20th Annual Midnight Madness to be held December 3rd-4th in St. Michaels

Celebrating the holidays in St. Michaels is a tradition for many, and this year is no different. Maryland’s Eastern Shore is home to many picturesque towns, but none embody an old-fashioned holiday feel quite like St. Michaels. With our quaint shops, world-class dining and jolly spirit, St. Michaels is transformed during the holidays into a Christmas wonderland.

Visiting St. Michaels during the holiday season is a special experience and provides a wonderful backdrop to shop for the holidays in our coastal harbor town as we celebrate Christmas in St. Michaels.   

The Town of St. Michaels is filled with the holiday spirit and the festivities will begin on the first weekend in December for the 20th Annual Midnight(ish) Madness on Saturday, December 4th

The holiday spirit is felt throughout town, which makes coming to St Michaels during the holiday season a special experience, year after year, and provides a wonderful backdrop to shop for the holidays.   

Join us Friday, December 3rd at 6pm in front of St. Luke's Church for our Small Business Holiday Tree lighting.  

The Midnight Madness elves have worked hard to keep the tradition alive while keeping in mind the welfare of businesses and visitors to make your experience safe and enjoyable.     The hybrid virtual/in person drawing will be held at The Galley, the Midnight Madness headquarters, located in the heart of town on Talbot Street.   

As in previous years, Midnight Madness will have amazing gift baskets donated from participating businesses.    Participating businesses will distribute raffle tickets with qualifying purchases on Friday, December 3rd and Saturday, December 4th.  Limited distribution and less tickets offers more opportunities to win amazing baskets filled with gift certificates and goodies!   

The Midnight(ish) Madness Gift Basket Drawing will be held at The Galley Restaurant and on our Midnight Madness St. Michaels Facebook Page starting at 10pm!!  Winners will be notified via phone call starting at 10 pm so be sure to watch and wait for the call!  You must answer to win!  

Thanks to the many participating Midnight Madness sponsors and donations from businesses, Midnight Madness would not happen without them! 

Visit www.stmichaelsmd.org for details.

Santa comes to Christmas in St. Michaels this December

Santa comes to Christmas in St. Michaels this December

Santa will be helping Christmas in St. Michaels celebrate its 35^th year of weekend festivities with several appearances in St. Michaels during the December 10 -12 slate of events.

The highlight for children and families is Saturday’s Breakfast with Santa, which takes place from 8-10:00 a.m. on Dec. 11 at the waterfront Foxy’s Harbor Grille. Limited $10 tickets are available in advance, with online purchasing available.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will also be participating in the Talbot Street Parade, which follows the breakfast and begins at 10:30 on Saturday. The event was suspended last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Spectators will also see plenty of people dressed as Santa for the Santa Dash as they run in the fun-filled, rain or shine Saturday event.

Christmas in St. Michaels also brings holiday music to the historic town, including a special Mid-Shore Community Band performance of seasonal music from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon on Sat., Dec. 11 at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Talbot Street. The Jackson Jubilee Singers are set to perform at 1:30 p.m. with soul-stirring gospel music.

This year’s events also include the return of the new Lighted Boat Parade; a Tour of Homes; Holiday Meals; a Marketplace and Sweet Shoppe, and a Light up the Night drive-by house and harbor tour.

The 2021 Christmas in St. Michaels collectible ornament features Maggie the Fire Truck—a local legend with an interesting history—and was rendered by local designer and artist Scott Sullivan.

The goal for this year’s events is to raise funds to distribute grants to local beneficiaries. More than 25 family services, education and child development, and community enhancement organizations depend on Christmas in St. Michaels funds to support their programs and activities.

Christmas in St. Michaels began in 1987 when a group of energetic volunteers recognized the need for daycare services in the community. Funds were raised through community support, and a daycare center was established, now known as Critchlow Adkins Children Centers. Sponsors and patrons of Christmas in St. Michaels since that time have helped raise more than $1.4M in support of numerous local non-profit organizations.

Proceeds from Christmas in St. Michaels help the people served by local non-profit organizations, with event updates, online purchases, and more about Christmas in St. Michaels at christmasinstmichaels.org.

Santa is joined by Christmas in St. Michaels Treasurer Linda Seemans, left, and President Pat Martin, right, to help plan his and Mrs. Claus’s appearances in this year’s Dec. 10 – 12 events. The highlight for children and families is Breakfast with Santa, which takes place Dec. 11 from 8-10:00 a.m. at the waterfront Foxy’s Harbor Grille, and is followed by the Talbot Street Parade. The weekend is packed with a full slate of events for everyone, including a Homes Tour and Marketplace & Sweet Shoppe, with more at christmasinstmichaels.org.

