Christmas in St. Michaels celebrates joy December 9-11

Christmas in St. Michaels is celebrating its 36^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 Dec. 9 - 11. 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. 9. 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. 11 at 3:00 p.m.

 

Holiday music will fill the air throughout the weekend event, including music provided by Christ Church St. Michaels beginning at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. A complete list of entertainment will be provided on Christmas in St. Michaels’ website.  

Family-favorite events include Saturday’s Breakfast with Santa for children ages 4 to 9 years old, 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 beginning of 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.

 

“We love to see local people and those from throughout the Mid-Atlantic return to our events year after year, especially for our homes tour,” says Christmas in St. Michaels Board President Pat Martin. “Christmas in St. Michaels includes one of Maryland’s longest-running home tours and features beautifully decorated homes in our historic district and among the area’s wide expanses of country and watersides.”

 

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, the Classic Motor Museum, and the St. Michaels Museum at St. Mary’s Square for Saturday and Sunday.

 

Christmas in St. Michaels’ Old Fashioned Eastern Shore Christmas Dinner takes place on Sat., Dec. 10 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, on the day of the event.  

 

This year’s 19^th Christmas in St. Michaels Collector’s Ornament features the Maryland Blue Crab and is adapted from an original drawing by local designer and artist Scott Sullivan. In 1989, the Blue Crab (Callinectes sapidus) was designated the Maryland State Crustacean and is the state’s most valuable commercial fishery. The Limited-Edition Ornaments are packaged in a keepsake box and are available for purchase at select area stores and on the Christmas in St. Michaels website beginning Sept. 25.

 

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.

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The Lighted Boat Parade begins along St. Michaels Harbor at 6:00 p.m. on Sat. Dec. 10 as part of Christmas in St. Michaels. The weekend event includes family-favorites like 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 parade routes, event details, online tickets, and more at christmasinstmichaels.org. Photo Courtesy George Sass, CBMM Volunteer.

 

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The Tour of Homes takes place during select hours on Dec. 10 & 11 during Christmas in St. Michaels, 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. Photos Courtesy William Willhelm.

 

 

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One of Christmas in St. Michaels’ key events is a holiday street parade, which begins along Talbot Street in St. Michaels at 10:30 a.m. on Sat., Dec. 10. Christmas in St. Michaels is celebrating its 36^th year of fundraising with a full menu of events taking place from Dec. 9 – 11, with more at christmasinstmichaels.org. Photos courtesy William Willhelm.

 

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Breakfast with Santa takes place on Sat., Dec. 10 from 8-10:00 a.m. at the waterfront Foxy’s Harbor Grille, with limited $10 tickets available for online purchasing. Christmas in St. Michaels’ Old Fashioned Eastern Shore Christmas Dinner takes place on Sat., Dec. 10 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. Details are at christmasinstmichaels.org.

 

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This year’s 19^th Christmas in St. Michaels Collector’s Ornament features the Maryland Blue Crab and is adapted from an original drawing by local designer and artist Scott Sullivan. The Limited-Edition Ornaments are packaged in a keepsake box and are available for purchase at select area stores and on the Christmas in St. Michaels website beginning Sept. 25. 

Plenty for youth to learn & explore at CBMM this fall

 ST. MICHAELS, Md., Sept. 22, 2022 – It’s a great time to learn and explore at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum with a variety of youth programming on tap this fall designed to engage children of all ages.

 

CBMM’s after-school programs – Rising Tide and Free Fishing – are back this month, a four-lesson STEAM Team series kicks off Oct. 8 and Lighthouse Overnight Adventures remain available for groups through October. That’s in addition to fall field trips for student groups, including school, Scout, and other youth programs.

 

Targeted at sixth-through-ninth graders, Rising Tide teaches the basics of tool use, following a build plan, and woodworking techniques. This fall, the program continues work on building two stand-up paddleboards as well as a few other smaller projects.

 

Rising Tide resumed Sept. 19 and is offered on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:30-5:30pm. Transportation is offered from the Easton YMCA and from St. Michaels Middle/High School (SMMHS). Register at bit.ly/RisingTide2022 or email risingtide@cbmm.org for more information.

Running Sept. 28 through Nov. 2, CBMM’s Free Fishing program invites community members of all ages for catch-and-release fishing on Wednesdays this fall from 3:30-5:30pm.

 

No fishing license or equipment is required to participate. Fishing rods and bait are provided, but participants are welcome to bring their own fishing pole. Children under 10 must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult. For middle and high school students, transportation from SMMHS to CBMM is provided.

 

This is a weather-permitting, drop-in program, but if you are interested in attending, please contact Youth Programs Coordinator Sophie Stuart at 410-745-4974.

 

In October and November, little mariners are invited to join CBMM’s STEAM Team! Led by an experienced educator in each Saturday session, children will explore Chesapeake-related topics that incorporate a variety of activities related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math).

 

Sessions are available for ages 4-6 and 6-9, beginning with an Oct. 8 program on Lighthouse Life. Other program themes include Shipwreck Scientists (Oct. 22), Simple Machines Move the Maritime World (Nov. 5), and Boats of the Bay (Nov. 12).

 

Class sizes are limited, with advanced registration needed. The cost per class is $15, with a 20% discount for CBMM members. Register online for all four sessions for an additional discount. Need-based scholarships for individual classes are available by emailing registration@cbmm.org. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/FallSTEAMTeam22.

