• Our big news is the option to register online using your credit card—a process that’s been well-received and very user-friendly, with immediate confirmation. (Alternatively you can fill out the form that’s included in this special issue and mail it in with your check, although confirmation when you use the paper process takes a few weeks.)
  
  
If you haven’t registered yet please do so as soon as possible to reserve your place. To start now, just click the Online Registration link on our Annual Boat Festival's main page. By the way, you'll avoid a late fee if you register by June 4.                                      

Please note...All the cruiser slips (for boats 30’ or longer) are already filled with a wait list. So while we still have slips available for the smaller boats go to the Online Registration link on our boat festival page and register.  It’s an easy process, but since it’s also new this year you may have questions. If you do, contact either:
                                               

                                                Dominic Fiaschetti
                                               This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
                                                 410-437-8108

                                                 Dick Lowery 
                                                  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  
                                                 410-268-6904

• This year the Saturday night dinner will be an old-fashioned cookout catered by The Union Methodist Church of St Michaels.  It will include their famous marinated grilled chicken, hot dogs and hamburgers with baked beans and potato salad. We’ll finish out the weekend with our Awards Picnic on Sunday, featuring a traditional barbeque.
  
   
• Our “Friday River Cruise” is a great opportunity to explore the Miles River in your boat and invite other festival attendees to join you. This year all participating Captains taking the cruise will meet at the Oystering Bldg at 1:30 and then boats will depart at 2 pm. This is slightly later than in previous years to accommodate our Friday seminar schedule. Whether you’re interested in just joining the cruise this year or hosting additional passengers for a ride on your boat, please contact me.
  
   
• On Friday and Saturday we have scheduled a great selection of seminars. All will be held at the Steamboat Building:

-  Jim Wade (Wade Technologies): “The Art of Chrome Plating” (Friday only)

 

-  Jeff Beard: “Built in Maryland: Chris-Craft, Cruis-Along, Owens and Whirlwind."
An introduction to four great Maryland boat builders of the 20th century: Chris-Craft Sea Skiffs from Salisbury; Cruis-Along (and Century Cruisers) from Solomons; Owens Yacht of Dundalk; and Whirlwind of Cockeysville. Lots of illustrations from original boating literature will be included in this narrated PowerPoint presentation. (Saturday only)

- Norman Hazard: "Emmaline — Building a Shady Side Bateau from Memory". Hear how this waterman from Shady Side, MD built his 36 ’ Bateau,  “Emmaline", from scratch and without any plans. (Friday & Saturday)

 

                Norman Hazard and his 36' oystering boat, Emmaline

 

- Sudler Lofand: “Augusta — Wood Shavings to Hot Sparks". Hear about the recovery & restoration of this historic 50' yacht, scheduled for re-launch on June 12. (Friday & Saturday)

 
- Richard Anderson: “Restoring the SS Columbia”- Learn about the non-profit SS Columbia Project, dedicated to restoring and operating America’s oldest surviving passenger steamer. (Saturday only)

 

• Although judging isn’t new to our festival, we do have a new Chief Judge this year, Scott Wahlberg. Our judging process—using ACBS standards—is a major focus of our festival’s Saturday activities. We want to expand our team of judges this year, so if you’re interested in becoming a judge, contact Scott at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  (Judging on Saturday, Awards on Sunday)
  
  
• “The Arts at Navy Point” is a show-within-our-show, showcasing the talents of maritime artists, craftsmen and vendors who are a strong and unique component of our annual festival. Our thanks again to committee co-chairs John Into & Nancy Price who work hard at acquiring the highest quality talent. (Friday - Sunday)
  

Thanks again for your interest and support. We look forward to another fabulous Festival in St. Michaels on June 18-20.