By Ally Lanasa, Staff Writer

(July 30, 2020) The 12th annual Peach Festival in downtown Berlin has been shortened to a one-day celebration because of coronavirus concerns.

The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum on North Main Street in Berlin will hold a Peach Day on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Museum curator Susan Taylor said the Peach Festival is one of the biggest fundraisers for the museum and surrounding nonprofit organizations.

Melissa Reid, president of the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum, said last year they raised $4,000 at the Peach Festival. This year, the museum staff hopes to raise $3,000.

Melissa Reid

“The money raised at the Peach Festival goes to the general operating expenses of the museum, including upkeep of the house itself,” Reid said. “The nature of a historic house is such that repairs are always needed, for example, the side porch is in need of repair, and at some point soon our central air will need replacing; it is about 30 years old.”

To promote social distancing, nonprofit vendors and local businesses will sell their products on their properties instead of on the museum lawn this year.

Stevenson Church will sell crabcakes for $10 and peach cobbler for $4, Buckingham Presbyterian Church will sell pies for $15 and Baked Dessert Café will sell its famous peach dumplings—what the museum staff calls “the official treat of the Peach Festival.”

PHOTO COURTESY ROBIN TOMASELLI
Baked Dessert Café will be offering these folded-in puff pastries with homemade caramel and peach reduction during Peach Day on Saturday in Berlin.

The bakery will also have Peach Melba Bread, Peach Blackberry Cobbler, Peaches and Cream Bread Pudding and Peach Bourbon Pork BBQ Stuffed Croissants.

“We will be in the bakery, but also at our tent, along with The Buzz Meadery and Anchor Wood Creations in the outdoor eating area located adjacent to our building from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,” said Robin Tomaselli, owner of Baked Dessert Café.

In addition, Island Creamery, On What Grounds?, Sisters, Uncle Jon’s, Beach Memories and Bruder Hill will be offering peach-flavored treats, candles and soaps throughout the celebration.

According to the museum’s Facebook page, the following local business will also be participating this year: Dream Weaver, The Buzz Meadery, Una Bella Salute, Greyhound Independent Bookstore, J&M Meats, Heart of Gold Kids, Gold Crafts, Church Mouse Thrift Shop and House Furnishings & Décor.

The Berlin Maryland Chamber of Commerce contributed by decorating lampposts downtown with light blush-colored ribbons in honor of Peach Day.

Visitors can stop by the museum to pick up a map of all the participating shops and the scavenger hunt questionnaire.

The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum will sell peaches on the lawn by the bag for $8, homemade peach jam for $8 and museum totes filled with books about Berlin and Worcester County and jam for $30.

Touch-free pickup is available.

“On Peach Day, they can drive down Baker street from Main Street, and we will place their peach order in their trunk,” Reid said. “Or they can absolutely still walk up to the lawn and buy bags of peaches.”

Masks are required when on the museum lawn to pick up peaches and visitors must be six feet apart.

The George and Pat Bilenki Duo will perform on the lawn, providing background music for shoppers.

For more information, call 410-641-1019 or visit www.taylorhousemuseum.org.