Epworth Park’s 36th Chautauqua Days Fest
BETHESDA – Bethesda’s Epworth Park will be on stage this weekend as residents of the park celebrate Chautauqua Days, a weekend of activities, food and entertainment. New this year on Sunday is a non-competitive Talent Show at the auditorium. The 36th annual festival is a celebration of tradition, history and hometown pride.
The festival takes place Saturday, July 11 and Sunday, July 12, at Epworth Park, 215 N. Main St., Bethesda.
Admission is free to join in the festivities that include vendors, children’s activities, food trucks, live music. Saturday, a youth fishing tournament will take place, while on Sunday, an added feature is a juried car show sponsored by the Union Local Rotary Club.
Other highlights from the weekend are a white elephant sale, bake sale, craft and antique vendors and concession stand.
Entertainment and Events
Dee & Paddy – Celtic Music, Saturday afternoon, 2-4 p.m. at Cottage #71. Dee and Paddy are a dynamic Celtic and Irish folk music duo from Glen Dale, WV, known for their energetic covers of traditional pub songs, ballads and lively instrumentals.
The Shuman Band, Saturday evening, 6-8 p.m., Auditorium. Whether performing original compositions or self-styled songs written by other artists, The Shuman Band embodies a form that is compelling and engaging with roots in classic rock, folk, blues, and traditional American music.
Chautauqua Royalty Talent Show, Sunday afternoon, 1-4 p.m., Auditorium. “In the spirit of Chautauqua tradition, friends, neighbors, and visitors are invited to present their gifts of song, dance, magic, recitation, comedy or instrumental.” This event is not a competition.
Fishing Tournament. The annual youth fishing tournament will take place Saturday morning. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. at the Auditorium with the tournament beginning at 9 a.m.
Bethesda Car Show. The annual juried car show hosted by the Union Local Rotary Club will take place on the village park side of the lake (Lake and Virginia street) Sunday from 12-4 p.m. In addition to the vintage and antique autos and trucks, there will be food, a raffle, door prices and music by DJ Frak Prebeg.
Children and Family Activities
A variety of children’s games and activities will take place “on the hill” Saturday afternoon from 1-4 p.m. Events include a pirate show/scavenger hunt, balloon artist and face painting.
Program Schedule
Saturday, July 11
8 a.m. – White Elephant Sale opens
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Concession Stand Open featuring breakfast burritos, a variety of sandwiches and more.
8:30 a.m. – Youth Fishing Tournament Registration, Auditorium
9 a.m. – Youth Fishing Tournament, Epworth Lake
9 a.m. – Bake Sale, Epworth Park Souvenirs, Epworth Avenue
9 a.m. – Antique and Craft Vendor Area Open, Epworth Avenue
11 a.m. – Ice Cream Parlor, Opens, Social Center, Epworth Avenue
11:30 a.m. – Chautauqua Days Royalty Luncheon, Bethesda Community Center, Main Street.
1 p.m. – Royalty Introduction and Walk the Avenue
1-4 p.m. – Children and Family Activities “on the hill”
2-4 p.m. – Concert, Dee & Paddy – Celtic Music, Cottage #71
6 -8 p.m. – Concert, Shuman Family Band – Auditorium
Sunday, July 12
10:30 a.m. – Worship at the Auditorium with Pastor Tom Detling, Bethesda Methodist Church
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Bethesda Car Show Registration Open
11:30 a.m. – Concession Stand Open featuring breakfast burritos, a variety of sandwiches and more.
Noon – White Elephant Sale continues
Noon – Antique and Craft Vendor Area Open, Epworth Avenue
12-4 p.m.- Bethesda Car Show hosted by Union Local Rotary Club (Lake & Virginia streets); food, music by DJ, raffle, door prizes
1-4 p.m. – Epworth Park Royalty Talent Show
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Chautauqua Days Royalty
Previously, the second Chautauqua Days Pageant took place on June 28.
2026 Chautauqua Days Royalty are (left to right): Lacie White, Little Miss; Jerilyn Starr, Attendant; Norah Woods, Miss; Savannah Gallaher, Jr. Miss; Lexy LaRoche, Petite Miss. (Photo credit: Epworth Park Chautauqua Days Royalty Facebook page)
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Crafts and Antiques
Craft and antique vendors will offer items ranging from slate art, produce, wood designs and utensils, books, jewelry and art, paintings and crochet items, antique and vintage collectibles, wooden crafts, jewelry and accessories, antiques and postcards, Amish baked goods and goat soap.
Vendors for the 2026 Chautauqua Days Festival: Amy’s Naturals, Avon, Bethesda American Legion, Blessed Beyond Measure, Boyd Crafts, Captina Produce, C.K. Hardwood, Alan Fitzpatrick, Nicholas & Jessica Gulisek, Tom & Mary Jo Guisek, Kull Crafts, Laura Mull Insurance & Financials, James and Ruth Mayhugh, Ashley Merritt, Oxford Engraving, Paparazzi, Secondhand Stitching & Art, Simply Chic, Sweet Sage Creations, Timber & Bloom Designs, Sauder’s Farm and Susan Yoder.
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Background
Epworth Park traces its roots to 1870 when the park opened for church camp services. From the 1890s to World War II, Chautauqua programming was enjoyed by thousands who came to hear national figures speak including William Jennings Bryan and Billy Sunday, take in musical performances and other educational programs.
Today, the seven acre park, covered by giant oaks, beech and native trees, includes an outdoor auditorium, 60 cottages dating mostly from the late1800s, and the lake.
Last year, Epworth Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service.
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Disclaimer: The writer is member of the Epworth Park Cottage Owners Association and a cottage owner at the park.
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