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Watermen’s Appreciation Day at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels

The Talbot County Watermen’s Association is bringing the 6th Annual Watermen’s Appreciation Day to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum on Sunday, August 9, with a few enhancements added to this year’s festival.

Highlighting these changes is the relocation of the festival’s “watermen’s rodeo” boat docking contest, which will be moving from the museum’s Fogg’s Cove to a larger venue at Navy Point, near the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse. Bleacher seating will also be provided for spectators to the contest. More children and family activities are also being added to this year’s festival.

“The boat docking contest is a major draw for this event,” said TCWA 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. The pricing for steamed crabs will be set by July 24, and will be announced at that time on CBMM’s website at www.cbmm.org

“The market drives the price of crabs,” said Chance. “Last year, we were able to offer all-you-can-eat steamed crabs at $25, and we’re really hoping to do the same again this year. We’ll know better as we get closer to the festival.”

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. Also beginning at noon, the day’s catch of steamed crabs—served by watermen—will be available for purchase, in addition to beer, water, soda, hot dogs, hamburgers, ice cream, and more.

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 festival-goers out on the Miles River throughout the day.

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 April 11, 2015; and A Broad Reach: 50 Years of Collecting, which opened May 23, 2015. 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 to the 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. event 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, and $8 for children 6-17, with all children under six years of age admitted 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.

For more information, visit www.cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.