With the gray skies and scattered rain showers, our RiverFest planning team was concerned that few would attend our 18th annual celebration of the St. Mary’s River. Much to our surprise, over 350 of you showed up to enjoy live music, paddle on the St. Mary’s River, and come face-to-face with iconic watershed critters.

This year, we were thrilled to have Team River Runner Southern Maryland leading the kayaking activities along and the Southern Maryland Rowing Association who brought a skiff for folks to try. Thanks to them, 51 people paddled the St. Mary’s River!

At the waterfront, Sheldon Russell, a local waterman, taught guests how he tongs for oysters, students from the Forrest Technology Center’s Natural Resources Program seined for fish, and 212 attendees stepped aboard the Maryland Dove.

Under the pavilion, there were live animals including snakes and geckos from the Tech Center, turtles and a display about monarchs from the Naval Air Station Patuxent River Natural Resources Division, Izzy, the terrapin from St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Biology Department, and birds of prey from Raptor’s Eye. Kids sported balloon animals by Bryan Clapp and face paint by SMRWA volunteers while holding snakes and learning about the Bay.

Guests ate tasty empanadas from El Coqui’s food truck while they learned about the Chesapeake Bay Retriever dog’s role in local maritime history from Chad Day while his pup demonstrated its skills.

We had live music by the Chesapeake Public Charter School and the Eastport Oyster Boys, make-and-take crafts including clay pot painting, and free soft drinks and teas.

We are so grateful to all our volunteers, board members, and sponsors who made this event possible!

RiverFest was partially funded through a generous grant from the St. Mary’s County and Maryland State Arts Councils.