Antique & Classic Boat Festival and Coastal Arts Fair

Boat lovers, Chesapeake Bay lovers, Father’s Day celebrants: you won’t want to miss this annual Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum this Father’s Day weekend tradition that is one of the largest classic boat shows in the Mid-Atlantic region. In addition to the wide range of vessels on display the festival is accompanied by a juried Coastal Arts Fair showcasing vendors whose products and art reflect boats, the water, and coastal life. The festival will feature a lineup of 10 seminars highlighting experts, historians, and authors and include a Field of Dreams for those looking to purchase a boat, boat rides, a nautical flea market and a children’s scavenger hunt, as well as a DJ spinning classic tunes. June 16-18, Chesapeake Bay Martime Museum, St. Michaels, MD. More information and tickets 

Annapolis Juneteenth Parade and Festival

Juneteenth is a celebration of the abolition of the chattel slave system, and the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in Texas. Juneteenth is celebrated across the country, but the festivities in Annapolis have to be one of the best! This year promises to be bigger and better than ever. More floats! More bands! You’re invited to join the parade June 17 at Susan Campbell Park at the City Dock: Libation Ceremony at 11:45 a.m. and parade stepoff at 12 p.m. Festivities continue at Bates Athletic Complex at 1 p.m., with live musical performances of jazz, hip hop, blues, rap, gospel and more! The parade and festival are free to the public. More information 

33rd Annual Strawberry Festival

Celebrate the strawberry season at Benson Hammond House’s 33rd annual Strawberry Festival held to celebrate the rich farming history of northern Anne Arundel County. Enjoy live music, food trucks and over 50 vendors selling homemade crafts and products. Strawberry wine and famous strawberry shortcake will be available for purchase. June 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Benson Hammond House, Linthicum, MD. More information.

Paradise Creek Guided Kayak Tour

Come paddle the largest restored wetland in Virginia that is open for public recreation! After a quick lesson on paddle strokes, you will get on the water and head through the marsh maze before entering Paradise Creek. Once on Paradise Creek paddle down to an oyster bed, then head back in. Kayak, life jacket, and paddle will be provided. $45 for not yet members. June 10, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; Paradise Creek Nature Park, Portsmouth, VA. More information and registration

Father’s Day Cruise

What dad or “special” someone wouldn’t love an evening cruise on Father’s Day? Join the Calvert Marine Museum on Wm. B. Tennison for heavy hors d'oeuvres, a Father's Day cake, water, tea and drinks on board. The buyboat Wm. B. Tennison is a former Chesapeake Bay oyster bugeye built in 1899. Initially powered by sail, the Tennison was converted to power in 1907. June 18, 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, MD. Can’t make it for Father’s Day? The Tennison has plenty more public cruises throughout the summer. More information

Music by the River at Belle Isle

Every summer music lovers gather on the Rappahannock River to enjoy some fine music. The season kicks off this year on June 10, so grab your lawn chair, pack a picnic dinner, and enjoy the show. Music performances include classic bluegrass with a modern flair, a band traveling from Mississippi with music from the early 20th century to funk, bebop and modern jazz, rock and country (bring your dancing shoes), gospel and traditional hymns, Americana and Alt-Country. June 10 and 17, July 8 and 29, August 12 and 19; Belle Isle State Park, Lancaster, VA. More information  

Henricus Maker’s Market

Wander through a 17th-century Powhatan village and English fort while checking out local artisans and learning from Henricus Park’s living historians about skills and crafts from the period. Free. June 10, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.; Henricus Historical Park, Chester, VA. More info

Photograph Safari Hike

Award-winning wildlife photographer and certified master naturalist Barbara Saffir will lead a roughly 2-mile hike on dirt (and sometimes muddy) trails and a boardwalk at a relatively slow pace with many photo stops.  Patuxent’s wetland trails wind past nesting ospreys, sunflower-yellow prothonotary warblers, other resident and migratory birds, and critters such as butterflies, frogs and northern watersnakes. Cell phone cameras to long lenses are welcome. $45 for not yet members of the Natural History Society of Maryland. June 10, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.; Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, MD. More information and registration 

Trip of the Week

A trailside stop at the Chiques Creek Bridge to observe the area’s unique geological features

Hike or Bike This Great Susquehanna Heritage Trail

The Columbia Crossing River Trails Center is a great place to start your exploration of the Susquehanna National Heritage Area. Situated on the Susquehanna River with the beautiful Columbia Wrightsville Bridge dominating the landscape, the River Trails Center is also the trailhead for the 14-mile Northwest Lancaster County River Trail. You can park at the center and pick up your trail maps and brochures there. The entirely paved, 14-mile trail passes through Point Rock Tunnel, the Cenozoic-era Chickies Rock Formation, a historic pig iron furnace complex and the Chiques Creek. The trail offers frequent views of the Susquehanna River. A Trail Through the Susquehanna National Heritage Area provides a great preview of hiking or biking the trail.

Join Paddle Quest for Fun and Prizes

Virginia State Parks has a new program this summer – the Wandering Waters Paddle Quest. 31 Virginia State Parks are offering Paddle Quest and all you have to do is 1) join a ranger guided park paddle, 2) rent paddle equipment from the park and go on a self-guided tour or 3) BYO boat and design your own adventure in a state park. Depending on how many paddles you complete you can win stickers, a patch, a mesh gear bag or a cellphone dry bag and a certificate (if you complete all 31 parks). More information and Paddle Quest registration 

Explore the Current, Weather and Captain John Smith's Historic Voyage with CBIBS!

Head out on the water and learn firsthand the experiences of Captain John Smith's Voyage on NOAA's Chesapeake Bay interpretive Buoy System. CBIBS provides real time weather and environmental information, as well as a glimpse into living Chesapeake Bay History. You can also download the app for your Android or iPhone from the website. Note: some buoys may be offline with no data currently available.



Chesapeake Trail Riverview

Take a virtual tour of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail from your computer or mobile device! To help you plan your trip before you go, the Chesapeake Conservancy partnered with Terrain360 to bring you virtual tours of the trail’s great rivers. Sit back and virtually explore the Elk, James (sponsored by the James River Association), Nanticoke, Northeast, Patapsco, Patuxent, Potomac, Rappahannock, Sassafras, Susquehanna, and York rivers. Check out some of the Chesapeake’s special places like Werowocomoco, Fones Cliffs, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and Mallows Bay. We hope to eventually bring you a virtual tour of the entire Chesapeake Trail! Explore the Chesapeake's great rivers on our website.