The Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival returns to CBMM on April 22-23.

The Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival returns to CBMM on April 22-23.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Feb. 27, 2023 – The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum is set to welcome the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival back to its waterfront campus on April 22-23.

The popular festival kicks off CBMM’s slate of annual events, running 10am–5pm Saturday and 10am–4pm Sunday, with all tickets valid for admission on both days. Tickets are on sale now at cbmm.org/seaglassfestival.

“I’m really excited about this year’s festival!” Eastern Shore Sea Glass and Coastal Arts Festival Founder and Organizer Kim Hannon said. “We have amazing new artisans from all over the country, plus so many of our returning artisans who always bring beautiful art, jewelry and so much more. We hope our guests have a great time hunting for unique treasures during the two-day event while making some great memories and new friends along the way!”

This edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival will highlight more than 90 artisans and craftspeople from around the country exhibiting and selling coastal and sea-glass related jewelry, home décor, art, and more. A full listing of vendors and more information can be found at seaglassfestival.com.

Each two-day festival ticket includes entrance to the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival, live music, and all the exhibitions and historic structures on the CBMM campus. Food and beverages will also be available for purchase, including beer, wine, and cocktails. 

This edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival will highlight more than 90 artisans and craftspeople from around the country.

This edition of the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival will highlight more than 90 artisans and craftspeople from around the country.

CBMM’s Tolchester Beach Bandstand will host a full schedule of live music from local acts over the two days. Chris Sacks Band (10am–1pm) and Jayme Dingler (1:30-5pm) are set to take the stage on Saturday, while Anna Burgess (10am–1pm) and Dave Hawkins (1:30–4pm) form Sunday’s lineup.

Executive Director of The Beachcombing Center and sea glass expert, Mary McCarthy, will be available for shard ID throughout the weekend, and Patriot Cruises will offer cruise discounts both days at 12:30pm and 2:30pm. Guests can use code seaglass during checkout on patriotcruises.com to receive 1/2 off their tickets.

The two-day festival ticket is $7 for CBMM member adults and active members of the military (with ID); $19 for non-member adults; $16 for seniors (age 65 and up), college students and retired military (both with ID); $7 for non-member children ages 6–17; and free for member children 6–17, and all children 5-and-under. CBMM members at the Family & Friends level and above can also receive the $7 discounted admission for two adult guests.

In addition to advanced sales online, tickets will be available at CBMM the day of the event. No single-day tickets will be sold to this rain or shine event.

Additional free event parking will be available at St. Michaels Middle/High School, with a complimentary shuttle service to and from CBMM running throughout the festival.

For safety reasons, non-service dogs need to be kept home during CBMM festivals, including the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival. Carry-on alcohol from dock or land is prohibited.

Bistro St. Michaels emerged as the winner of this year’s oyster stew competition after polling of 500 OysterFest guests.

Bistro St. Michaels emerged as the winner of this year’s oyster stew competition after polling of 500 OysterFest guests.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., Nov. 4, 2022 – The culinary team from Bistro St. Michaels, led by Chef Doug Stewart, landed atop the podium at this year’s Oyster Stew Competition as part of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s annual OysterFest last Saturday.

After a tally of votes following a blind polling of 500 festival guests who sampled five different stews, Bistro St. Michaels’ “Stew A” emerged victorious. Theo’s Steakhouse of St. Michaels, led by Chef Aura Delgado, was runner-up with “Stew D,” and Ruse at the Wildset and Chef Michael Correll took third place in the voting with “Stew B.” 

In total, more than 3,000 guests were on hand to celebrate the Bay’s favorite bivalve at the event, which returned to CBMM’s waterfront campus for the first time since 2019. More information about OysterFest can be found at cbmm.org.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will once again host its Charity Boat Auction on Aug. 27.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will once again host its Charity Boat Auction on Aug. 27.

ST. MICHAELS, Md., July 23, 2022 – On Saturday, Aug. 27, the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum will once again host its Charity Boat Auction, where donated boats and watercraft—ranging in size and performance from cruising boats to dinghies—are auctioned off annually to the highest bidders.

“This is an absolute auction, meaning all boats will be sold the day of the event, with no minimums or reserves, and CBMM staff and volunteers will be on hand at an onsite title office for ease of transfer and title work,” said CBMM’s Charity Boat Donation Program Director Wes Williams. The rain-or-shine event also includes a flea market-style tag sale starting at 9am, where guests can purchase a variety of used boating gear, including ground tackle, electrical equipment, hardware, rope, chain, oars, life jackets, fishing tackle, motors, and more. “These donated boats are sold year-round, and will be sold up until a few days prior to the auction.”

In addition to being listed online, auction boats will be available for preview at CBMM on Friday, Aug. 26, from 10am–6pm. Regular admission rates will apply until 3pm, and gates will open for free from 3¬–6pm. Guests can also preview the boats on auction grounds beginning at 8am the day of the event, with bidding beginning at 11am. Food and beverages will be available for purchase starting at 10:30am.

“We work with donors all year-round, many caring for a boat they are no longer using, or having inherited a boat that won’t be used,” said Williams. “And these gifts are deductible to the full extent allowed by law.”

On Aug. 27, CBMM’s gates open at 8am, with free event entrance for CBMM members and children ages 5 and under. Otherwise, general admission is $5 per person until 11am, with a $5 paddle fee for registered bidders. After 11am, regular two-day admission rates apply. For safety reasons, non-service dogs are prohibited during CBMM festivals and special events, including the Charity Boat Auction. This year’s Charity Boat Auction is generously sponsored by SpinSheet & PropTalk magazines. For the official rules, auction details, and inventory updates, visit cbmm.org/AuctionDetails, or contact boatdonation@cbmm.org or 410-745-4992.