1-2
Leukemia Cup Regatta
Now in its 20th year, this popular fundraising regatta, in addition to excellent sailing, will feature anniversary events, a "Seersucker and Linen" gala and auction, and a crew party after the day of racing. Fri. gala at Annapolis Yacht Club; Sat. racing starts at 11 a.m.; after-party at Eastport Yacht Club,
4 p.m. 410-507-5025; www.leukemiacup.org.
1-3
Southern Bay Race Week
The Hampton Yacht Club hosts this big regatta weekend for PHRF, one-design and cruising classes, along with parties and prizes. Hampton, Va.; www.hamptonyc.com.
1-3
Blackbeard Festival
Grab your pirate gaarrrrb and enjoy a weekend of tall ships, re-enactments of Blackbeard's sea battles, live music, and plenty of pirate-themed fun. Downtown Hampton, Va. Sat. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Sun. noon-6 p.m. 757-727-0900;
www.blackbeardfestival.com.
2
Cobb Island Day
Celebrate summer on Cobb Island with food, games, crafts and live entertainment. Cobb Island, Md. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 301-259-4632; www.meetcharlescounty.com.
2
Upper Chesapeake Hospice Regatta
This annual regatta is a local qualifier for the National Hospice Regatta. Watch on shore at the Concord Point Lighthouse, then enjoy a party and dinner under the stars. Concord Point Lighthouse, Havre de Grace, Md. 5-10:30 p.m. 877-640-1809; www.hospiceregattas.org.
2
Virginia's Clean the Bay Day
Get your hands dirty with other volunteers from around the Bay as they help the Chesapeake Bay Foundation clean up the Bay from Cape Charles to Gloucester Point and everywhere in between. Virginia Bay-wide. 9 a.m.-noon. 800-SAVE-BAY; www.cbf.org.
2
Boating Expo
This free boating expo will feature a host of vendors, manufacturers and service providers for every boating need. There will also be a moon bounce for the kids, and the Maryland DNR and Bowleys Quarters VFD will be on site. Also, the US Power Squadron will be performing safety inspections. Bowleys Marina, Middle River, Md. 9 a.m.-noon. 443-690-3768; www.bowleysmarina.com/yachtclub.
2
Rhythm on the River
Help raise money for the West/Rhode Riverkeeper program at this waterfront party, complete with live music, dancing, food, drinks, a silent auction and fun for the whole family. Hartge Yacht Harbor, Galesville, Md. 5-8 p.m. 410-867-7171; www.westrhoderiverkeeper.org.
7
Spring Cotillion
This Eastport Yacht Club party toasts the local boating community, celebrates local boating professionals, and kicks off the Bermuda Ocean Race. Eastport Yacht Club, Annapolis. 5-10 p.m. www.eastportyc.org.
8
Bermuda Ocean Race
Head out on the Severn River to watch the start of this bluewater race from Annapolis to St. George, Bermuda. Eastport Yacht Club, Annapolis. 1:30 p.m. 443-458-5537; www.bermudaoceanrace.com.
8-10
Potomac River Festival
The festivities for this 61st annual party kick off on Friday night with a fire engine parade and the Miss Colonial Beach pageant, then continue through Sunday with carnival rides, arts and crafts, activities, a boat parade, concerts and fireworks. Colonial Beach, Va. 774-392-4986. For full schedule, visit colonialbeach.org/prf.html.
8-11
Norfolk Harborfest
This year's Harborfest will be even bigger than usual! Coinciding with OpSail [see page 38] festivities, Harborfest will feature three parades of sail, as well as ship tours, a huge fireworks display, family activities, performances, music, water activities and more, spanning the whole downtown Norfolk waterfront area. Norfolk, Va. Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-midnight; Sun.-Mon. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. 757-441-2345; www.festevents.org.
9
St. Mary's Crab Festival
Steamed crabs aren't the only thing crackin' at this festival. There will also be crab soups, crabcakes, crab dip and plenty of live music, dance performances and arts and crafts vendors. St. Mary's County Fairgrounds, Leonardtown, Md. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 301-
475-4200; www.stmaryscrabfestival.com.
