Virginia Blog Fest

Blog Fest 2012

2012-01-15T17:18:00.000-05:00

So last year we didn't have a Blog Fest here in Mathews County, Virginia, because I was too busy working on a book. But I think it's time to start thinking about Blog Fest 2012.

What's a Blog Fest, you say? Well, it's where bloggers (or people who read blogs or comment on blogs or just want to meet other bloggers and have fun) convene in Mathews County, Virginia, to relax, laugh and have fun. Lots of fun.

In years past we've had guests from as far away as Canada, California, Texas and Maine. Some people stay in local lodging (Mathews has no hotels but does have cottages for rent and B&Bs) but most people stayed at my house, either in a spare room or in campers in the yard.

Right now no date has been set but once that is known I'll update this site.

So stay tuned for more details on Blog Fest 2012.

Thanks for stopping by.

- CBW

Yes, It's True: A Possible, Tentative Blog Fest Schedule Subject to Change. Possibly. Tentatively. Depending on Things. And Other Stuff.

2010-07-08T15:00:00.005-04:00

Blog Fest is only a week away and ~~CBW needs only three more weeks to get ready~~ and CBW has finally come up with a proposed schedule of events, subject to change depending on the weather, the general wishes of the attendees and Gustav, the Killer Goose who has his own Facebook page.

This year we are offering an option for the tour portion of activities. We will explain these options Thursday night of Blog Fest. Or sooner if I get around to it.

I will post something else later (defined as sometime soon, hopefully, if everything works out) that provides a list of what to bring, such as goose repellent and fiddler crab pots.

Here's the schedule as we know it now:

Tentative Schedule of Events

Thursday
3:00 – 6:00 Arrivals; Wine and Cheese at CBW’s house

6:00 – 9:00 Opening Remarks (CBW/BHE/Gustav the Goose, etc.) and Dinner . I promise my opening remarks will not be three hours. I don't talk like I write.

Friday

9:00 – 10:00 Coffee and Continental Breakfast at CBW’s house

10:00 – 2:00 Tour A – Mathews Tour with Lunch at Court House or
Tour B – King and Queen Tour with Lunch at Shackelfords

2:00 – 5:00 Free Time (Shopping; Gwynns Island Museum if time, etc.)

5:00 – 6:00 Happy Hour at CBW’s House (Margaritas)

6:00 – 8:00 Dinner at Sandpiper Reef

8:00 - ? Karakoke and Margaritas at CBWs House

Saturday

9:00 – 10:00 Coffee and Continental Breakfast at CBWs house

10:00 – 12:00 Boat Tour

12:00 – 1:00 Sea Breeze for lunch

1:00 Gwynns Island Museum for those who wish

2:00 - ? Gwynns Island Beach including fun in the sun (and shade);
Cornhole Tournament; Boat Rides ;
Cookout; Bonfire; Fun and Frivolity

Sunday:

9:00 Breakfast at CBWs house

The End.

Ongoing activities:

Fun
Frivolity
Hijinx
Tours of Noe Noe Girl's Camper
Tours of Chesapeake Bay Mother's Garden
Gustav Appearances and Autograph Signings
Fiddler Crab Infestations
Mosquito Swatting
Fun
Frivolity
Hijinx

2010 Virginia Blog Fest: July 15-18

2010-07-06T19:29:00.000-04:00

Update: I know some of you are wondering what the agenda is for this year, and the only reason I've not published one is, well, because I don't exactly have one. For those who came last year, the highlights will remain the same (cookout at my house; tour; boat ride and Gwynns Island beach), but it's the free time/down time/ tour locale that is subject to change. For those of you who did not attend last year, just plan on lots of fun and hold tight until I can finalize the schedule.

Thank you for your patience, and I look forward to seeing y'all then. - cbw

It's official: Blog Fest 2010 will be held from Thursday, July 15, through Sunday morning, July 18th.

See below for more information:

What: Blog Fest 2010, a weekend of ~~hijinx~~ fun and frivolity
When: Thursday, July 15 - Sunday, July 18
Where: Mathews County, Virginia. Chesapeake Bay Woman's house is ~~a disaster~~ home base.
Who: Anyone is invited. If we receive an overwhelming response, which I do not anticipate, we will establish a limit. This is highly unlikely, though.
What to expect: I don't know. Anything. Everything. Nothing at all. Last year, we toured Mathews' beaches; meandered around the village; ate at some local restaurants; went on a work boat tour of the lighthouse; and spent a magical evening on a Gwynn's Island beach.

