On Saturday, November 2, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers will be coming to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s (CBMM) OysterFest in St. Michaels, MD to offer retriever demonstrations and an opportunity to meet some of the Chesapeake Bay’s most iconic breed.
Hosted by Chesapeake Bay Retriever Relief and Rescue (CBRRR), the “marker” demonstrations take place on CBMM’s Navy Point lawn beginning on the hour from 11am to 2pm, and are free for CBMM members or with festival admission. CBRRR assists in the rescue of purebred Chesapeake Bay Retrievers through a network of members, breed clubs, breeders, and fanciers.
Developed in the region during the 19th century, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers were historically used by market hunters for retrieving waterfowl, and today serve as family pets or hunting companions. During OysterFest, service dogs will be taken through the event for an opportunity to ‘meet and greet’ festival-goers throughout the day. CBRRR will also have an information table at the event.
OysterFest includes live music, oysters and other local fare, children’s activities, boat rides, oyster demonstrations, harvesting displays, cooking demonstrations, documentary films, and an oyster stew competition among regional chefs. The relaunch of the skipjack Rosie Parks, a sailing workboat that once dredged the Chesapeake Bay for oysters, is scheduled for 4pm, when high tide arrives at the museum’s marine railway.
OysterFest is generously sponsored by Maryland Public Television (MPT), with What’s Up? Media Company as the event’s official media sponsor.
The festival runs from 10am to 5pm with admission free for CBMM members and children five years and under, or $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $6 for children between the ages of six and 17. Food and boat rides are an additional cost. Visit www.cbmm.org/oysterfest for more information. For information about CBRRR, visit www.cbrrescue.org.