Event Information

A smiling family in the grass on a sunny day. Behind them are tables covered with plants and seedlings, and a wooden archway. In the distance are event tents.

Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts

Saturday, April 25, 2026
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Age: All Ages

Event Category: 250th Anniversary, All Ages, Arts, Festivals, Free, History, Nature & Outdoor, Performance, Performances, Special Event
Add to Calendar Saturday, April 25, 2026 10:00 am 04/25/2026 4:00 pm America/New_York Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts Welcome spring and delight in the sights and sounds of nature, art, and history at this fun festival for the entire family, hosted by Montpelier Arts Center and Montpelier House Museum! Explore the vendor Marketplace, relax to live music, attend a talk on gardening, tour the house museum, and indulge in a picnic tea box. Visit the resident artist's studios at the Arts Center, watch art demonstrations, paint the Montpelier bird, and create spring-themed crafts. Stroll the galleries and view the exhibitions of Amanda Spaid, Linda Bernard, and the Laurel Art Guild. At 1 pm, join us in the Main Gallery for a performance by classical guitarist Gwenyth Aggeler. <span class="tribe-address"> </span>
An assortment of sandwiches and pastries on a plate with a floral pattern.
ORDER YOUR PICNIC TEA BOX
Person standing on a grassy field with arms outstretched, wearing an orange “Volunteer” T‑shirt, with rows of white vendor tents and people walking between them in the background.
SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

Welcome spring and delight in the sights and sounds of nature, art, and history at this fun FREE festival for the entire family, hosted by the Montpelier Historic Site & Museum and the Montpelier Arts Center!

Explore the Vendor Marketplace, attend a talk on gardening and herbs, tour the Museum, and relax to live music. Beginning at 11am, we will host outdoor performances featuring: the Jane Austen Society of North America – Maryland Region; the Natyabhoomi School of Dance; and Samaria Marley with a special guest. Visit the resident artist’s studios at the Arts Center, watch art demonstrations, paint the Montpelier bird, and create spring-themed crafts. Stroll the galleries and view the exhibitions of Amanda Spaid, Linda Bernard, and the Laurel Art Guild. At 1 pm, join us in the Main Gallery for a free performance by classical guitarist Gwenyth Aggeler.

Held rain or shine.

<strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Vendors</span></strong>
ART

Artworks by Mary Ann

Femme Prints

J D Art & Décor

Petals by Tippy & More

Studio Kayama

Various artists work available for purchase, Arts Center 1st and 2nd floor artist studios

FABRIC ART

Margarts

Paiges Pieces

Passiondale

HOME DECOR

A Little Pottery

Chris Hanan Ceramics

Light & Leaf

MLE Arts & Crafts

Monica Creates Daily

Noslen Fusion Arts

Serving Up Sparkles

With Love by JC

Various ceramics artists work available for purchase, visit tables adjoining Arts tent

Jewelry

After the Glitter Fades

Chief Mark Tayac

K & K Products

Michelle Ink Designs

Red Mosaic Jewelry

Silverbird

PLANTS

Briar Rose Herbs

Elements of Nature Urban Farm

God Scent Herbs

Jack Creek Plants

Richfield Farm

SELF-CARE

Hazelnut and Honey

Mystic Water Soap

Remedies from Nature

She Knows the Deal

SPICE & HERBS

Dee-Lightfully Good

Gardening and Beats

Max’s Degrees

Plexus Herbs Tulsi Fields Farm

<strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Food</span></strong>
COTTAGE FOODS

McDaniel Honey Farm
Middleton Sweet Munchies
Nina’s Cookies Explosion

FOOD TRUCKS

Curbside Sizzle

The Daily Crepe Co.

