Chesapeake Bay News

Chesapeake Bay deadrise workboat

A variety of icons represent the Chesapeake Bay region. Instantly recognizable, these images have strong cultural ties with the people that live and work on the water and in nearby communities.

Seafood is closely intertwined with Chesapeake Bay culture. Blue crabs, oysters, clams, rockfish and other seafood are traditional icons of the estuary and its communities.

Closely associated with Chesapeake Bay seafood are a number of boats, including Chesapeake Bay skipjacks, deadrise workboats, oyster buyboats, and flat bottomed crabbing skiffs.

Waterfowl such as Canada geese, snow geese, brant and a several species of ducks have long been recognized as icons of the Chesapeake Bay region. Blue herons, egrets and other shorebirds are also familiar symbols of the region.

In the Chesapeake Bay, ospreys and bald eagles are popular icons. These large birds of prey are famous for their ability to catch fish and other creatures. Both species have returned to the Chesapeake in large numbers after periods of near-extinction.

Several songbirds are associated with the Chesapeake Bay. Some are state birds, mascots or have cultural significance in the region. Songbird icons of the Chesapeake Bay region include the Baltimore oriole (Maryland state bird), northern cardinal (Virginia state bird), Prothonatary warbler, and red-winged blackbird.

Artists of the Chesapeake Bay often incorporate local seafood, wildlife, boats and other icons in their work. Art forms include working duck and goose decoys, model boats, sculptures, carvings, photographs, original paintings, prints, or other artwork.

For Chesapeake Bay enthusiasts, an extensive collection of Chesapeake Bay artwork is available at North America online store.

The annual Bay Bridge Boat Show in Stevensville, MD is scheduled to open its doors with special features April 28 – May 1, 2011.  In its twenty-ninth season, this show is recognized as the largest spring recreational boating extravaganza in the mid Atlantic.

The Marina facility has been completely renovated with high quality floating docks and a more efficient show layout. The revised exhibitor price list will allow your organization to display more boats or boating gear for less money. New show features and regional advertising are expected to attract more visitors to the show than any time in recent history.

For the 2011 show, several attractions are planned:

Delmarva Dock Dog Competition

The Delmarva Dock Dogs are the regional group of the National Dock Dogs, www.dockdogs.com.  They will compete in an above ground pool in three waves: speed retrieval, extreme vertical, and big air.  This competition will bring fun to the show for all ages.

MSSA Rockfish Tournament Weigh Station

The Maryland Saltwater Sportsfishermen’s Association and AllTackle will be adding a weigh station at the Bay Bridge Boat Show for the largest Rockfish Tournament in the Nation.  In addition the Bay Bridge Boat Show will be hosting a weekend rendezvous for the anglers. Adjacent to the weigh station will be a “fishermans pier,” which will house unique fishing boat makes.

Other Show Features

Expansive Food Court

Children’s fishing activities and demonstrations by AllTackle on the weigh station

Daily seminars co-sponsored by Chesapeake Bay Magazine and Annapolis School of Seamanship

Live entertainment at the Pool Bar & Grill

Racing hydroplanes from Kent Island Racing Association

Bay Bridge Boat Show :     April 28 – May 1, 2011.

Show Hours:

Thursday, April 28         Noon to 6pm
Friday, Saturday, April 29-30    10am – 6pm
Sunday, May 1            10am – 5pm

Tickets:

Adults $12.
Children (7-12) $4.
Under 6 Free.
Two day ticket $19

For tickets and complete details:

www.usboat.com
Phone 410-268-8828