I am open to suggestions on activities but think we will kick off the same as last year with a cookout at my house Thursday night. The other two days will likely include some sight seeing, a boat ride, perhaps a trip to the Gwynn's Island Museum, perhaps a tour of a local historic home, and free time - especially for those who attended last year and have seen many of the key sights already.

As Big Hair Envy--my co-host and partner in crime--and I iron out the details, we'll let you know. Until then, you can e-mail me with any questions @ ChesapeakeBayWoman@gmail.com.

If you are interested in attending, please leave a comment and send me an e-mail. Include your name, where you're coming from, mode of transportation and any other relevant information. I can send you information on lodging, although there is plenty of room at my house and in my yard (for campers). Because commercial lodging is very limited, the sooner you make your reservations the better.

For detailed information about Mathews County, visit the county tourism site by clicking here. There you'll find links to things to do and places to stay. Last year, one group stayed at a B&B and another group booked a cottage on the North River. Everyone else stayed at my house.

There are no hotels or motels in the county. No Starbucks either. We do have fiddler crabs, jungle-like humidity and lots of crazy characters running around here, present company included.

Looking forward to another fun-filled event. Hope to see you there.

2010 Virginia Blog Fest

2009-11-12T19:36:00.004-05:00

Stay tuned for details on another fiddler-crab-filled event in Mathews County open to anyone brave enough to endure the ~~boredom~~ mosquitoes and ~~Amazon Jungle humidity~~ horse flies.

We're looking at a summer gathering but haven't set the date yet.

Hope to see you there!

Blog Fest is Here (I Think)

2009-07-15T08:48:00.005-04:00

Blog Fest 2009 begins Thursday, July 16th, which as I write this is tomorrow.Come over to my other blog Life in Mathews if you want up-to-the-minute information on what's going on. Maintaining two blogs while juggling preparations for ~~Woodstock~~ Blog Fest is daunting but I'll do the best I can.

The agenda, which may change depending on Mother Nature and Human Nature, is as follows:

THURSDAY
Bloggers arrive and meet at CBW's House
Wine and cheese, snacks and beverages for early arrivals
Dinner starting at 6:00

FRIDAY
Meet at CBW's house late morning
Caravan to county beaches and court house for a tour of Mathews
Lunch at the court house (TBD)
Afternoon TBD - either free time or Gwynn's Island Museum
Dinner at Sandpiper Reef in Hallieford

SATURDAY
Boat ride around New Point Comfort
Lunch at Sea Breeze (TBD)
Free Time
Sunning, swimming, cookout on the beach

SUNDAY
Nothing scheduled except a nap.

Below are the folks who are coming and links to their blogs, if applicable. Please be sure to visit them --there is an overwhelming amount of talent represented in this short little list.

Big Hair Envy - Who celebrated a birthday last week. From VA
Grandma J. From Texas. Make sure you're within close proximity to a paramedic if she decides to make a prank phone call. She's good, this Grandma J.
Foolery - Who celebrated a birthday last Saturday. Coming from California.
Meg/Soup is not a Finger Food From the DC metro region.
Mental P Mamma - CT
TS Annie - CT
Daryl - NYC
AsthmaGirl- Washington State (You have to say it like that around here otherwise people think it's Washington DC.)
The Baroness -CANADA
Living on the Spit - VA
Country Girl - MD
Pleasing Procrastinator - IN
Noe Noe Girl a Queen of All Trades - A little house in the big woods.
Momx2 - Celebrated a birthday on Sunday
Auds at Iambarkingmad -MAINE
A Gloucester blogger and his wife
Anonymous Mathews Native -Who will bring delicious ham biscuits
The Waterman's Wife -Whose birthday is on Saturday and who is arranging our boat ride.
MsSeabreeze -Lifelong friend
Baby Sis (only for Saturday night)
Dr. Phil - For obvious reasons
Emeril - For obvious reasons
Carol Burnett - Just because I want to see if you're still reading.

2009 Virginia Blog Fest

2009-06-26T14:18:00.016-04:00

It's hard to believe the Blog Fest is right around the corner.

