The Chesapeake Bay has 12 major rivers, and arguments could be made for each one being the most special. The St. Marys River in southern Maryland stands out for its unique combination of significant colonial and tribal history, nature, and wildlife.
On Saturday, Sept. 27, the St. Mary’s River Watershed Association (SMRWA) will hold RiverFest!, a free festival celebrating the river and its traditions. Now in its 18th year, the festival includes the annual ceremonial wade-in.
In honor of the late Maryland Senator Bernie Fowler, who held a Patuxent River wade-in for more than three decades, participants will link arms and walk into the river, continuing until they reach the water depth where they can no longer see their feet. It’s an unscientific way to call attention to water clarity in the river. Besides, it’s fun. Tip: bring your water shoes and a change of clothes if you plan to wade.
RiverFest will also host oyster-tonging demonstrations and teach folks to cast a seine net. Chesapeake Bay retriever demonstrations will go on throughout the day. Free kayaks from Team River Runners Southern Maryland. will be on hand to try out paddling. The Maryland Dove, homeported in Historic St. Mary’s City will be open for deck tours, too. The vessel was built in 2021 as a representation of the Ark and Dove, the sailing ships that brought the first settlers to St. Mary’s City in 1634.
This history is a key part of celebrating the St. Marys River. Native history there goes back 11,000 years. When European colonists arrived in 1634 seeking religious freedom, the banks of the St. Marys River were home to the Yaocomico Tribe of the Piscataway chiefdom. Historic St. Mary’s City was Maryland’s original state capitol. Both the Yaocomico people and the colonists made use of the calm waters and fertile land. For the settlers, the St. Marys River was a navigable waterway near the mouth of the Potomac River with access to the Chesapeake Bay.
These are the same attributes that make the St. Marys River a popular choice for today’s boaters. To get an immersive look at what the colonists experienced there, you can visit the Historic St. Mary’s City Museum, where admission is free during RiverFest. Reenactors from the St. Maries Citty Militia will hold their annual muster, recreating the sights, sounds, and smells of a 17th-century militia assembly defending the colony against Virginians and pirates.
Enjoy the river while listening to live music from bands like the Eastport Oyster Boys, Indian Summer, and even a performance of music and storytelling about protecting the Bay from the Chesapeake Public Charter School.
To further emphasize the importance of protecting the river and the Bay beyond it, there will be live animal demonstrations. Raptor’s Eye will bring birds of prey to show the importance of these predators to the Bay ecosystem. A natural resources program will bring snakes, turtles, and other critters native to the St. Marys River area.
RiverFest runs Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family-friendly free festival also includes food and exhitiors along with hands-on crafts for kids. To learn more, visit smrwa.org/riverfest/.
