Annapolis and the rest of Maryland celebrates “Maryland Day” March 21st through the 23rd, but the event Maryland Day commemorates actually occurred on March 25th, 1633 (or perhaps 1634). At any rate, Annapolis hosts very affordable, very family-friendly entertainment in support of this state-wide celebration. Below, we offer a brief account of what Maryland Day commemorates, how Annapolis gets involved, and how you can participate in the entertainment for a buck or less.
Maryland Day’s Past
According to MarylandDay.org, way back in the early 17th century, colonists set up shop and gave thanks for their new free environment on St. Clement’s Island. These new Marylanders came to establish St. Mary’s colony, but even more importantly, their brave efforts became something Marylanders celebrated in the first Maryland Day in 1903. In 1916, Maryland Day became an official state holiday. Today’s Marylanders celebrate by looking nostalgically to the past with tours, educational experiences, and via the arts.
Maryland Day’s Present
Four Rivers Heritage sponsors this year’s Maryland Day, which is not only entertaining but is cheap at $1 or less for most events. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday feature events, tours, and sights to see that are ideal for the entire family. Some events are offered two or all the days of the celebration.
Friday kicks off the celebration with nine great events, hosted all across the city. One of the best events for kids include the Annapolis Maritime Museum’s Chesapeake Bay aquatic exhibit–an 850 gallon tank filled with live Bay creatures–and interactive entertainment–hands-on fun with culling oysters, dressing like a waterman, etc. This event is free and runs from noon to 4 p.m. Another invaluable historical site in Annapolis, the Hammond-Harwood House, welcomes guests from 3 to 6 p.m. for a tour of the house, an education about Harwood family heirlooms, and a description of the house’s past inhabitants. Tours cost $1 and last about 30 minutes.
Saturday’s first event is quick, free, and symbolic. Join Annapolis Drum and Bugle Corps, USNA League of Cadets of Training Ship Mercedes, and the rest of Maryland Day participants at City Dock for a annual flag-raising ceremony. This event kicks off at 10 a.m. Museum tours from Banneker-Douglass Museum, Charles Carroll House, and the Chase Lloyd House are available after the ceremony, starting at 10 a.m. for the former, noon for the middle, and 2 p.m. for the latter. All three tours are free and highlight seminal people and moments in Annapolis history. Kids will especially enjoy Chesapeake Children’s Museum’s Native American interactive exhibit on Saturday from 10:30 a.m. For $1, kids can learn about the Native American way of life before the Brits came. St. John’s College, Mitchell Gallery, Maryland State Archives, Hogshead, Historic London Town & Gardens, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, William Paca House, West Annapolis Heritage Partnership/MainStreets Annapolis Partnership, and Historic Annapolis Museum & Store all host events on Saturday as well.
Sunday brings archaeology, more museum tours, and arts and crafts. The Anne Arundel County Trust for Preservation teams up with The Lost Towns Project to bring you archaeological info and finds from the late 19th century. This event is free and beings at 11 a.m. Captain Avery Museum, Deale Area Historical Society at Historic Village and Museum, and Galesville Heritage Museum offer free tours and a sneak peak into Maryland’s rich history via mixed media. These tours are scheduled around noon. Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts hosts “ArtFest,” an event that provides arts and crafts, art demos, and more from 1 to 4 p.m. This kid-friendly event is free too.
USNA’s Armel-Leftwich Visitor Center offers $1 tours of the grounds, famous statues there, and even the crypt of Revolutionary War hero John Paul Jones. Friday tours run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday tours last from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Sunday’s tours are available from noon to 3 p.m.
Maryland Day Transportation and Parking
Towne Transport has very generously provided free transportation all weekend. Saturday, the company’s twenty-tree passenger trolley picks up guests from two locations: from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Visitor Center and from 10:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at Regina’s in West Annapolis. Sunday, two buses pick up guests from downtown and transport them to south county event sites beginning at 11 a.m. There is no transportation provided on Friday. Parking suggestions are as usual: try the garages and carpool if possible.
For the entire program of events and transportation schedule, visit Maryland Day Program of Events.
Go Maryland!
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