We have an exciting several days planned. Below is our agenda as of this moment, much of this is dependent upon the weather:

VIRGINIA BLOG FEST
JULY 16-19, 2009
MATHEWS, VA

Objective: Our goal is to meet the bloggers and commenters we've come to know as friends; to share the beauty of Mathews and Virginia; to perhaps share some blogging tips; and most of all to have fun.

Schedule of Events

Thursday, July 16

3:00 - 5:00 Bloggers arrive at Chesapeake Bay Woman's house (Directions will be e-mailed to those who are traveling from out of town.)

5:00 - 6:00 Wine and Cheese Welcome
Wine, sodas, water, fruit, cheese, crackers, etc. outside if ~~heat and humidity~~ weather permits.

6:00 - 8:00 Cookout in CBW's back yard overlooking Queens Creek. Menu, subject to change, will include shrimp; ham biscuits; deviled eggs; baked beans; potato salad; something on the grill, either chicken, beef, burgers/dogs/ TBD.

8:00 - Whenever: Bonfire

Friday, July 17
Whenever we get up: Breakfast - Breakfast casserole; coffee; juice; pastries; fruit.

Late morning - Tour of Mathews to include New Point Lighhouse; Bethel Beach; Aaron's Beach; Haven Beach; downtown Mathews, including visitors center.

Lunch - Downtown Mathews, Location TBD.

After Lunch - Gwynn's Island Museum (This is not yet confirmed, I need to contact the museum to arrange a tour.)

Free Time

Dinner at Sandpiper Reef Restaurant in Hallieford - Enjoy fresh local seafood on the screened porch.

Saturday, July 18
Whenever we get up: Breakfast - Breakfast casserole; coffee; juice; pastries; fruit.

Late Morning - Boat Ride. Details and logistics still need to be worked out, but a Mathews resident will provide a brief boat ride because you haven't seen Mathews until you've seen it from the water.

Lunch - Sea Breeze Restaurant on Gwynn's Island

Afternoon- Free Time/Nap/Whatever

3:00 (possibly earlier) - Gwynn's Island Beach - swimming, sunning, possibly a jet ski ride followed by a cookout and hopefully a spectacular sunset. There is a shady/grassy area for those who do not wish to swim.

Sunday, July 29
Brunch-TBD
Bloggers depart.

What People May Contribute If They Wish (All available locally so do not have to travel with the stuff.)
-bottled water
-sodas
-good coffee
-desserts (store bought = fine)
-morning pastries
-wine, beer, beverage of their choice. I will have very limited liquor/mixed drink ingredients (very, very limited)

What People Should Bring or Purchase Upon Arrival
-Mosquito repellant
-Sunscreen
-Bathing suit
-Beach Towel
-Camera
-Beach Chair/umbrella (Locals only - I have some spares for those traveling)
-Flip flops - everything is casual around here.
-Cool casual clothing - everything is casual around here.
-Hat for sun protection
-Sunglasses
-Small cooler (optional)

Spending Money, as follows:
-Lunch on Friday -TBD depending on where we go, but anywhere from $5 - 15.
Dinner on Friday at Sandpiper Reef Restaurant - will run anywhere from $10 - $25 for food, plus cost of beverages
-Lunch at Sea Breeze on Saturday - Very inexpensive - anywhere from $5 - $10.
-$5 contribution from those who take the boat tour
-Money for souvenir Tervis Tumbler if you wish to purchase - $20
-If I secure a van for the Mathews tour, that will cost us something, TBD. I'll post info as soon as possible.

I have a tentative guest list, but for planning purposes would like to get a more definite headcount. Please e-mail me at ChesapeakeBayWoman@gmail.com and tell me which of the events you will attend:

1. Wine and Cheese Thursday night
2. Cookout Thursday night
3. Lunch at Mathews Court House (TBD)Friday
4. Dinner at Sandpiper Friday night
5. Lunch at Sea Breeze on Saturday
6. Cookout at Beach on Saturday

We look forward to seeing you!

Love, CBW

2009 Virginia Blog Fest Overview

2009-02-01T10:41:00.009-05:00

Welcome to the 2009 Virginia Blogfest informational site. Please note: This site is still under construction and some of the information here will likely change and/or be updated, particularly the schedule of events. The dates, July 16-19, will not change, nor will the location, Mathews County, Virginia.

Chesapeake Bay Woman and Big Hair Envy invite you to attend a blogging get-together, open to any blogger, commenter or reader of our blogs.

