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On Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD hosts one of the nation’s largest gatherings of small boat enthusiasts and unique watercraft at the 30th Annual Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival.

Museum visitors can marvel at the craftsmanship and innovation used in traditional and contemporary small watercraft while enjoying the CBMM’s waterfront campus and hands-on exhibits, including a new tugboat exhibit and the historic restoration of the skipjack Rosie Parks.

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. Boat owners hailing from all over the country will also be available to share their knowledge and boating experiences with visitors.

Live music, scenic river cruises, food, and beverages will be available to round out the weekend festival.

On Saturday, museum boat yard staff and Chesapeake Wooden Boat Builders School instructors will be on hand to offer boat-building workshops and maritime demonstrations. Beginning at 1pm, a lively race of small craft out on the Miles River can be watched from the museum’s waterfront and docks. Festival-goers can also vote for their favorite boat, with the People’s Choice award and others announced Saturday evening among participants.

On Sunday, festival-goers are also invited to bring nautical items to swap or sell at a traditional swap meet.

The Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival is free for museum members and children under six– otherwise admission is $13 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $6 for children ages 6 to 17, with all museum exhibits open throughout the two-day festival. For more information, visit www.cbmm.org/mascf or call 410-745-2916

In photo: The craftsmanship and innovation used in traditional and contemporary small watercraft will be on display on land and in the water during the 30th Annual Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival on October 6 & 7 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. Sailing skiffs, rowing shells, kayaks, canoes, paddle boats, prams and one-of-a-kind boats are part of this family-oriented event. More info at www.cbmm.org/mascf.