Just for Kids
The Chesapeake Children’s Museum has developed many family activities for youngsters based on themes within Charter 300. Scout programs, school curriculum and independent programs galore will highlight the “takeaways” that will provide a lasting legacy of this commemorative year. Contact the Museum at 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org.
We need volunteers and energy to bring it all to life. Check the Participate page for more information on which events need leadership.
Winners Announced | See a Video of the Winners
On April 12, the Junior Towne Crier Competition, sponsored by Watermark, was held as part of the Annapolis Alive! celebration. The competition was a precursor to the North American Town Crier
competition to be held on May 3rd during the Maryland Maritime Heritage
Festival in Annapolis. “The purpose of this event was to
show the youth of today where the concept of modern mass media came from and to give them a ‘hands on’ experience of what it was like to deliver the news of the day in Colonial Times,” said Tom Plott, Entertainment Director for Watermark. In this modern age of TV, the internet and wireless communication, Watermark felt it was time to
expose students to the original Mass Media: Towne Crying!
The competition was open to all schools in the state of Maryland, and winners were selected
from the Elementary, Middle and High School levels.
Students prepared a 40-100 word ’cry’ based on an event in Maryland history. Topics ranged from the founding of the Maryland colony all the way up to the Colts leaving Baltimore. Winners were selected by a panel of judges and will accompany Squire Frederick as hosts for the North American Towne Crier Championship on May 3rd.
Saturday, April 26 - Annapolis Book Festival
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Key School, 534 Hillsmere Drive
Now in its sixth year, the Annapolis Book Festival – a free community event – is an interactive, intergenerational celebration of the written word, fostering literacy and a love of reading in Anne Arundel County. Nationally known authors will be on hand to speak about and sign their books. Hosted by The Key School Parents’ Association and held on The Key School campus, the event is free and open to the public, directly underwritten by Sponsors from our community.
Click here for information or call 410 263-9231, ext. 1304
Sunday, April 27 - Maryland Avenue Spring Festival: Gatsby on the Avenue
Maryland Avenue
11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Bring the family to Maryland Avenue to celebrate Annapolis 1920s style. Jazz Age music and dancing on the street. Galway Bay, 63 Maryland Avenue, will be your "speakeasy" for the day. Free Charleston, Fox Trot, and Black Bottomdance lessons. There will be a contest and prizes for the best dressed Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby. The Annapolis Bookstore, 68 Maryland Avenue, presents artists of the Harlem Renaissance and Jazz Age. Meet Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston. Katherine Dunham will dance, Bessie Smith will sing. Dorothy Parker, Edna Ferber, and Harpo Marx will entertain with their art and wit. Expect the Fitzgeralds as well.
Sponsored by the Maryland Avenue and State Circle Merchants Association, 443 949-7876.
More about the Big Read
Sunday, April 27 - Ella's Big Chance: A Jazz Age Reading for Children
11:30 a.m.
A Jazz-Age Cinderella reading for children.
Information: 410 280-2339
More about the Big ReadSunday, April 27 - The Big Read in Spanish
Chesapeake Children's Museum, 25 Silopanna Road
2 - 5 p.m.
A reading and outreach to the Spanish speaking community in Annapolis. Discussion will be about The Great Gatsby and a library card drive will be conducted. Free event.
Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
More about the Big Read
Thursday - Sunday, May 1 - 4 - CharterFest
11 a.m. - 8 p.m. daily
Annapolis City Dock & Spa Creek; Main Street & West Street - various venues
In 1708, the St. Phillips & Jacob's Day fairs made May merry. This year, it's CharterFest, a spectacular citywide event. Come one, come all! Activities abound including:
- Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival at City Dock - with with historical educational booths, environmental displays, maritime demonstrations and a variety of boats. Enjoy entertainment on our main stage featuring ballads, storytelling and concerts.