The goal of our gathering is to have fun, to meet people we've come to call our friends, perhaps learn something new about blogging, and tour Mathews County, Virginia.

Below is a tenative agenda, subject to change:

Thursday, July 16
Bloggers arrive
5:00 p.m. - Cookout at Chesapeake Bay Woman's House, which overlooks Queens Creek.

Friday, July 17
Late morning - Tour of Mathews
Lunch - Location TBD
Afternoon - Free time (I will be researching the possibility of a boat trip.)
Dinner - TBD

Saturday, July 18
Free Time
Afternoon - Travel to beach on Gwynn's Island for swimming, possibly jet skiing, sunning. There is a large grassy area available for anyone not wanting to get sandy.
Dinner - Cookout at the beach. Guest appearances from local Mathews residents.

Sunday, July 19
Bloggers depart.

Registration

2009-02-01T09:00:00.005-05:00

If you are interested in attending the 2009 Virginia Blog Fest in Mathews County from July 16 - 19, please answer a few questions to get started. You may e-mail your answers to ChesapeakeBayWoman@gmail.com and Big Hair Envy (I need to get her e-mail address; in the interim send to the ChesapeakeBayWoman account.)

1. Will you be attending Thursday - Sunday (all days)?

2. If you are only attending certain days, please indicate which ones:

3. Are you bringing anyone with you? (Guests are welcome, however, depending on number of interested participants we may have to limit attendees at some point. For now, the Blog Fest is open to you and your guests.)

4. How will you be traveling? (I.e. personal car, airplane, train, etc.)

5. Will you require transportation to/from the airport/train station?

6. Will you require overnight accommodations? If so, please indicate which of the following you'd prefer:

a) Camping in Chesapeake Bay Woman's yard overlooking the water
b) Staying at Chesapeake Bay Woman's house (inside, not camping)
c) Hotel (the closest one is 15 miles away in Gloucester County)
d) B&B (there are a few in Mathews)
e) Cottage rental (some are available for short term)
f) Local campground (there are 2 in Mathews, both on the bay)
g) I've made my own arrangements and don't require any assistance

Note: For a link to local accommodations, please click here or see separate post on lodging.

7. Please provide an e-mail address where we can contact you with additional information.

Thanks and we look forward to your arrival.

Blog Fest Guests

2009-02-01T08:00:00.022-05:00

Below is a list of bloggers who are planning to attend the 2009 Blogfest. As I receive registration forms, and as time permits, I will update this list.

Also, if you have already told me you're coming and I don't have your name up here, just remind me. I have the organizational skills and memory of a glazed doughnut.

Grandma J

MentalPMamma

TSAnnie

Daryl

Foolery

Big Hair Envy

Chesapeake Bay Woman

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of All Trades

Pleasing Procrastinator

Well Read Hostess

Meg from Soup is not a Finger Food

Asthma Girl

River Poet

The Baroness

i-Mom

Ann Marie

Auds at Barking Mad - YAY!

Living on the Spit

Commenter Mathews Mountain Man + Family + Pookie

Commenter Bayman

Commenter Anonymous Mathews Native

Momx2

The following are still thinking about it and need to be encouraged to just say YES:

Ellen

Lodging

2009-02-01T07:30:00.005-05:00

There is space at Chesapeake Bay Woman's house for guests, and she also has ample yard available for those who want to camp. If you are interested in commercial lodging, a detailed listing is available at www.visitmathews.com - click on the Lodging section. There are no hotels in Mathews, but there are B&B's and rental cottages available.

Below are some of the options:

Bed and Breakfasts

Buckley Hall Inn
(804) 725-1900

Kingston Plantation Inn
(804) 725-5831

Sycamore Haven House
(804) 725-0147

Campgrounds

New Point Comfort RV Resort
(804) 725-5120

Gwynn's Island RV Resort
(804) 725-5700

Hotels - Located in Gloucester County, approximately 15 miles away

Comfort Inn
(804) 695-1900

Hampton Inn
(804)

Directions and Local Information

2009-02-01T06:30:00.001-05:00

This post is still under construction.

Directions: (forthcoming)

Questions? Please ask them here.

2009-02-01T05:30:00.000-05:00

If you have questions that have not been addressed already, please leave a comment here and let me know what you need. Thanks!