ST. MICHAELS, Md – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will celebrate Independence Day with its annual Big Band Night on Sunday, July 5, inviting the community to enjoy an evening of live music, family activities, and fireworks on its waterfront campus.
This star-spangled celebration in honor of America’s 250th anniversary runs from 7-10pm, with gates opening at 6pm. Tickets are available now at cbmm.org/BigBandNight and can also be purchased at the door. CBMM members save with discounted pricing.
Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, and picnic baskets to enjoy Big Band Night, which is generously sponsored by Eastern Shore Tents & Events.
The Shades of Blue Orchestra returns to the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand, beginning at 7pm, to provide a high-energy soundtrack for the evening. The Baltimore-based, 18-piece ensemble combines brass, woodwind, and rhythm instruments, along with talented vocalists, to deliver a classic big band sound with a playlist from the 1930s to today.
At dusk, fireworks will light up the sky over the Miles River, continuing a long-standing St. Michaels tradition. CBMM is a proud sponsor of this year’s display.
Children can enjoy inflatables and more fun on Fogg’s Landing throughout the evening.
A variety of local vendors, including Cousins Maine Lobster, Hooked on Seafood, EZ Access Eats, Amy Cool’s Ice Cream, Kona Ice, and Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, will offer food and non-alcoholic beverages for purchase. Guests may also bring their own food and drinks, including alcoholic beverages.
Big Band Night offers a great opportunity to explore CBMM’s new Emblems of America special exhibition in the Van Lennep Auditorium. The display spotlights the use of patriotic imagery on trailboards, figureheads, and other marine carvings in CBMM’s collection, many of which are on long-term display on the auditorium’s walls.
Guests may enter CBMM’s campus through the Welcome Center or South Entrance. The Museum Store will have extended hours to allow Big Band Night guests to shop, including a special selection of red, white, and blue housewares and gifts curated for this festive summer season.
Big Band Night admission is $7 for CBMM members with member children 17-and-under admitted free. The cost for non-members is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors (65+) and college students with ID, $5 for children 6–17, and free for children 5-and-younger. All active and retired military members receive free admission to this event.
CBMM members receive discounted pricing to Big Band Night and more festivals celebrating the best of the Bay throughout the year. To support CBMM’s mission as a member of the community shaping the Chesapeake, visit cbmm.org/memberships or contact Membership Services Coordinator Debbie Ruzicka at 410-745-4991 or [email protected].
For safety reasons, non-service dogs must be kept home during CBMM special events, including Big Band Night.
There’s more fun for the whole family ahead at CBMM, including the rest of its Chesapeake Celebrations series: Play on the Bay (Saturday, June 27), Stories from the Shoreline(Saturday, July 18), and Love the Bay (Saturday, Aug. 15).
The next festival on the schedule is Watermen’s Appreciation Day on Sunday, Aug. 9, which celebrates the men and women who work the Bay with steamed crabs by the dozen, a spirited workboat docking competition, live music, and more.
Check the calendar at cbmm.org/Events to learn more about these upcoming events and more opportunities to explore, learn, and celebrate at CBMM this summer.
