St. Mary's River Watershed Association, Inc., Post Office Box 94, St. Mary's City, MD 20686 emma@smrwa.org
Save the Date: RiverFest 2025 will be held on September 27!
11 am to 3 pm
Along Walkway
Come visit your seldom-seen neighbors including owls and other raptors with Raptor's Eye and Tom Newquist!
12-12:30 pm, 1-1:30 pm
& 2-2:30 pm
State House Lawn
Chad Day is from St. Mary's County and is a lifelong waterfowl hunter and retriever enthusiast. His demonstrations will provide an overview of the role the Chesapeake Bay Retriever has played throughout the Chesapeake Bay's maritime history and showcase his dogs' abilities as an integral part of the conservation of our natural resources today.
1 pm - 1:45 pm
State House
Join Caroline DiGiovanni Watershed Restoration Educator from the University of Maryland Extension to learn all about rain barrels. The presentation will be approximately 30 minutes, followed by a question and answer session.
The presentation will cover the environmental benefits of using rain barrels to retain stormwater collected from roof tops. Rooftop runoff collection, use and safety considerations will be discussed. Finally proper installation and maintenance of rain barrels will be covered.
Participants will have the opportunity to purchase rain barrels for pick up at a later date.
All Day!
Dove Dock
The Pride of Baltimore II will be in St. Mary's City for RiverFest! Visit the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area staff (One of RiverFest's Gold Sponsors) on this historic Baltimore Clipper replica that played a pivotal role in the War of 1812!
11-11:45 am
The Chesapeake Public Charter School's 4th-grade choir will kick off RiverFest with music and narrative pieces.
12:15 - 1:15 pm
Billy Breslin has been performing the guitar for almost forty years. He plays a mix of original compositions and your favorites from the Eagles, Tom Petty, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, and more.
1:30 - 2 pm & 2:15 - 2:45 pm
David Norris is a southern Maryland native who performs bluegrass and folk. He will play live music with a break in between for the river wade-in!
3-4 pm
Locally acclaimed musicians for a return engagement performing an eclectic mix of 60s,70s and 80s folk and country rock classics at RiverFest 2024.
All Day
Waterfront
Step aboard the Maryland Dove, a re-creation of the 17th-century trading ship from the first expedition from England to Maryland. The newly rebuilt will be at the waterfront all day and available for tours.
12 pm to 3 pm
Waterfront
Want to learn what it's like to work on the water? Lance Lumpkins will be at the Dove Dock from 12 pm to 3 pm with his oyster tongs and culling board.
All Day!
Pavillion
Want to learn more about the critters that live in the St. Mary's River? Come visit them under the pavillion! The fan favorite, Izzy the Terrapin from St. Mary's College of Maryland's Biology Department, will be there all day along with critters from the Forrest Tech Center's Natural Resources Management program.
All Day - 2 pm
Waterfront
Bring a change of clothes for the 2 pm ceremonial Wade-In honoring Bernie Fowler.
The River Wade-In demonstrates how water quality is linked to the clarity of the water. We will wade-in until we can't see our feet any more.
All Day
Pavillion
Bryan Clapp will be under the pavillion bringing your imagination to life with his colorful and creative balloon animals! Be sure to stop by!
All Day
Pavillion
Free face paiting all day under the pavilion! Transform into your favorite aquatic critter or character!
All Day
Waterfront
Get out and enjoy the water! Greenwell Foundation has generously allowed us to borrow their kayaks for this event. Head down to the waterfront, grab a life jacket, and get paddling!
All Day
State House Lawn
A water yard game to see who is the busiest pollinator! You have 60 seconds to collect nectar from native plants your pollinator is attracted to. Whoever collects the most nectar wins, but wait round two is not easy because an invasive species - english ivy - has taken over the garden and depleted your resources. Who is going to be the busiest pollinator in the pollinator race? A game invented and hosted by ECOBAY Landscape & Design.
All Day
Pavillion
We will have paints, aquatic critter stamps, and paper for kids of all ages to reflect on the beauty and serenity of our river.
All Day
Dove Dock
Come visit the electric boat future at the Dove Dock!
Jim & Belinda Black, outfitted their 1960 vintage classic runabout, Little Debbie, with an electric engine with no fumes or noise. This modern EV is highly capable, fast, and even ski-ready!
Visit Little Debbie's owners and engineers, take a tour of the boat from the dock, and learn how you can outfit your boat to electric!
All Day
Along path by the Old Enso's Building
Grab some lunch by the old Enso's building from Linda's on the Go! Grab a sandwich from this locally owned and operated shop!
Looking for a drink? Visit the pavilion!
12:30 & 2:30 pm
Waterfront
Want to learn what lives in the St. Mary's River?
Join Dorothy Birch and her students to seine with a large net at the waterfront. Ms. Birch will identify the fish catches and will have some fun facts to share about them too!
All Day
Dove Dock
Come visit the electric boat future at the Dove Dock!
Jim & Belinda Black, outfitted their 1960 vintage classic runabout, Little Debbie, with an electric engine with no fumes or noise. This modern EV is highly capable, fast, and even ski-ready!
Visit Little Debbie's owners and engineers, take a tour of the boat from the dock, and learn how you can outfit your boat to electric!
All Day
Along path by the Old Enso's Building
Grab some lunch by the old Enso's building from Linda's on the Go! Grab a sandwich from this locally owned and operated shop!
Looking for a drink? Visit the pavilion!
12:30 & 2:30 pm
Waterfront
Want to learn what lives in the St. Mary's River?
Join Dorothy Birch and her students to seine with a large net at the waterfront. Ms. Birch will identify the fish catches and will have some fun facts to share about them too!
2 Dogs Tie Dye
Association of Southern Maryland Beekeepers
The Bauble Shop - Christmas baubles and earrings from reclaimed yarn
Beeswax and Sustainable Living Products
Cecil Creek Glass
Cedar Point Federal Credit Union
Democratic Women of St. Mary's County
Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center
Natural Resources Management Program
League of Women Voters of St. Mary's County
Little Debbie - Electric Runabout
Norwex
Planted and Blooming Scentsy Independent Consultant, Anna Dudley
Purple Martin Club of Calvert Marine Museum
Southern Maryland National Heritage Area
Southern Maryland Resource, Conservation, and Development
St. Mary's College of Maryland Biology Department
St. Mary's College of Maryland Office of Community, Outreach, and Engagement
St. Mary's County Animal Welfare League
St. Mary's County Commission on the Environment
St. Mary's County Community Development Corporation
St. Mary's County Department of Land Use and Growth Management
St. Mary's County Health Department
University of Maryland Extension - Master Gardeners
University of Maryland Extension - Watershed Stewards Academy
Thank you to our incredible sponsors who supported RiverFest 2024 and our work to protect improve and promote the sustainability of the St. Mary's River all year long!
ABOUT OUR WORK GET INVOLVED EVENTS DONATE
St. Mary's River Watershed Association, Inc., Post Office Box 94, St. Mary's City, MD 20686 emma@smrwa.org