Solomons, MD – The rich history of where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Patuxent River was showcased Saturday, May 6 at Calvert Marine Museum (CMM). The facility in Solomons hosted its annual Maritime Festival. Although the looming clouds and possibility of rain kept the numbers down, visitors of all ages still took advantage of all there was to see and do. Museum Director Sherrod Sturrock told TheBayNet.com that the Maritime Festival is an audible as well as a visual and hands-on event. Indeed, the sounds duck calls, music, vintage boat engines and the dozens of hammers in the pavilion where visitors were building wooden boats could all be heard.
The sense of taste also got rewarded. In addition to food prepared and sold by American Legion Post #274, Rita’s, and home baked goods sold by the CMM Volunteer Council, there were food demonstrations with free samples. Visitors got to see the preparation of pan fried soft crabs, Back Creek pan fried crab cakes and stuffed ham.
Music was provided by the costumed maritime group Bone & String, who performed under the Drum Point Lighthouse; while under Corbin Pavilion the Mount Zion Male Chorus, the Round House String Band, Not So Modern Jazz, the Smoke Creek Rounders and the Southern Mix Barbershop Chorus entertained visitors.
Attendees could go beyond the museum’s confines and view Solomons and the surrounding area by taking a cruise aboard the bugeye Wm. B. Tennison. The free cruises were funded by the Calvert County Commissioners. The local Sea Scouts were also providing free rides in a smaller vessel.
In the CMM Exhibition Building, experts demonstrated knitting, spinning wool, embroidery, quilting and weaving.
The 2017 Solomons Maritime Festival was sponsored by the Calvert County Watermen’s Association, Community Bank of the Chesapeake, Holiday Inn Solomons, McCready Boatyard, Papa John’s, Patuxent Small Craft Guild, Spring Cove Marina, Washburn’s Boat Yard and Zahniser’s Yachting Center.
For more information about Calvert Marine Museum visit their website
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