LYON RUM NAMED BEST US CRAFT RUM DISTILLERY FOR SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

LYON RUM, the flagship spirit of Windon Distilling Company, is the 2021 Best Craft Rum Distillery in the annual USAToday 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, making the small-batch distillery the recipient of the coveted title for the second year in a row.

Selected by a panel of industry experts and rum aficionados, LYON RUM is the only Maryland distillery ranked among the 20 finalists, for the past five years.

“We love rum and are thrilled to be honored as the best, and perhaps most beloved, rum distillery again this year,” says Jaime Windon, founder & CEO of Windon Distilling Company. 

The distillery is currently in the process of renovating and expanding to offer an enhanced visitor experience, including a new tasting room and cocktail space, so that they can continue educating and delighting visitors on the versatility and nuances of rum, or as Windon refers to it, “America’s original spirit.” 

“As a small brand embarking on our ninth year, it’s quite an honor to be nominated among these other great American rums. Even more rewarding is knowing that we have the support and love from the actual people who enjoy what we make. My job is to get the rum to those people – across Maryland, in both stores and restaurants, and also now, direct to their doorstep!” noted Jessi Windon, VP of sales, and the official rum runner of LYON RUM.

In addition to supplying the state of Maryland through its own wholesale division, LYON RUM is distributed across the Mid-Atlantic and areas of the South, in a total of nine states. Through special extended legislation, the distillery will continue its popular home delivery service – free to all Maryland zip codes – through the end of 2022, as well as offer direct shipping through a third-party retailer to over 40 states. 

Head distiller Brett Steigerwaldt, who has been with the company since 2016, reflects that “Winning this title two years in a row is huge! It is confirmation that people are taking notice of the exceptional rums being made by our passionate and dedicated team – and this honor helps us continue to show the world the potential for American rum.”

In 2013 LYON RUM became the first rum in decades to be distilled in Maryland, and for the last 8 years the distillery has been a leader in the industry, working to further redefine the category of new American rum and advance the legislative goals of small distillers across the country. LYON RUM // Windon Distilling Company is a proud member of the Maryland Distillers Guild, the American Craft Spirits Association, the American Distilling Institute, and the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. Jaime Windon serves on the DISCUS Craft Advisory Council, and also leads the Maryland Distillers Guild’s Legislative Committee.

 

LYON RUM // Windon Distilling Company
605 S. Talbot St. #6 
Saint Michaels, Maryland
www.allyouneedisrum.com

www.lyonrum.com

Fall into St. Michaels to return October 23 – 24, 2021

 
The change of the season brings excitement and vibrant color to the Town of St. Michaels, as residents and businesses celebrate their annual harvest festival “Fall into St. Michaels” October 23-24, 2021.    The change of the season brings excitement and vibrant color to the town, as residents and businesses celebrate Fall into St. Michaels.  Enjoy our fabulous restaurants, charming boutiques and galleries, or take a boat ride out on the water for some local history and sights.    Stay in our inns and B & B's for some much needed relaxation. The autumn months are a perfect time to visit St. Michaels for a romantic retreat or a family get away.     

Fall into St. Michaels festivities begin with the town-wide scarecrow contest starting on Saturday, October 16, 2021. Participating businesses will compete in the Scarecrow Contest, where each business will have the chance to win in one of the following three categories: Traditional, Whimsical or Humorous.

 The following weekend, October 23rd thru October 24th the Fall into St. Michaels festivities go into full swing on Saturday, October 22nd with the return of the highly anticipated Pumpkin Carving contest will return where participating St. Michaels Business Association businesses will sponsor the pumpkins, which are carved by experienced and novice carvers alike, each striving for the top spot in one of the pumpkin categories.  The pumpkin carving will be held at the St. Michaels Community Center on Saturday, October 23rd starting at 10:00am.  

Judging takes place 1:00pm - 1:30pm and then the pumpkins will remain on display until 6:00pm on Saturday and 10:00am thru 2:00pm on Sunday.  Winners for scarecrow and pumpkin contests will be announced on www.stmichaelsmd.org 

 The St. Michaels Community Center Annual Pumpkin Pie Competition will be held during the Pumpkin Carving Contest at the St. Michaels Community Center. The Pumpkin Pie Competition is open to professionals, home bakers and children. Each group will be judged on traditional or creative creations. Cash prizes will be awarded to top three winners in each category, and of course, bragging rights and a plaque go to the winners. Participating bakers must submit 2 – 3 pies of the same recipe.  The St. Michaels Community Center will be selling pieces and whole pies of those entered. Judging will begin at 10:00 am and sales will begin at 11:00am. Proceeds of the bake sale will benefit the programs and activities of the St. Michaels Community Center. Please contact the SMCC 410-745-6073 for more information or to register as an entrant. The St. Michaels Community Center is located on the corner of Railroad Street and Fremont Street.