 

Last but not least, groups can plan a Lighthouse Overnight Adventure this fall! Step back in time to experience the life of a lighthouse keeper and spend the night in the Hooper Strait Lighthouse at CBMM. Participants can try their hand at the keeper’s traditional duties, listen to stories and discover facts and clues about lighthouse living, navigation, and Bay history through hands-on activities.

 

Lighthouse Overnights are available on select Fridays and Saturdays throughout September and October. Request a date or check availability by completing the inquiry form at bit.ly/LighthouseOvernight2022 or contact CBMM’s education staff at registration@cbmm.org for more information.

Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival XXXIX is Sept. 30–Oct. 2

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Sept. 6, 2022 – From Friday–Sunday, Sept. 30–Oct. 2, 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 XXXIX.

 

Over the three days, 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, hailing from near and far, are set to showcase their boats at the 39th annual festival.

  

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, and small craft owners from across the country will 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, there 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 10am–5pm each day. For more information, visit cbmm.org/smallcraftfestival. Anyone looking to participate as an exhibitor should visit cbmm.org/mascfparticipants.

 

CBMM begins next phase of Master Plan upgrades

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is pleased to announce that it has broken ground on its new Welcome Center—a major milestone marking the start of Phase II of its ongoing Master Plan campus upgrades. 

 

Opening in 2023, the new, fully ADA accessible building will house CBMM’s Welcome Center, Museum Store, and two exhibition spaces.  

 

“The new building will immensely enhance the guest experience at CBMM and provide an even warmer welcome to campus,” said Kristen Greenaway, CBMM’s President & CEO. “Our Master Plan is designed to create increased space for CBMM’s core museum offerings—including exhibitions, education, and in the shipyard—and we can’t wait for you to see it!” 

 

CBMM’s Master Plan also includes a Phase III focus on utilization of outdoor space and an expansion of Shipyard facilities, designed to showcase the ever-expanding range of shipyard education, boatbuilding, and exhibitions. 

 

Three phases make up the Master Plan, with the scope and timeline contingent upon funding. Funding sources will come from individual donations and naming opportunities, grants, and operations. You too can support CBMM’s efforts to enhance campus and create better public offerings by donating to The Annual Fund. Visit cbmm.org/donate to learn how. 

 

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. 

 

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The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum recently broke ground on its new Welcome Center, marking the start of Phase II of its Master Plan campus upgrades. This rendering shows what the new building will look like when completed in 2023. 

August 14 brings crabs, watermen’s rodeo to St. Michaels at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum

On Sunday, Aug. 14, Watermen’s Appreciation Day returns to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md., featuring a spirited boat docking contest, steamed crabs and other regional food, live music, beer, boat rides, family activities, and more. The fundraising event is organized by CBMM in cooperation with the Talbot Watermen Association, with proceeds benefiting both organizations. 

The opportunity to meet the Chesapeake’s watermen, along with local steamed crabs, beer, and other food and beverages continue to highlight the waterfront festival. Eventgoers can also take part in a silent auction in the Small Boat Shed, with all proceeds supporting the Talbot Watermen Association. 

 

Beginning at noon, the event’s “watermen’s rodeo” boat docking contest returns to the Miles River near CBMM's 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse. Bleacher seating will be provided for spectators to the contest, and children’s activities will be offered throughout the day.  

 

“It’s a great day of celebrating the Chesapeake Bay’s watermen—from the rodeo to the cold beer, hot crabs, and live music” said TWA President Jeff Harrison. “And we’re grateful to partner with CBMM on this important fundraising event for more than a decade now.”  

 

  

Starting 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. Steamed crabs will be sold by the dozen, with pricing set by July 29 and posted at cbmm.org.  

 

Also beginning at 11am, live music with Bird Dog and the Road Kings from the historic Tolchester Beach Bandstand will have people tapping their toes and dancing along CBMM’s waterfront. 

 

Admission to the 10am–5pm, rain-or-shine, event includes the boat docking contest, live music, numerous family activities, entrance to all CBMM exhibitions and historic structures, and is set at $18 for adults, $8 for children 6–17, with all children 5 years of age and under admitted free. CBMM members along with licensed watermen and their immediate families get discounted admission at $10 per adult, and $6 per child ages 6–17. Food and beverages are additional.  

  

Advanced admission tickets can be purchased online at cbmm.org/watermensday, with tickets also sold at the door the day of the event. Discounted watermen’s tickets will also be available at the door the day of the event, with an active watermen’s license shown. Boat rides, steamed crabs, beer, and additional food and beverages will be available for purchase. Free event parking will be available at St. Michaels High School, with a complimentary shuttle service to and from CBMM running throughout the day. 

  

For safety reasons, non-service dogs need to be kept home during CBMM festivals, including Watermen’s Appreciation Day. Carry-on alcohol from dock or land is also prohibited. Spectator boats wishing to view the competition from the water must remain outside the buoyed channel.  

 

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

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Watermen’s Appreciation Day returns to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, Md. on Sunday, Aug. 14, with a “watermen’s rodeo” boat docking contest, steamed crabs and other food, beer, live music, boat rides, family activities, and more. Proceeds from the event benefit CBMM and the Talbot Watermen Association, with advanced tickets and more information at cbmm.org/watermensday.