Celebrate all things nautical on the banks of the beautiful St. Mary’s River on Saturday, June 14, 2008. Historic St. Mary’s City (HSMC), a museum of living history and archaeology in tidewater Maryland, will host the sixth annual Maritime Heritage Festival from 10 until 5. Come for the day, stay for the evening. This year, the Festival will be followed by An Evening on Aldermanbury Street. After hours, enjoy a casual dinner and music under the stars on the State House green.
During the day, landlubbers and sailors will enjoy hands-on activities and entertainment. Sing a chantey, knot a line, smile at a jollyboat, or sit on a sloop. Learn about underwater archaeology and boating safety. Explore small craft visiting from throughout the region and relax to music by Ship Company Chanteymen and Charlie Zahm, with fiddler Tad Marks. Skipjack Dee of St. Mary’s will depart at 1:00 p.m., 2:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. for 1-hour river cruises. There is a surcharge for the boat ride and reservations are recommended. Don’t forget to wish HSMC’s pinnace, the Maryland Dove, a happy birthday. She turns 30 this year, a ripe, old age for a wooden ship.
After hours, stay for An Evening on Aldermanbury Street. Guests will muster on the State House green after 5:00 p.m. for lemonade and river views. Those seeking a livelier brew will find their needs met at a cash bar. Casual dining will be offered by Expressions Catering until 7:00 p.m. Feast on honey barbeque chicken, pulled pork, all-beef franks, salads, sides, and scrumptious desserts.
As the sun sinks low, Zahm, Marks, and the Chanteymen will serenade you through the close of the day. Ship’s Company Chanteymen, a colorful band of living history re-enactors dedicated to preserving maritime music and other forms of traditional entertainment, will perform hearty work songs, soulful ballads, and lively instrumentals. Charlie Zahm weaves magical moments with his fine baritone, passion for performance, and mastery of the guitar. Charlie will be joined by Baltimore fiddler Tad Marks, who is considered one of the finest fiddlers on the East Coast.
Admission to the museum is free for Friends members or $10.00 for adults, $8 for seniors, $6 for students, and $3.50 for children from 6-12 years. There is a surcharge for the skipjack cruise (adults pay $15 and children are $10 apiece) and for the evening activities ($25). Friends members receive discount pricing for both events ($20 for dinner and $10 adult/$7.50 child for the skipjack ride). To make a reservation for the cruise, or the evening activities, please contact Porzia at 240-895-4960 pmarneson@smcm.edu.