The Galley Restaurant will host their first Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest on Saturday afternoon, visit their website to register.  www.thegalleysaintmichaels.com

Dog owners from all over Maryland join the residents of St. Michaels on Sunday on the lawn at the St. Michaels Inn for the annual Jack Russell Races. This year’s races will begin at 11:00 am. Registration is available online and at 10 a.m. that morning.  The proceeds from the benefit will go to St. Michaels Community Food Bank and Humane of Talbot, Caroline and Dorchester Counties.

The races will be broken down into categories: Jack Russell, Dachshund Dash and the famous “So Your Dog Thinks He’s a Jack” race. All dogs are welcome at the event, big or small, racing or not, to mingle with other dog lovers in Talbot County. Dogs under 25 pounds are welcome to race.
The event will be held, rain or shine! Refreshments, including Coffee & Donuts and a Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar, will be available on site. There will be live raffles of items from area restaurants and retailers between races! Registration can be made ahead of time or at the event.   Mimosas and Bloody Mary bar will be available, as well as a great time watching the races.  The Jack Russell races will not happen if there is inclement weather. 

For this and more events happening around St. Michaels this Fall and Winter season please visit our website www.stmichaelsmd.org. 

 

Save the Date for our Midnight Madness event on Saturday, December 4, 2021.

Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XXXVII is Oct. 1–3

From Friday–Saturday, Oct. 1–3, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will once again host one of the nation’s largest gatherings of small boat enthusiasts and unique watercraft at Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XXXVII.  

 

During the festival, CBMM guests can marvel at the craftsmanship and innovation used in traditional and contemporary small craft while enjoying CBMM’s waterfront campus and indoor and outdoor exhibitions. Hundreds of amateur and professional boatbuilders and enthusiasts come from all over the region to display their one-of-a-kind kayaks, canoes, and other traditional small craft. 

   

Sailing skiffs, rowing shells, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, prams, and one-of-a-kind boats will be on display and in the water throughout this family-oriented event. Small craft owners hailing from all over the country will also be available to share their knowledge and boating experiences with guests 

  

On Saturday, CBMM Shipyard staff and Chesapeake Wooden Boat Builders School instructors will be on hand to offer boatbuilding and maritime demonstrations. Also beginning at 1pm on Saturday will be a lively Miles River race of small craft, which can be viewed from CBMM’s waterfront and docks.  

 

Festival-goers will be able to vote for their favorite boat, with the People’s Choice award and others announced among participants on Saturday evening. Limited offerings will be available for the public to see on Sunday. 

  

For safety reasons, dogs are not permitted on museum grounds during CBMM festivals, with the exception of certified service dogs.  

  

Public entrance to the Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival is included with CBMM’s general admission, which is good for two consecutive days and free for CBMM members. Hours are 9am–5pm each day. For more information, visit cbmm.org/smallcraftfestival. Anyone looking to participate as an exhibitor should visit cbmm.org/mascfparticipants. 

Christmas in St. Michaels’ slate of events are December 10-12

Christmas in St. Michaels is celebrating its 35^th year of fundraising festivities with the return and expansion of its weekend of holiday events taking place on the water and in the heart of historic St. Michaels, Md. This year’s events include a Lighted Boat Parade and festive Talbot Street Parade; a Tour of Homes; Breakfast with Santa; Holiday Music and Meals; a Santa Dash; a Marketplace and Sweet Shoppe, and a Light up the Night drive-by house and harbor tour.

The goal for this year’s Christmas in St. Michaels events is to raise funds to distribute grants to local beneficiaries. More than 25 family services, education and child development, and community enhancement organizations depend on Christmas in St. Michaels funds to support their programs and activities.

The Marketplace and Sweet Shoppe located at St. Mary’s Square’s Granite Lodge kick off the weekend event at noon on Fri., Dec. 10. Proceeds from every sale benefit local nonprofits, with shoppers finding one-of-a-kind, artisan-crafted items and culinary delights available only during this weekend event. The Marketplace and Sweet Shoppe are open for select hours through Sun., Dec. 12 at 3:00 p.m.

Holiday music will fill the air throughout the weekend event, including a special Mid-Shore Community Band performance of seasonal music from 10:00 – 12:00 noon on Sat., Dec. 11 at the corner of Railroad Avenue and Talbot Street. The Jackson Jubilee Singers are set to perform at 1:30 p.m. with soul-stirring gospel music.

