KENNEDYVILLE — Molly’s 14th annual fall tent sale returned bigger and better, rebranded as the Maryland Outdoor Festival this year.
All through the weekend, Sept. 20-22, Molly’s Place set up a massive tent courtesy of Eastern Shore Tent and Events, packed with savings from favorite hunting, fishing and outdoor brands, offering up to 70 percent off purchases.
In addition, there were giveaways like four Yeti coolers worth $250 a piece, autographed by Orioles players and a Sunday Sweeps with a Traeger Grill package.
For three days, residents enjoyed the comfortable weather, browsing the sales, seeking familiar brands like Benelli USA, Hevi-Shot, YETI and many more.
But Molly’s tent sale is not just for the hunters and anglers. Rebranded now, the staff aims to create an event enjoyed by the entire community.
One of the organizers Prakash “Chikki” Shajwani emphasized this point, “We wanted to give back to the community. This is a way of getting kids outdoors and for families to get together.”
Marketing Director Sara Dion echoed his statements, mentioning the new vendors this year to do that: the decoy table, duck and goose call makers, and some fun activities for kids along with food trucks.
Under the tent with the callers and decoy makers, there was a wealth of information from experts of their craft, people willing to discuss their workmanship, honed from years of experience.
Like Sean Mann the World Goose Calling Champion of Champions. He won championships for duck calling and for making his own calls.
Working beside his son, Ian, who shows his talent for making calls, Mann said he owed his career path to the late Dan Edwards, an instructor at Anne Arundel College and a good friend.
“He made the dream possible. Without him none of this would have happened,” Mann said.
These awe-inspiring stories weren’t limited to just the vendors.
Looking at crossbows, Delaware resident Rene Swing casually mentioned how she once got a bear using a Horton Legacy crossbow, in a deer stand, in Maine.
These outdoor stories were all over the place, uniting residents and visitors.
Outside the tent, children enjoyed climbing the bouncy castle, The Triple Shots 4-H crew taught kids archery and beside them was a BB gun range run by the National Wild Turkey Federation along with the Queen Anne’s County High School Clay Target Team, ensuring proper safety.
With cold beverages and good food there was also a nice mix of local talented musicians entertaining while spectators sat on hay bales.
The Quinn Arnold Band played on Friday, Joe Bryan sang and strummed classics on Saturday, and newcomer Elena Barnett with musician Justin Singleton, closed out Sunday with country, blues and rock covers.
For three days Molly’s was bustling with activity.
Dion said last year they drew approximately 15,000. They anticipated recording as many this year, if not more.
Shajwani showed appreciation to all the volunteers such as the Chestertown Lions Club for helping park cars, the Kennedyville Volunteer Fire Company selling beer, and the Maryland State Police for helping on that busy stretch of road navigating people who came as far as Virginia and Baltimore for the event.
And he thanked the community recalling when the place was called Vonnie’s noting how it was a hub for Marylanders to meet.
With their tagline, “Fuel your adventure,” Shajwani said Molly’s shows that same appreciation to the location’s history and the culture while making their own mark.
Dion said, “We want to express our gratitude to the wonderful members of our community who attended the event and continue to support Molly’s. Kent County holds a special place in our hearts, and we are honored to be part of this remarkable community.”
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