The Monster That Ate Kent Island! Suburbia, Symbols, and Chessie the Sea Serpent

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Chessie

Chessie

The incredible true story of the mysterious sea creature who captured hearts and imaginations during the turbulent 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

In the summer of 1978, residents along the Virginia side of the Potomac River were startled by sightings of a strange creature lurking in the water. Eventually dubbed Chessie, this elusive sea serpent tantalized reporters and the public alike, always slipping away just out of reach. In this, the first comprehensive history of the Chessie phenomenon, Eric A. Cheezum takes us on a thrilling journey through the life and times of the famous monster, diving beneath the surface to reveal the remarkable events that unfolded over the years as Chessie sightings continued.

After initially vanishing, the creature resurfaced in 1980, then again in 1982, when it was finally captured on video off the coast of Kent Island. These sightings thrust Chessie into the national and international spotlight, transforming it into a regional celebrity. Cheezum uncovers the fascinating connection between Chessie's appearances and the dramatic changes occurring in Chesapeake Bay communities. As the bay transitioned from a hub of labor-intensive activities to a recreational destination, Chessie became a symbol with multilayered meaning. Environmentalists seized the opportunity to educate the public on the bay's importance as an ecosystem, while tourists and suburbanites found solace in connecting culturally with the bay. Meanwhile, watermen faced the unsettling prospect of a declining way of life.

With expert analysis grounded in historical context, Cheezum sheds light on Chessie's enduring impact and legacy. Chessie is an enthralling exploration of the profound power of a symbol that underscores both the affection the public continues to have for the monster and the cultural transformations in the region at the end of the twentieth century.

Join us as local author Eric Cheezum dives deeper into Chessie and the changing landscape of Kent Island and beyond in the bay. On national Sea Serpent day no less!

Reserved Seats are $5 per person.

Get here early, Cult Classic has 15+ beers on tap brewed in house, a full kitchen with from-scratch pizza, hand-pattied burgers and fresh-never-frozen jumbo wings, and a FULL BAR to get you through this most epic of evenings.

Doors open at 6:00pm, presentation starts at 6:30pm.

• If you have accessibility or special accommodation issues, please alert our staff at the door • 5 minutes before showtime, any unchecked tickets may be made available to our standby list

• Cult Classic shows are all ages unless otherwise noted.

• Pups are allowed on our patio, but not within the building.

All sales are final. We don’t offer refunds or exchanges unless a show is cancelled. Please keep in mind that support acts and set times are subject to change at any time.