Take the family to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels to celebrate seafood and waterman on Aug. 9, 10 a.m. To 5 p.m.
There will be a watermen’s rodeo boat docking competition, where local seafarers can show off their stuff, along with family activities, live music, steamed crabs and more.
More children and family activities are being added to this year’s festival, and there will also be a change in the location of the watermen’s rodeo boat docking contest. It will move from the museum’s Fogg’s Cove to a larger venue at Navy Point, near the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, where there will be bleacher seating for spectators.
“The boat docking contest is a major draw for this event,” said Talbot County Watermen’s Association President Bunky Chance. “By relocating the contest to the other side of campus, we’ll give spectators a larger, better vantage point while giving our boats more space on the water.”
Reality TV star Captain Keith Colburn from the F/V Wizard on Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch” will be making his first Watermen’s Day appearance, with Edgar Hansen from the F/V Northwestern returning to the festival.
Steamed crabs, beer and other foods and beverages will be available for purchase. The event is hosted by TCWA in cooperation with CBMM, with proceeds benefiting both organizations. Local crabs will be sold at $20 per dozen. Crabs can also be pre-paid from 10 a.m. – noon at either of the two crab tents at the event on Aug. 9th. The watermen will begin serving crabs at noon. There will also be soda, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream and more.
Beginning at 11 a.m., you can watch professionals in the spirited boat docking contest along Navy Point. Children’s on-the-water activities include a Pot Pie skiff rowing competition, with prizes awarded.
Starting at noon, the classic rock, country and blues sounds of Bird Dog and the Road Kings will have people tapping their toes and dancing along the museum’s waterfront as the region’s favorite band plays live from the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand.
Games for kids
Children and families can enjoy games and activities throughout the day, including competing in an anchor toss, line baiting or a rowboat racing contest. Scenic river cruises aboard the museum’s 1920 buyboat, Winnie Estelle, will take place throughout the day on the Miles River.
Bids can be placed on a number of silent auction items, including work by noted Chesapeake artist Marc Castelli. Silent auction bids can be made up until 4:30 p.m., with proceeds supporting the Talbot County Watermen’s Association.
Throughout the day, festival-goers can get an up-close view of the museum’s floating fleet of historic Chesapeake vessels, along with a selection of working watermen’s boats.
Festival admission also includes entrance to CBMM’s temporary exhibitions, A Chesapeake Swan Song: From Commodity to Conservation, which opened in April; and A Broad Reach: 50 Years of Collecting, which opened in May. During the festival, visitors will have full access to CBMM’s 12 exhibition buildings, including the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse.
“Watermen’s Day is an annual favorite among locals and guests alike,” said CBMM President Kristen Greenaway. “You can meet many of the watermen who work to bring seafood to tables across the region, while having a great time celebrating the Chesapeake in such an incredibly authentic way.”
Admission will be collected at the gate the day of the event and includes the boat docking contest, celebrity appearances, and the Bird Dog and the Road Kings performance at $18 for adults, $8 for children 6-17, and children younger than 6, free. Museum members along with licensed watermen and their families get discounted admission at $10 per adult, and $6 per children ages 6-17. Boat rides, steamed crabs, beer and additional food and beverages will be available for purchase.
All event parking will be available at St. Michaels High School, with free shuttle service to the museum running throughout the day.
For safety reasons, non-service dogs need to be kept home during CBMM festivals, including Watermen’s Appreciation Day. Leashed dogs are only permitted on the museum’s campus during regular operating hours.
For details call 410-745-2916 or visit cbmm.org
