The Port of Oxford has released the schedule for its first annual Nautical Festival and Flea Market, to be held on the grounds of the Town Soccer Field on Saturday, September 3, 2011.
Taking full advantage of the scenic setting, warm weather, and seven marinas that draw thousands of boat-loving visitors and residents to Oxford each year, the Oxford Business Association (event chair Guy Gauvin of Hinckley Yachts) has planned a full day of activities.
The flea market, with tents sponsored by Fred Frederick Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram, will host businesses, non-profit organizations, and private residents selling nautically-themed items, including arts and crafts, boats, new and used marine parts, fishing gear, dock accessories, clothing, and marine services. The list of vendors is long and still growing. Also in the line-up are live music, book signings, storytelling, and a talk on the history of the Town of Oxford, among other activities and entertainments. In the evening, the Masthead at Pier Street Marina will sponsor a crab feast at Causeway Park with a performance by Three Penny Opera for the benefit of the Watermen’s Association.
As of today’s date, the schedule of events includes the following:
10:00am-4:00pm: Flea market at Oxford Town Soccer Field
10:00am-12:00pm: Book signing by Rebecca Jones, author of Captain John Smith’s Big & Beautiful Bay
11:00am-12:00pm: Talk by Leo Nollmeyer, Curator of the Oxford Museum, on the history of Oxford
11:30am-1:00pm: Music by local artist Peter Colkett
12:00pm-2:00pm: Book signing by John Into and Nancy Price, authors of Fundamentals of Model Boat Building
12:30pm-1:30pm: Storytelling for children by local resident Danny Cole
2:00pm-4:00pm: Book signing by Elaine Allen, author of Olly the Oyster
3:00pm-4:00pm: Musical performance by Michael Butler
6:00pm-9:00pm: Crab feast at Causeway Park hosted by The Masthead.
In July, the Town of Oxford was named “Top Waterfront Town in the World” by readers of YACHTING in the magazine’s first annual contest.
About Oxford, Maryland:
The historic town of Oxford, Maryland, founded in 1683, is located in Talbot County on the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Until the American Revolution, Oxford was an international shipping center, surrounded by tobacco plantations and home to a number of prominent national figures. Later it thrived on oyster harvesting and packing and other watermen’s trades, even as tourism and leisure activities increased. It guards its peaceful personality, architectural integrity, and small-town virtues to this day, while warmly welcoming visitors from right next door and around the world. The Oxford Business Association welcomes inquiries by telephone (1-410-745-9023) and at its website (www.portofoxford.com); and the Talbot County Office of Tourism offers comprehensive information and trip planning services at its Easton office (1-410-770-8000) and on its website (www.tourtalbot.org).