Annual Montpelier Festival of Herbs, Tea, and the Arts
Saturday, April 25, 2026
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Age: All Ages
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.
- 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
- Spices & Herbs
- Dee-Lightfully Good
- Gardening and Beats
- Max’s Degrees
- Plexus Herbs
- Tulsi Fields Farm
- 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
- 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, Prince George’s County Programs
- M-NCPPC Black History Program
- M-NCPPC Public Affairs and Community Engagement Outreach
- Sankofa Mobile Museum
- Watkins Nature Center
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:
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
