Celebrating 250 Years

For 250 years the historic Comegys Bight House on Maryland’s Chester River has served as the heart of many families’ milestone events. Now, it’s time to celebrate the house itself. As well as its contributions to the Chestertown community that surrounds it, of course, with a weekend chock-full of fabulous festivities!

Festive Summer Celebration

Working closely with the current owners of the Comegys Bight House, it was our pleasure to plan and produce a festive summer weekend in celebration of the stately home’s 250th birthday! A momentous milestone occasion taking place over a weekend of Chesapeake-inspired events. The weekend included a Friday Crab Feast, Sultana schooner cruises, a historical lecture at Emmanuel Church, and a fabulous Saturday house party, followed by a farewell Sunday brunch at the local yacht club! All in honor of this special home in Chestertown, Maryland!

Setting the Scene

Taking inspiration from the waterfront home, Executive Producer Robert Canada, brought the beauty of the interiors of the Comegys Bight House outside into a tented party space. A romantic sailcloth tent was placed on the lawn overlooking the river, with our antique-inspired wooden bar holding center stage inside the tent. Around the bar, we placed a polished wood dance floor, food stations, and cozy areas of cocktail seating. Keeping to the elegance of the house, we dressed high and low cocktail tables in colorful summer fabrics around the entire party area and terraces.

Soft outdoor lounge seating was interwoven through the party area, some placed next to the dance floor, others placed on the lawn with views over the water. For a warm glow, candles were added on tables, along pathways, and suspended from trees around the estate. For color, we filled the house, tent, and property with lush displays of seasonal flowers in summer shades of pretty periwinkle, golden yellow, and happy orange.

Orchestrating the Festivities

As the sun began to set, guests arrived at the Saturday house party from a variety of local inns and hotels via a parade of shuttle buses. As the hosts’ friends and family explored the house and wandered the grounds, they were treated to delicious passed hors-d’oeuvres and refreshing cocktails. A Sultana schooner sat just offshore, and at just the right moment (timed perfectly by our dear Robert!) FIRED canons to announce the opening of the dinner tent. It was a wonderfully, dramatic kick off to the official program! After the owners’ entertaining toasts, guests enjoyed an incredible menu designed and expertly served by Neuman’s Kitchen catering. Wines were paired and guests were encouraged to mingle around the entire party area. A swing band kept the dance floor jumping (literally!) and the celebration culminated with sensational fireworks choreographed to music!

The History of the House

Built in 1768, the Comegys Bight House is named after the original property owner, as well as the bay or ‘bight’ of the Chester River into which the waters of Comegys and Fore Creeks flow. Comegys Bight House is one of the most well-known houses of Kent County as the home, and all its renovations to preserve and expand it represents the way of life of prosperous rural families of the mid-1700s on the Eastern Shore. Being able to walk this beautiful property, not to mention work on it producing such a meaningful event, was truly one of the highlights of our year.

Please enjoy even more stunning photos of this 250th Celebration of the Comegys Bight House!

Event Planning, Floral Decor, Party Production: Evantine Design; Photography: MK Photo; Catering: Neuman’s Kitchen; Invitations: The Papery of Philadelphia.