Although the Tavern Dueling weekend just ended, the enjoyment and the memories of this first time Edenton event will linger, possibly long enough to schedule a second annual event next March.
Sponsored by the Friends of State Historic Sites Edenton, FOSHE President Allison Gottlieb and volunteer members, along with Edenton Historic State Site Manager Laura Rogers
organized the two day tavern duel. The group is receiving high-praise from everyone attending. Participating merchants reveled in the Dueling Tavern theme, donning costumes and preparing items complimenting the event. Think Guinness Beer Bread, Colonial Oatmeal Porter and Penelope Barker Punch.
The Bayside Bakery and Boards attracted a large crowd Friday night as the corner of E. King and S. Broad St. was packed with anxious bread samplers, enjoying the Guinness Beer Bread baker Heather Sexton created for the event. Patrick Sexton emulated times gone by when baker assistants would stand on street corners sampling snippets of bread enticing customers to venture inside and please their palates.Sexton provided samples for local tavern revelers, pulling out all of the stops and vintage attire for the evening. The bakery was shoulder to shoulder with dueling bakery enthusiasts vying for cream filled doughnuts and scones that complimented beer.
Not to be outdone by the neighboring bakers, Greybeard’s Cigar Bar proprietor Thomas Gardener, dressed in authentic tavern garb raised the tavern apron bar, ordering aprons authentically created out of the same styled cotton canvas material as original tavern aprons.
Brian Roberts entered Waterman’s in the duel, offering Colonial Oatmeal Porter along with a Penelope Barker Punch. Roberts would not divulge if anyone ordered both drinks and had a two fisted ‘dual’.
The highlight of the event and the weekend was the gathering at the James Iredell House. The sprawling lawn was the perfect pitch for Bocce and other lawn games. Inside the two taverns, period inspired drinks were enjoyed while there was much historical role play. While one tavern was filled with the smell of hops, the other wafted aromas of coffee brewing.
For participants collecting four merchant marks a reproduction of a wax sealed Tavern License was awarded.
While the event was enjoyed by many participants, raising glasses throughout the event, merchants also appeared to be having an enjoyable evening.. The merchants that participated attracted a crowd and contributed to the flavor and fun of the event.
Gilbert Stuart was putting brush to canvas at the Chowan Arts Council replicating a painting of President George Washington originally painted by Chowan County Commission Vice Chair Larry McLaughlin. The artist - McLaughlin - is a member of the CAC and his work hangs in the gallery. One of the highlights of the weekend was being able to enjoy the Iredell House and its bucolic setting. It was a perfect evening for a garden party in the midst of Dueling Taverns.