Observe the NOOD Regatta (National Offshore One-Design) and Irish Rowing Race on Spa Creek.
- Thrill to the National Town Crier Competition held at the top of Main Street.
- On West Street enjoy First Sunday where the first block of the street is closed to car traffic and lined with booths featuring the wares of our local artists & craftsman, jewelry, clothes and specialty items, demos, face painting and music.
This all inclusive event that includes existing and new events for the 300th year. CharterFest will offer something for everyone including entertainment on stages set up for ballads, storytelling and concerts.
More information to come
Saturday, May 3 - 300th Concert
4 - 7 p.m.
We are planning a A concert for the whole community to enjoy our heritage, featuring a national musical act. The concert is to take place at large local Annapolis venue. Tickets will be sold.More information to come.
Monday, May 5 - Hispanic Girl Scout Recruitment
More details to come. Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
Monday, May 12 - Colonial Foodways in Maryland
Annapolis Area Public Library, 1410 West Street
6:30 p.m.
Acquaint yourself with 18th century habits and tastes through samples and a demonstration by culinary historians Katy Hayes and Dory Gean Cunningham.
For adults and children ages six and older.
Information: 410 222-1750Saturday, May 17 - History Hike
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
More details to come. Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.orgSunday, May 18 - Music Fest
Noon - 4 p.m.
More details to come. Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.orgTuesday & Wednesday, May 20 & 21 - Blue Angels Fight Demonstrations
approximately 2 p.m.
Severn River environs
Thrill to the Navy’s top notch flight team as they fill the skies of Annapolis with low level aerobatics in celebration of the US Naval Academy's Commissioning Week.
Visible from the shores of the Severn River and Annapolis Harbor.
Check local news media for exact time. Subject to weather conditions. Photo by Rich Malm
Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day Parade
More information to come
Saturday, June 14 - Kids ‘n’ Kaboodle
Noon - 4 p.m.
Free fair for all kids in Annapolis featuring live entertainment, crafts and games, ponies, career exhibits, face painters and more.
Information: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.orgSaturday & Sunday, June 28 & 29 - 12th Annual Build-a-Boat & Sika Challenge Cup
Annapolis Yacht Club
Boat Construction: Saturday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Junior Sailing Center
Race: Sunday, 1:22 p.m., Spa Creek, in front of AYC Clubhouse
Refreshments available. Best viewing is from the Spa Creek Bridge.
Open to the public.
The Annapolis Yacht Club will sponsor its 12th annual Sika Build-A-Boat Challenge. Teams, called Syndicates, will compete for the coveted Sika Challenge Cup and other awards.Each team, consisting of eight members, is challenged to design, build, and sail or paddle a small boat using a limited set of materials and an unlimited quantity of fast-curing Sikaflex®-291 Sealant. The teams will be allotted up to six hours to complete their boats using identical supplied materials. There are specific rules that must be followed in building and paddling or sailing the boats. The competition begins with the construction phase and ends with the race to the finish on Sunday, June 29, starting at 1:22 p.m. It's a fun event for the whole family! Photos by Don Dement
InformationFriday, July 4 - An Annapolis Alive! Independence Day
Naturalization Ceremony for 50 new citizens of the United States of America
Hosted at the home of Declaration of Independence signer William Paca. 9:30 - 10 a.m. (Tentative schedule, to be confirmed with Department of Homeland Security-CIS).
Free.
William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George Street
New U.S. citizens will take their oath of citizenship at this brief, moving ceremony at the home of a Maryland signer of the Declaration of Independence. The Naturalization Ceremony is co-sponsored with the United State Department of Homeland Security-Citizenship and Immigration Service. The ceremony brings together 50 new U.S. citizens and their family members who are immigrants from around the world.
William Paca House and Garden Independence Day Celebration
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
William Paca House and Garden, 186 Prince George Street
Free.