Kona Ice of Laurel

Monroe Suggs

Rocky Ice Cream

Spice Kitchen West African Grill

<strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Non-Profits</span></strong>
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

Chesapeake Woodturners

Jane Austen Society of North America, Maryland Region

Laurel Art Guild

Laurel Historical Society

Patuxent Research Refuge/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

Prince George’s County Herb Society

Prince George’s County Master Gardeners

Samaria Marley of Honey Belle Soul

M-NCPPC, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, PRINE GOEGRE’S COUNTY PROGRAMS

M-NCPPC Black History Program

M-NCPPC Public Affairs and Community Engagement Outreach

Sankofa Mobile Museum

Watkins Nature Center

<strong><u>Activities, Demonstrations & Talks</u></strong>

10am-3pm: Paint the Montpelier Bird: A Community Art Experience – Arts Tent (Activity)

10am-4pm: 18th Century Kitchen Activation with Living History Re-enactor Deirdre Harris – Carriage House Kitchen

Participate in an interactive activation of our 18th Century Kitchen Exhibition with a costumed re-enactment and discussion focused on summer crops, including culinary and medicinal herbs.

10am-4pm: Table Games & Tavern Puzzles – Arts Tent (Activity)

11am-2pm: Expressive Mask Making Project – Arts Tent (Activity)

11am-2pm: Watkins Nature Center Live Animal Display (Activity)

11am-3pm: Make & Take Printmaking Activity – Arts Center 1st floor printmaking studio (Activity)

11:15-11:45am & 2:30-3:15pm: The Art of Herbal Tea Blending with Plexus Herbs – Outdoor Education Tent (Talk)

Learn about the five classifications of herbs: nervines, carminative, detox, adaptogens, and anti-inflammatory with a special focus on turmeric, the Herb of the Year, its essential partner, black pepper, and their synergistic relationship. Also hear a brief introduction to herbal energetics, the stimulating and relaxing qualities of herbs for building balanced blends.

12-12:30pm: “Cut, Compose, Create”: Live Collage Demo by resident artist Raquel Keller – Arts Center 2nd floor studios (Demonstration)

1:15-1:45pm: Get to the Root of Valerian with Donna Koczaja, M.S., RH (AHG) – Outdoor Education Tent (Talk)

Learn all about this popular herb known to promote healthy sleep: how to grow, harvest, prepare, and use for better ZZZZZZzzzzzzzssssss….

2-2:30pm: “Thyme to Make”: Ceramic Plant Stakes Demo by resident artist Lecy Mayes – Arts Center 2nd floor studios (Demonstration)

3-3:30pm: “From Clay to Plate”: Live Ceramic Plate Fabrication Demo by resident artist Chris Kirages – Arts Center 1st floor ceramics (Demonstration)

Meet the Speakers:

A woman wearing historical colonial clothing standing by a lit brick cooking fireplace holding bellows.

Deirdre Harris

Two vendors smiling behind a yellow table displaying Plexus Herbs teas, salves, and oils.

Plexus Herbs

A woman in a red dress standing in a lush garden looking at pink coneflowers.

Donna Koczaja M.S., RH (AHG)

<strong><span style=”text-decoration: underline;”>Performances</span></strong>

11-11:30AM: Simple Elegance; Regency Fashion Styling with the Jane Austen Society of North America, Maryland Region – Outdoor Main Stage

11:45AM-12:30PM & 2-2:45PM: Natyabhoomi School of Dance Indian Classical Dance Performance – Outdoor Main Stage

1-2PM: Classical Guitar Concert featuring Gwenyth Aggelar – Arts Center Main Gallery

3-4PM: Honey Belle Soul Performance – Outdoor Main Stage

Meet the Artists:

JASNA Maryland logo featuring the organization name, the Maryland state flag, and a portrait of Jane Austen.

JASNA-MD

Five female dancers in colorful traditional Indian attire performing a coordinated pose on stage.

Natyabhoomi School of Dance

A young woman sitting on a stone wall outdoors playing a classical acoustic guitar.

Gwenyth Aggeler

Two women standing outdoors in white garments holding string instruments, one with a guitar and one with a violin.

Honey Belle Soul