9
Cambridge Second Saturday
Visit Cambridge, Md., and enjoy its monthly gallery events, late shopping hours, special dining deals and live entertainment. Cambridge, Md. 5-9 p.m. 443-477-0843; www.cambridgemainstreet.com.
9-10
Annapolis Arts and Crafts Festival
Over 200 arts and crafts vendors will be exhibiting and selling their wares at this inaugural festival, which also includes a specialty food pavilion and wine festival featuring more than 15 Maryland wineries. Navy/Marine Corps Stadium, Annapolis. Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. www.annapolisartsandcraftsfestival.com.
9-10
Kayaxpedition Chesapeake, Va.
This on-the-water festival will feature eco tours, demos, sunset paddles, a race, and a unique experience to "stuff the locks" in the Dismal Swamp. Chesapeake, Va. 757-502-4898; www.cityofchesapeake.net.
9-10
Thunder on the Narrows
Watch hydroplanes and Jersey skiffs racing at speeds over 100 mph in Kent Narrows. Kent Island Yacht Club, Chester, Md. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 410-643-4101; www.kentnarrowsracing.com.
10
Great Chesapeake Bay Swim
A 4.4-mile swim isn't easy. So head on down to Sandy Point State Park to cheer on the brave swimmers as they plunge into the Bay to swim underneath the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to Hemingway's on the Eastern Shore. Sandy Point State Park and Hemingway's Restaurant, Stevensville, Md. 9 a.m. 856-468-0010; www.bayswim.com.
10
Ladies Rockfish Tournament
Ladies, grab your gear and show the boys how it's done! Men can be captain or mate, but only ladies can fish in this annual rockfish tournament. Harrison's Chesapeake House, Tilghman, Md. Fishing 6 a.m.-1:30 p.m., awards ceremony and party afterward. 410-745-5457; www.bayhundreddu.com.
10
Potomac River Gala
Enjoy an afternoon of music, food, a silent auction and more to celebrate the Potomac River and raise money for its preservation at the Riverkeeper's annual gala event. House of Sweden, Washington, D.C. 4-7 p.m. 202-222-0706; potomacriverkeeper.org.
15-16
Cock Island Race
Gather along Portsmouth's shores to watch racers dodge the barges and ships on the Elizabeth River, then head to the parties on Friday and Saturday nights. North Landing, Portsmouth, Va. 757-393-8481; www.visitportsva.com.
15-17
Rock Hall One-Design Regatta
Enjoy Friday's "Down River" race along the Chester, then two days of racing for 13 classes of one-design boats. Rock Hall Yacht Club, Rock Hall, Md. 410-639-2182; www.rockhallyachtclub.org.
15-17
Antique and Classic Boat Festival
This year's beautiful display of antique and classic boats will be headlined by a collection of Silver Arrow Chris-Crafts, to mark the show's 25th anniversary. There will also be boatbuilding demonstrations, maritime vendors, a juried art show, and, new this year, a live jazz concert at the Tolchester Beach Bandstand. Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, St. Michaels, Md. Fri. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., concert 2-3:30 p.m. 410-437-8108; www.cbmm.org.
16
Rivahfest
Tappahannock's affection for the Rappahannock "Rivah" blossoms each year into a day of parades, maritime demonstrations and an antique boat show, the Taste of Tappahannock and a rubber duck race. Tappahannock, Va. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 888-973-4443; www.rivahfest.com.
16
Maryland Traditions Folklife Festival
This celebration of traditional artists and musicians from around the state is an interactive, family-friendly festival with performances, demonstrations, workshops and plenty of children's activities. Creative Alliance at the Patterson, Baltimore. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. 410-767-8851; www.msac.org.
16
Bands in the Sand
Stick your toes in the sand and dance the night away at this beach-themed fundraiser for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Sponsored by the Boatyard Bar & Grill, the party will feature live bands, drinks, food and an art auction. Philip Merrill Environmental Center, Annapolis. 5-10:30 p.m. 443-482-2111; www.cbf.org.
