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Annapolis Events
JUNE
 | | Beth Rubin | | Thousands of Maryland blue crabs disappear at the Rotary Crab Feast on September 17. |
4-6 Greek Festival
Foodies of the world, unite. You have nothing to lose but your waistlines. Kudos to Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church for staging this festive, and tasty, annual event. The music, dancing, crafts and gifts are fine, but the Greek delicacies take center stage IMHO. I'm talking souvlaki, gyros, spanakopita (spinach and cheese pie), mouthwatering pastries. The festival takes place at the church, 2747 Riva Rd. from 10 or 11am to dark. Call 301-261-8218.
13 Great Chesapeake Bay Swim
Serious swimmers stroke across the Bay from Sandy Point State Park to the beach in front of Hemingway's, at the Bay Bridge Marina on Kent Island. Those not up to paddling 4.4 miles can try the 1-mile triangular course in front of Hemingway's (now, that's more like it!). Can't swim? Slip into Hemingway's for some of the best fried oysters in the area and a brewski. www.bayswim.com.
JULY
4 4th of July Celebration
Annapolis is the place to enjoy an old-fashioned 4th which begins early evening with a parade. Step-off time is 6:30pm at St. John's Street. The procession moves up College Avenue, around Church Circle, down Main Street and across City Dock to King George Street. A concert at 8:30 is followed by a fireworks display beginning at about 9:15pm. Try to snag a waterfront seat or view the show from the water. www.visit-annapolis.org. Call 410-280-0445.
6 Summer Concert Series
Tonight and most Tuesdays through mid-August at 7:30pm, free concerts are presented by USNA bands and guest artists at City Dock. Grab a bite beforehand or pack a sandwich and cold drink (no alcoholic beverages allowed). And don't leave home without lawn chairs unless you're well padded. The few wood benches are spoken for early on, and the cement seawall gets old--and hard--fast. www.usna.edu/USNABand. Call 410-263-6933.
AUGUST
12 Annual Annapolis Art Walk
Visit more than 20 galleries featuring paintings, sculpture, pottery, wood, glass, and wearable art at this free event. Pick up a map at any site and shop till you drop from 5-9pm. (And you thought Annapolis was known only for boating and crabs!) www.artinannapolis.com. Call 410-267-7077.
14-15
 | | Beth Rubin | | Alex Haley sculpture welcomes visitors to Kunta Kinte Memorial |
Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival
The festival, usually on the campus of St. John's College and at City Dock, will be held this year at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville, about a 20-minute drive from downtown Annapolis. It celebrates African traditions in bold fashion with music (gospel, blues, steel bands), dancing, crafts, storytelling and African-inspired food. Kunta Kinte, ancestor of Alex Haley and the subject of Haley's bestselling novel, Roots, provides the inspiration for the event, first staged in 1989. Kids can have their faces painted with tribal markings, make masks, and listen to a griot tell stories about slave life. Before or after the festival, do stop at City Dock to view the Kunta Kinte memorial, with quotes from Roots set into the seawall, and the sculpture of Alex Haley reading to children. Hours are 10am-8pm Saturday, 10am-6pm Sunday. www.kuntakinte.org. Call 410-349-0338.
28-29 Renaissance Festival
Beginning this weekend and every weekend through October 24, 10:30am-7pm, you can enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of a re-created 16th century English village in Crownsville (about 20 minutes from City Dock). Jousting, wandering minstrels, crafts, music hall shows and circus-type entertainment have enthralled festival visitors for 28 years. Grab a smoked turkey leg and munch a la Henry VIII or dig into 21st century American and ethnic fare. Come dressed appropriately or rent a period costume at the gate. Pony rides and other special activities are available for children. www.rennfest.com. Call 800-296-7304.
SEPTEMBER
4 Navy football
Navy kicks off its 2004 season against Duke at 6pm (the first of six home games)in the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium. Even when they lose, the games and half-time shows are colorful and inspiring. For many, the best parts are the march-on by the Brigade of Midshipmen before the game and the precision drills and entertainment at halftime. www.navysports.com. Call 800-874-6289.
10-12 Maryland Seafood Festival
The first weekend after Labor Day, from 11am to 8pm, at Sandy Point State Park (last Route 50 exit before the Bay Bridge) is a splendid opportunity to sample local fare and enjoy family entertainment other than eating. Take part in the famous crab soup cook-off, play beach bingo and volleyball and enjoy live music. There's a petting zoo for kids. The festival is manned by volunteers and the proceeds go to chairty. www.annapolischamber.com. Call 410-974-2149.
15-19 Anne Arundel County Fair
Hi-ho, come to the county fairgrounds, Generals Highway, Crownsville. Talk to the animals, see sheep-shearing and other 4-H-related demonstrations. You won't go hungry with all the homemade goodies for sale. Hours vary. www.aacountyfair.org. Call 410/923-3400.
17 Rotary Club Crab Feast
Note: This event is usually held in August, but was moved to September due to stadium construction. From 5 to 8pm, crab lovers will sharpen their pickin' skills at the 59th annual crab feast at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Rowe Boulevard. The menu at the all-you-can-eat-and-drink pig out (er, crab out) includes crabs, vegetable crab soup, corn on the cob, beef barbecue, hot dogs, coleslaw, beer and soda. www.annapolisrotary.com. Call 410-841-2841.