Family-favorite events include Saturday’s Breakfast with Santa, which takes place from 8-10:00 a.m. at the waterfront Foxy’s Harbor Grille, with limited $10 tickets available for online purchasing. The 10:30 a.m. Talbot Street Parade, Santa Dash, and the Tour of Homes are wonderful mid-day events, with the Lighted Boat Parade beginning along St. Michaels Harbor at 6:00 p.m. Parade routes, event details, online tickets, and more are at christmasinstmichaels.org.

“The Tour of Homes is one of the highlights of the Christmas in St. Michaels weekend, and it’s great to have all our events back after last year’s pandemic pause,” said Christmas in St. Michaels Board President Pat Martin. “Christmas in St. Michaels has one of Maryland’s longest-running home tours by featuring historic homes in the village and some very special countryside homes.”

The Tour of Homes takes place during select hours on Saturday and Sunday, with limited tickets available for advanced online purchase. The $25 per person ticket includes a one-time admission to all tour homes; transportation to the countryside homes; a detailed tour guide booklet with local information, detailed home and other major St. Michaels landmark descriptions; and free admission to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum for Saturday and Sunday.

Christmas in St. Michaels’ Old Fashioned Eastern Shore Christmas Dinner takes place on Sat., Dec. 12 starting at 11:00 a.m. and lasting until 3:00 p.m., or when the meals are sold out. Dinners include sliced roast turkey, Maryland fried oysters, and a large assortment of sides and desserts. The event will be held at the Union United Parish Hall on Fremont Street in St. Michaels with dine-in and carry-out dinners available at $20 per person, with tickets sold at the door, the day of the event.  

This year’s 18^th Christmas in St. Michaels Collector’s Ornament features Maggie the Fire Truck—a local legend with an interesting history—and was rendered by local designer and artist Scott Sullivan. Maggie was in operation until the 1950s, and is often seen and celebrated today at parades and local festivals. The Limited-Edition Ornaments are packaged in a keepsake box and are now available for purchase at select area stores and on the Christmas in St. Michaels website.

Christmas in St. Michaels began in 1987 when a group of energetic volunteers recognized the need for daycare services in the community. Funds were raised through community support, and a daycare center was established, now known as Critchlow Adkins Children Centers. Sponsors and patrons of Christmas in St. Michaels since that time have helped raise more than $1.4M in support of numerous local non-profit organizations.

Proceeds from Christmas in St. Michaels help the people served by local non-profit organizations. Event updates, online purchases, and more about Christmas in St. Michaels are at christmasinstmichaels.org.

Pride of Baltimore II to visit St. Michaels Aug. 7-8

                  

Pride of Baltimore II to visit St. Michaels Aug. 7-8  

The tall ship Pride of Baltimore II will visit the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md. the first weekend in August. The replica schooner will be available for deck tours from 2–5pm on Saturday & Sunday, Aug. 7–8, 2021. Tours are free with general admission to CBMM, which is good for two days and free for CBMM members.  

In conjunction with the visit, the Chesapeake Independent Blues, a Maryland War of 1812 volunteer interpretive organization, will also be on CBMM’s campus Aug. 7–8, providing living historical impressions of the citizen-soldiers from Talbot County who served in the Maryland Militia during the War of 1812. Reproductions of the arms and material culture used by the militia will be on display, as will civilian and uniformed interpreters. Historic weapon firing demonstrations will be offered daily on Navy Point, at 11am, 1pm, and 3pm on Saturday and at 1 and 3pm on Sunday.  

Both visits are made possible through a partnership between Pride of Baltimore II and the National Park Service. Throughout 2021, Pride is serving as a trail ambassador at Chesapeake Bay ports along the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail and providing free interpretive programs and a new traveling exhibit to help both organizations to connect with underserved communities and expand recreational opportunities throughout the Bay.  

In 1988, the Pride of Baltimore II was commissioned as a sailing memorial to its immediate predecessor, the original Pride of Baltimore, which sank in 1986 due to a white squall off Puerto Rico. Both ships were built in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor as reproductions of 1812-era topsail schooners, or Baltimore Clippers, which helped America win the War of 1812 and finally secure its freedom.  

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to preserving and exploring the history, environment, and culture of the entire Chesapeake Bay region, and making this resource available to all.  

Every aspect of fulfilling this mission is driven by CBMM’s values of relevance, authenticity, and stewardship, along with a commitment to providing engaging guest experiences and transformative educational programming, all while serving as a vital community partner. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.  

For more information, contact:        

                 Bethany Ziegler, Senior Communications Manager  

                 Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum  

                 410-310-0607, bziegler@cbmm.org  

                          

(ST MICHAELS, MD – Tuesday, July 27, 2021)  

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PHOTO:
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The tall ship Pride of Baltimore II will be at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., on from Aug. 7–8, with free dockside deck tours offered throughout the weekend. For more information, visit cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.