at least 1,000 people to attend the event, and hopes she can draw residents outside the Crosswicks village to attend the festival, she said.
"We try to make it something for everybody," she said. "We are a really friendly town, so it’s always a good time."