Historic Annapolis Foundation will open the William Paca House and Garden free of charge for a special tour highlighting Paca’s political career to honor his role as a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Reenactors will bring the wartime experiences of Continental Army soldiers and camp followers to life in the Paca Garden. Children can make patriotic crafts. Volunteers willing to work at the public event are always in demand for this event. We welcome suggestions for keynote speakers for the morning Naturalization Ceremony. maria.day@annapolis.org.
Information
Volunteers are always in demand for the public portion of this event. We welcome suggestions for keynote speakers for the morning Naturalization Ceremony. Contact Maria Day, Public Programs Manager, 410 990-4539.
July 4th Parade
Starts at 6 p.m. West and Main Streets to City Dock
More information to come.
US Naval Academy Band Concert followed by Fireworks
Susan Campbell Park
7 p.m.
US Naval Academy Band Concert At City Dock, July 4 and every Tuesday evening through August. 8 p.m. Free.More information to come
War of Independence Reenactment
Reenactors bring to life Continental Army soldiers and camp followers at the William Paca House & Garden. 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Free.
Patriotic Crafts and Games
At HistoryQuest on Main Street.
Free.
More information to come.July - dates TBD - Summer Musical
Time: TBD
Vignettes and related activities (including Harriet Tubman)More details to come. Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
Monday & Thursday , August 4 & 7 - Camp Kunta Kinte
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.More details to come. Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
Saturday & Sunday , August 9 & 10 - Kunta Kinte Festival of African Heritage
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Sunday: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.More details to come. Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
Sunday, September 7 - Labor Day Parade
Led by Ancient City Elk Lodge #175. High stepping bands and dancers celebrate on West Street. Free.
Wednesday, September 17 - Constitution Day
More details to come. Information: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
Saturday - Friday, September 26 - October 3 - City Faire: Annapolis Comes Together
A week long, citywide celebration of our diverse community will showcase the way of life past, present and the future in Annapolis. Community events, festivals and performances will be held throughout the City for visitors and residents alike to participate in and enjoy.
Free to all.More information to come.
Sunday, October 5 - 18th Annual West Annapolis Oktoberfest
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free.
Annapolis' premier street fair with live music, wonderful food and street vendors galore!More information to come.
Sunday, October 19 - Peggy Stewart Day & City Dock Parade
City Dock Parade and 2008 Annapolis Tea Party, honoring the 234th anniversary of the burning of the vessel Peggy Stewart.
More details to come.
Painting by Francis Blackwell Mayer, 1896, depicting the burning of the Peggy Stewart.
Saturday, November 1 - Colonial Dog Show
Hammond Harwood House
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Margaret Frances Townley Chase, Courtesy of Hammond Howard HouseEver wonder what dogs looked like in Colonial Times? The Colonial Dog Show exhibits breeds that were in existence in 1774, when the Hammond Harwood House was built. Many breeds were exhibited in art of the past, such as the King Charles Spaniel in the portrait of Margaret Frances Townley Chase, the grandmother of Hammond Harwood House owner Jeremiah Townley Chase.
In recent years we have had Old English Sheep Dog, Mastiff, Great Dane, Welsh Springer Spaniel, Greyhound, Otterhound, Pug, King Charles Spaniel, Bulldog and Schipperke, as well as Pomeranians and Irish Wolf Hounds.
A history of the breed will be explained by a costumed interpreter and the actual dog. A tour of the Hammond Harwood House — the "Animal House Tour" — emphasizing animals and pets will be given at scheduled intervals. It is an altogether wonderful day with the dogs!Admission will be charged.
More information to come.Saturday, November 1 - Emancipation Day Program
More details to come. Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
Tuesday, November 4 - Election Day Program & Chesapeake Children's Day
More details to come. Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
Tuesday, Nov. 11 - Veterans Day parade to honor service men and women over three
11 a.m.
Market Square
Free
More Details to come.Sunday, November 23 - Period Worship Services
Throughout the weekend, area houses of worship will conduct traditional 18th and 19th century services; check local newspapers for listings. Free.