OCTOBER
 | | Beth Rubin | | Shopper arrives early for Sailboat Show. |
7-11 U.S. Sailboat Show
The largest U.S. in-water sailboat show is a big draw in Naptown. How big? Many locals leave town till it's over because it takes over downtown. If you're in the market for a bigger boat or just fantasizing, it's a happening scene. Serious shoppers usually opt to attend Thursday, known as VIP day, when the higher admission keeps the crowds to a more manageable level. Hours are 10am-6pm Thursday; 10am-7pm Friday and Saturday; 10am-6pm Sunday. www.usboat.com. Call 410-268-8828.
14-17 U.S. Powerboat Show
Soon as the sailboats leave, the powerboats dock. No canvas spoken here. The hours are the same as the sailboat show (see above). www.usboat.com. Call 410-268-8828.
NOVEMBER
 | | Beth Rubin | | Three Centuries guides take a break at City Dock. |
5-6 Annapolis by Candlelight
For a glimpse of old-world Annapolis in its most flattering light, tour a select group of historic homes and public buildings by candlelight from 5-9pm. Historic Annapolis Foundation, the group responsible for the strict architectural guidelines downtown, sponsors this event. Tickets are sold at the William Paca (rhymes with "cake-a") House, 186 Prince George St. You may want to bring a flashlight in case the wicks get wet. www.annapolis.org. Call 410-267-7619.
TBA Concert of Tastes
This annual event benefits the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra. It's special because it involves two of my favorite things: music and food. Numerous area restaurateurs are on hand to dish out mini-portions of their signature dishes. A silent auction features a wide array of wonderful items--from books signed by local authors and fancy food baskets to a week's stay in luxury resort accommodations. Check back here in August for the time and location. www.annapolissymphony.org.
20 Lights on the Bay
Huge holiday light displays elicit oohs and ahhs at Sandy Point State Park (last exit off Route 50 before the Bay Bridge). The annual event, sponsored by the Anne Arundel Medical Center, is ongoing through early January. You'll need a car. No walk-ins allowed. In past years, some area merchants, such as Giant Food and the Annapolis Capital (newspaper) have dispensed discount coupons. Ask around. Call 410-267-1373.
DECEMBER
2 Midnight Madness
Even if you've completed your holiday shopping, this is fun. Downtown Annapolis looks positively Dickensian with twinkling lights and garlands (the real thing, no plastic!). Shops throw open their doors from 6pm-midnight. Most merchants serve punch and cookies or variations thereof. You don't have to buy a thing at this glorified block party, but you'll be hard pressed to resist, I guarantee. Free parking is available at the Hillman and Gotts Court garages, and at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium (where you can board a free shuttle for downtown). www.visit-annapolis.org. Call 410-266-5555.
3-4 State House by Candlelight
You have to admit that candlelight enhances Annapolis's historic State House, in continual use since the late 18th century. Show up between 7 and 9 pm to enjoy concerts by local musical groups, along with Christmas tree and quilt displays in the State House lobby. And don't be surprised if the gov shows up to press your flesh.
9 Midnight Madness
This is your second and last chance. See above.
11 Lights Parade
Area boaters go all out (many beginning in October or earlier) to festoon their sailing vessels and powerboats with holiday motifs for this fabulous parade that runs 6-8pm. The best "seats" are along Spa Creek, the Severn River (near and opposite the USNA), and Ego Alley/City Dock. Drink and/or eat at Carrolls Creek Cafe or the Chart House in Eastport and you can avoid frostbite. Don't even think of parking downtown unless you arrive by 3 or 4pm. The Hillman Garage fills early. Instead, go to the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium on Rowe Boulevard or Gott's Garage (Calvert St. off West St.) Free shuttles serve stadium parkers. www.eastportyc.org. Call 410-263-0415.
31 First Night Annapolis
This family-oriented, alcohol-free event showcases the arts from 3pm-midnight. All manners of entertainers: singers, dancers, actors, musicians (blues, gospel, hip-hop, reggae, country), mimes, professional ice skaters and more fill public and office buildings, churches and shops in and around the heart of the historic district. Fireworks cap the festivities at midnight. Happy New Year! www.firstnightannapolis.org. Call 410-268-8553.
RESOURCES
Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Conference and Visitors Association:
www.visit-annapolis.org.
City of Annapolis: www.annapolis.gov
U.S. Naval Academy
Events: www.usna.edu and www.navyonline.com
Sports: www. navysports.com
Band concerts: www.usna.edu/USNABand
St. John's College: www.sjca.edu
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Local writer and author Beth Rubin has been frequenting Annapolis' special events for 15 years. Visit her Web site: www.bethrubinauthor.com.
Comments from users:
| mackalex | baltimore city | | mackalex AT zwallet DOT com | |
the state of marland one of the best crab town and the old bay seasoning this what like to add to this once you get to marland you go downtown to the inner harbor and seek getting the crab cake the crabs and the sea food of choice, we welcome all and all around the world like uor famous crab the marland crab. |
| | | David Willingham | Williamsport,Md. | | pud AT nfis DOT com | |
Attended the Md seafood festival at Sandy Point and Dissappointment is the best I could describe!If you want good seafood stay away from the water front and come to Hagerstown during the season of choice GOOD SEAFOOD at resonable prices.I have never eaten good seafood around the bay area! |
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