“Mathews Market Days is an event for the community by the community.” – Jennifer Roahrig: Chairman 2024 Mathews Market Days
There is a place that time almost forgot. Here, good things from the past are still good. At summer’s end, people gather in and around the historic Mathews Court Green as they have done for decades. Brick buildings that slumber much of the time, awaken. Under shady trees local folks display their handiwork, foods, art, and more.
Food and craft vendors set up, bands play, people dance, pets parade, children play, folks visit, and schools close for the day in what is geographically Virginia’s second smallest county.
Anniversary
Mathews Market Days celebrates its 50th anniversary on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 6 and 7 with first-time-ever happenings and revived attractions from the past.
The idea of a showing off handiwork, whatever it might be, is similar to the “county fairs” of the past, when farmers would show off their produce and prized animals, home makers would bake cakes and pies and cookies, organizations might sew quilts, all vying for the blue ribbon top prize.
From these roots was born Mathews Market Days.
It was an effort to bring people to the business district at Mathews Courthouse. And if it only attracted the people of Mathews County, that was enough. Bigger is not always better. Market Days is still a visitor friendly event. Cars can still be driven on the main streets. Only two streets are closed so vendors can set up.
Beginnings
Even though Market Days grew much larger and more diverse, “it is still exciting to see it all come together,” wrote the late Mildred P. Hudgins in September 2000 in an article for the Gloucester-Mathews Gazette Journal, recalling Market Days memories. Hudgins’ article said it was the late Lillian Rau who came to her office at the Virginia Cooperative Extension Agency with the idea of an event for Mathews artists, craftsmen, homemakers, and everyone to display their work.
Through her position with the extension office, Hudgins had seen the variety of talent in the Mathews County kitchens and home shops and liked Rau’s idea.
History
It’s been said the newspapers write the first draft of history. Well, the Gloucester-Mathews Gazette-Journal newspaper has covered Mathews County for more than 85 years and is probably the only place where the Market Days “history” can be found.
The following are excerpts from the news reports.
The first event called “Mathews Days” was offered on a vacant lot on Main Street. It had 12 vendors, mostly selling food, and merchants joined with sales and promotions. The Mathews County Historical Society conducted a bake sale at the Tompkins Cottage on the second day of Mathews Days. There was an auction, craft demonstrations, and an art show. The event drew 1,000 people and it profited $238 which was given to various charities.
More room needed
In 1977, Market Days was set up on the Mathews Court Green, where it has been ever since. A “Food Fair” was added in 1986, as Market Days took on the flavor of a county fair.
The September 1989 Market Days had more than 100 booths, and again the vendors agreed to donate 10% of their proceeds to the Market Days committee, which in turn donated the funds collected to a community cause. Over 14 years, funds from vendors totaled $28,000.
Volunteers
Mildred Hudgins noted in her article nearly 24 years ago, “Without the support and interest of all those who have volunteered to chair the event and to help on committees or just to help where ever needed, Mathews Market Days would’ve ended long ago.”
Hudgins’ words still ring true with this year’s festival chairman, Jennifer Roahrig.
When asked to describe Mathews Market Days is a word, Roahrig replied, “Community, that would be my word. Mathews Market Days is “an event for the community by the community.”
Quaint
Dee Russell, who served as chairman of Market Market Days for four years (from 2013-2016), said, “We have managed as a citizens and through volunteers to keep this very small quaint event successful. It speaks of the heart of the people of Mathews. It’s volunteerism. No matter what, people stand up to the plate and make it happen.”
Russell said Market Days cleared $20,000 in 2016, which was donated to causes for children. Some of the money came from the sale of the Market Days poster, which is chosen from those entered for judging by artists. Also, vendors agreed to give 10% of their profits to the Market Days Committee, she added.
“There’s a lot of pride in this event,” said Russell, “I’d love to see it continue for another 50 years.”
Many would agree.
MARKET DAYS SCHEDULE
Mathews business district will be abuzz on Sept. 6-7 when Mathews Market Days celebrates 50 years. The show begins at 9 a.m. both days and on Saturday following the national anthem, a Virginia Army National Guard M101 cannon will fire a blank round to start the day.
Crab races are back this year and will be held throughout both days. Racers are supplied and contestants squirt them with water to hurry them down the chute.
Beer and wine
This year for the first time in Mathews Market Days history, beer and wine will be served at the street dance on Saturday from 6 -9 p.m., when “The Detonators” play favorite rock songs from the 80’s to today.
During the street dance visitors can purchase wine from Zoll Vineyards and beer from The Gloucester Brewing Company. Alcohol will not be available except during the dance.
Vendors
So far, 42 art and crafts vendors have registered, and there will be 11 food vendors, and 11 information booths. Also new to Mathews Market Days this year is a children’s block party. “DJ Dreux” promises a “glow party” to not be forgotten! The glow party will take place Friday, September 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Put in Creek Pavilion.
Children’s area
A free children’s area includes a rock climbing wall, inflatable water slide, face painting, balloon artists and tons of free games.
Several organizations in and around Mathews will participate in the children’s area. The nonprofit “Step up Into TLC” will have “JJ” the Clydesdale and “Buddy” the miniature horse wearing tennis shoes available for a meet and greet with an opportunity for photos. Also returning is a favorite named “Dillion” the paintable pony. Children can use sponges to paint water colors on the small pony.
CA & J Farms will have games, farm animals, drums and samples alongside the Mathews Kiwanis Club. The Mathews YMCA will be in the children’s area as well to help will bring their touch of fun as well. The P. Buckley Moss foundation will provides free crafts for children.
Boom!
Staff Sergeant Alexander Roahrig will be in the children’s area representing the Virginia Army National Guard. He will bring a Humvee for children to sit in, a hydraulic rock climbing wall, and an M101 cannon that will fire a blank following the singing of the National Anthem on Saturday at 9 a.m.
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The community benefits
Charitable causes that have benefited through the years from Mathews Market Days donations, include New Point Comfort Lighthouse Restoration; children’s room in Mathews Memorial Library; Mathews Chamber of Commerce; Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad; Mathews Volunteer Fire Department; Mathews High School Band; Hands Across Mathews, Mathews Parks and Recreation; Mathews High School crew team, Mathews Special Education and Mathews Little League.