Wednesday, December 3 - Celebration of the Proclamation of the Charter
6 p.m.
The final event of the 2008 celebration year is the commemoration of the granting of the Charter on its actual 300th anniversary, December 3.
Descendants of original Annapolis families will join members of other local families in the public reading of the Charter on the porch of the State House overlooking Francis Street. An array of local and statewide dignitaries will be in attendance as well.
This family-centered event will feature costumed hosts and hostesses along with Squire Frederick, the Annapolis Town Crier, who will welcome attendees on the State House lawn. Special musical selections will be played as part of the ceremony and hot cider and hot chocolate will be served to keep everyone warm on what promises to be an unforgettable December evening.Additional plans are still in the works, so stay tuned for exciting details.
Friday, December 5 - Three Centuries of Celebration Preview
William Paca House, 186 Prince George Street
5 p.m. - 7 p.m. HAF Members’ Preview; 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Public open House
Bring the whole family to a magical tour of the William Paca House with the premiere of the special holiday exhibit created by our volunteers. Mingle with costumed interpreters and learn how Annapolis celebrated the holidays in past centuries. Enjoy seasonal music and dessert refreshments.Volunteers willing to assist with the event are welcome. Contact maria.day@annapolis.org or Alexandra.deutsch@annapolis.org
Saturday, December 27 - Kwanzaa Celebration
More details to come. Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
Date TBD - 300 Push-Pull Storeis
Oral histories of how families got to this areaMore details to come. Info: 410 990-1993 or info@theccm.org
Ongoing Events
All Summer - Historic Vessels on City Dock
To celebrate our maritime heritage, we will have visits from historic vessels including sail training vessels, historical vessels and modern naval and maritime ships. Go aboard historic vessels from around the world throughout the summer.
More information to come.
All Year - Tapestry 300 Annapolis
Three magnificent tapestries and several smaller pieces depicting 300 years of Annapolis’ development will be displayed throughout the city. All are welcome to stitch in time under the guidance of a skilled needlepoint craftsperson. Free.
All Year - Windships and Kinships
photo by Richard Chomitz
official Charter 300 photographerA centerpiece of the 300th Celebration is “Windships and Kinships,” an international program that includes several exciting events with our friends in Annapolis’s sister city, Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. Several events are planned to share the unique and special cultural difference between Annapolis, Maryland, and Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, Canada.
We were honored to partake in their 400th celebration in 2005 as the oldest settlement in North America and, in return, they are sharing in our 300th in 2008.
In June 2007, the Province of Nova Scotia sent Canada’s sailing ambassador, Bluenose II, to visit, along with the group Musique 400. Hosted at the U.S. Naval Academy, her crew joined in with a traditional Nova Scotian kitchen party sponsored by the Castlebay Pub on Main Street. Vince has declared this his best night ever!
Photo above by Richard Chomitz, official Charter 300 photographer.
Several officials, including the Speaker of the House of Assembly, The Honourable Cecil Clark; Leader of the Opposition, The Honourable Darrel Dexter; Mayor John Kinsella of Annapolis Royal; as well as Lt. Col. Rod MacDonald from the Royal Military College; visited in 2007.
Some of the planned events over the next year, subject to funding and schedules, are as follows:
- Cadets of the Royal Military College (RMC) will perform a Sunset Ceremony / Freedom of the City Parade in September
- Exchange of Symphonies, Annapolis Symphony Orchestra to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Symphony Nova Scotia to visit Annapolis, times and dates TBD.
Through 2010 - ArtWalk: Annapolis the Beautiful
This epic outdoor art exhibition takes to the streets, celebrating our city's people, places and historic events, and featuring works by some of Annapolis’ most celebrated artists, including the late Marion Warren, Sally Comport, Sy Mohr (right), George Lassie Belt, and Greg Harlin. Free.
