For nearly a decade, May Faire has brought families to the heart of Mathews each spring, drawing neighbors and visitors to Court Green and Main Street for a weekend of music, makers, food, and shared tradition.
A Coastal Celebration of America’s 250th
In 2026, as America marked its 250th anniversary, the Mathews Museum celebrated VA250 with a hands-on weekend of demonstrations, interactive activities, entertainment, and coastal storytelling, highlighting the spirit and heritage of our community.
Step into Mathews as it might have felt in 1776: coastal work, homefront skills, public debate, and hands-on history throughout a strollable, discoverable weekend.
What Happens at May Faire
Work & Ways of 1776
Demonstrations and hands-on moments inspired by coastal life: waterfront skills, farm work, and everyday trades.
Apprentice for a Day
Colonial games, open-ended maker stations, and learn-by-doing activities for curious kids and families.
Sounds on the Green
Fiddle tunes, coastal rhythms, and community performances woven throughout the day.
The Great Pound Cake Contest
Bakers bring their very best to compete for bragging rights and blue ribbons.
Artisan Market
Curated vendors with handmade goods, heritage crafts, and coastal finds. Shop and meet the makers.
Exhibits & Interactive Experiences
Featured exhibits, hands-on displays, and rotating activities, plus mini workshops and demonstrations throughout the day.
In July 1776, just days after the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed, Virginia patriots turned their attention to Gwynns Island. There, at what is often referred to as the Battle of Cricket Hill, colonial forces confronted the fleet of Lord Dunmore, the last royal governor of Virginia.
The engagement forced Dunmore’s departure from the Chesapeake and marked the effective end of British control in the region. For Mathews and its surrounding waterways, it was a defining moment, a declaration not only on paper, but on these very shores.
See the Cricket Hill dioramaBecome a Vendor
May Faire brings families, visitors, and locals to Court Green and Main Street for a weekend of music, makers, and coastal tradition. If you make it, grow it, cook it, or create it, this is your audience.
| Space (10' × 10') | 2026 fee |
|---|---|
| Arts & Crafts / Political | $100 |
| Food Vendor | $225 (+$20 for 30 AMP electric) |
| Informational Booth | $25 |
Booths are staffed and open 9 AM–4 PM on both days. Questions about vendor participation: [email protected]
Sponsor May Faire
Sponsorship helps fund music, children’s activities, living history demonstrations, and the museum’s year-round work, while giving your business meaningful visibility in a joyful, community-centered environment.
| Level | Recognition |
|---|---|
| Diamond · $1,000+ | Main sponsor recognition, press releases, signage, and radio mentions, plus all Platinum benefits |
| Platinum · $300 | Full-page event book feature, larger brochure placement, priority web and social recognition |
| Gold · $200 | Half-page event book feature, brochure placement, website and social mention |
| Silver · $100 | Quarter-page event book feature, brochure placement, website and social mention |
| Bronze · $25–$50 | Brochure placement and mention in event book, website, and social media |
To sponsor, email [email protected].