Photo By Jill Jasuta
Blockbuster Weekend on the ShorebrbrThe Eastern Shore is filled with historic towns, friendly folks, and, not to mention, some of the best sunsets throughout Maryland! Whether you already live in the Chesapeake region or you’re a short drive across the bridge, these are some not-to-be-missed weekend events on the Shore.
Chesapeake Film Festival
Even with all of today’s movie viewing options, the Chesapeake Film Festival is a great place to witness new works, discover hidden treasures, and engage with the heart of an artist. Cele ating its 10th year, the Chesapeake Film Festival is a movie-goers dream.
The Basics
Date: Friday, October 27th through Sunday, October 29th
Time: Times vary each day. Click here for a full weekend schedule.
Location: Avalon Theatre (40 E. Dover Street, Easton); Cam idge Premier Cinemas (2759 Dorchester Square, Cam idge); Easton Premier Cinemas (210 Marlboro Ave, Easton); Talbot County Free Li ary (100 W. Dover Street, Easton); Troika Gallery (9 S. Harrison Street #1, Easton); Academy Art Museum (106 South Street, Easton).
Website: http://chesapeakefilmfestival.com/
The Details
What can guests expect?
Opening Day will feature the comedy Swing Away about professional golfer, Zoe Papadopolus, who travels to her grandparent’s village in Greece to escape the harsh spotlight of the international sports world. On Saturday, the focus will be the critical issues of conservation and preservation of the Chesapeake Bay and the environment, which will culminate with the screening of the National Geographic film Before the Flood, produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese. Closing Day, the festival will sponsor William Wyler: The Films and the Music featuring Dr. Rachel Franklin, followed by the CFF Student Film Showcase, and the film, Father and the Bear, with a cocktail reception.
Food and drinks?
There will be a cocktail party opening night at Troika Gallery and another on closing day at the Academy Art Museum.
Are tickets still available?
Yes! Ticket prices are as follows: $30 Opening Night Film & Reception, $50 Single Day Pass, $85 Weekend Pass; and $12 Saturday Box Lunch. Tickets can be purchased here.
OysterFest
Photo by CBMM
The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will host OysterFest, a cele ation of the Chesapeake’s favorite bivalve. Family activities are in abundance, with river cruises, scavenger hunts, face painting, and so much more. With everything from live music and boat rides, to demonstrations and delicious oysters, this is the perfect family-friendly event out by the water.
The Basics
Date: Saturday, October 28th
Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, located at 213 north Talbot Street in St. Michaels
Website: http://cbmm.org/
The Details
What can guests expect?
The event features live music on two stages, boat rides, retriever demonstrations, oysters and other local fare, an oyster stew competition and cooking demonstrations, along with children’s activities, oyster demonstrations, harvesting displays, and Chesapeake-related documentary screenings. In addition to the museum’s floating fleet of historic vessels, several commercial watermen and their boats will be dockside to share the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster dredging and hand-tonging traditions.
Food and drinks?
Local restaurants will perform cooking demonstrations of signature oyster dishes throughout the day, with oyster slurping contests offered every hour from 1–3 p.m. Festival-goers can vote for their favorite oyster stew in a competition among local restaurants and chefs.
What about parking?
Follow the signs to Museum parking and the ick path with painted crabs will lead you along St. Michael’s harbor front to the Welcome Center.
Are tickets still available?
Yes! Admission is $18 adults, $15 seniors, $6 children 6–17, $5 adult members, free children five and under. Click here to purchase.
Where do the proceeds go?
Proceeds from the event will support Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s education, restoration, and exhibition programs.
Downrigging Weekend Tall Ship and Wooden Boat Festival
Photo by Agent Aerials
Now in its 17th year, Sultana’s Downrigging Weekend Tall Ship and Wooden Boat Festival has evolved into one of the largest annual Tall Ship gatherings on the East Coast.
The Basics
Date: Friday, October 27th through Sunday, October 29th
Time: Friday (Events start at 12 p.m.); Saturday (Events start at 8 a.m.); Sunday (Events start at 8:30 a.m.). See here for a full weekend schedule.
Location: Most Downrigging Weekend Events are located in a two-block area of Chestertown Waterfront.
Website: http://sultanaeducation.org/public-programs/sultana-public-sails/downrigging-weekend-2/
The Details
What can guests expect?
Visitors to the festival can expect to see a waterfront packed with ships, schooners, and wooden boats; performances by world-class musicians; lectures by nationally recognized authors and filmmakers; and plenty of opportunities to go sailing as part of a fleet of “Tall Ships.”
Food and drinks?
On the Waterfront: Located just feet from the Tall Ships, the Fish Whistle Restaurant offers premiere waterfront dining for lunch and dinner as well as drinks and bar food late into the evening. If you prefer something quicker, there will be a large festival tent in the parking lot for takeout food, beer, and picnic-style seating. Also, Chestertown’s own River Packet will be serving pub fare and host a fish fry! If you’re up for a walk, there are plenty of eateries throughout Downtown Chestertown.
What about parking?
Thankfully, parking in Chestertown is not a big deal – even on Downrigging Weekend. Parking is available on the street and in several marked public parking lots. You are also welcome to come by boat, reserve docking space, and be a part of the festival.
Sailwinds Park East Kite Festival
Photo By Jill Jasuta
For over 10 years, the Kite Festival at Sailwinds Park has been the signature family event of the fall on the Shore.
The Basics
Date: Sunday, October 29th
Time: 12–4 p.m.
Location: Visitor’s Center at Sailwinds Park East, located at 200 Byrne Street in Cam idge.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Sailwinds/
The Details
What can guests expect?
Enjoy the amazing sights of larger than life kites, including a full scale blue whale, and other aquatic inspired kites soaring over the Choptank River. Food, music, kite demonstrations, rock walls and “extreme” rides, and slides make this a family destination.
Food and drinks?
Delicious food and drinks will be available.
Are tickets still available?
Admission is free!
Where do the proceeds go?
All proceeds from the festival go directly towards paying the costs of the festival and keeping it free to the public.