16
Potomac River Poker Run
The folks at Tim's Rivershore sponsor this popular poker run with views of and stops at historic landmarks such as Fort Washington, Mount Vernon and, of course, both Tim's locations. Leesylvania State Park, Woodbridge, Va. Call for times. 703-441-1375; www.timsrivershore.com.
16-23
Batteau Festival
This festival celebrates the 18th-century river bateau by sending a fleet of replica flat-bottom cargo boats down the James River from Lynchburg, Va., to Richmond. The pre-festival party on Friday in Lynchburg features a parade and live entertainment. The launch of the boats takes place on Saturday. Lynchburg, Va. Check online for details. 434-
528-3950; vacanals.org.
17
Calico Jack Concert
Calico Jack will kick off the Captain Avery House's summer Music on the Lawn concert series with songs and stories of the Chesapeake Bay. Captain Avery House, Shady Side, Md. 6-7:30 p.m. 410-867-4486; www.captainaveryhouse.org.
17
Father's Day Cruise
Treat your dad to a
brunch or evening cruise aboard the buyboat
Wm. B. Tennison. Preregistration required. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, Md. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., 5-6:30 p.m. 410-326-2042 ext. 41; www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.
18-23
Teen Boatbuilding School
Chesapeake Wooden Boat Building School instructors will lead teenagers in this week-long course to make their own canoe. Advance registration required. Havre de Grace Maritime Museum, Havre de Grace, Md. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. 410-939-4800; www.hdgmaritimemuseum.org.
20
Summer Solstice Kayak Trip
Head to Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge for a kayak trip around the island. 6-8 p.m. Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge, Rock Hall, Md. 5:30 p.m. 410-778-7295; easternneck.fws.gov.
22-24
Typhoon National Regatta
After last year's very successful inaugural Typhoon nationals, the Rappahannock River Yacht Club is proud to continue the event, which will host these historic yachts, affectionately called the "world's littlest yacht," for two days of racing and fun on Carter Creek. Rappahannock Yacht Club, Irvington, Va. www.typhoonnationals.blogspot.com.
22-24
Hampton Jazz Festival
Music lovers from all over the country make a pilgrimage every year for this star-studded jazz festival that attracts the nation's top blues, soul, pop and jazz performers. Hampton Coliseum, Hampton, Va. Fri. 7:30 p.m.; Sat. 7 p.m.; Sun. 2 p.m. 757-838-5650; www.hamptonjazzfestival.com.
23
Cardboard Boat Races
Don't be late for this annual wacky, homemade cardboard race, because the boats will sink fast! Oxford, Md. Inspection at 9 a.m., races at 10 a.m. 410-789-6677; www.oxfordmd.net.
23
Tilghman Island Seafood Festival
Cheer for your favorite racing crab, parade float or trot-line-baiter during Tilghman Island's summer seafood festival contests. Oh, and enjoy some fantastic local seafood too! Tilghman, Md. 11 a.m. 410-866-2677; www.tilghmanmd.com.
23
Eastport-a-Rockin'
One-day, three-stages, 26 bands! This party is bigger than ever and has plenty of family fun too. 723 Second St., Eastport, Annapolis. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 410-916-5500; www.eastportarockin.com.
23
Summer Sailstice
Celebrate sailing during this global holiday, held annually on the weekend closest to the summer solstice. Each year Summer Sailstice connects over 10,000 sailors all over the world to revel in a day of sailing. To find the celebration nearest you, visit www.summersailstice.com.
23
Summertime Blues Festival
Local, regional and national blues acts will be performing at this outdoor music festival. Steppingstone Museum, Havre de Grace, Md. 2-8 p.m. 410-939-2299.
23-24
Log Canoe Races
The inaugural 4th of July series brings the log canoe fleet to St. Michaels, Md., for two days of classic boat racing. Hosted by the Miles River Yacht Club. St. Michaels, Md. Races Sat. 2 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. www.blogcanoe.com.
29-30
Smithfield Olden Days
A wacky, anything-that-floats Pagan River raft race is just the icing on the cake at this weekend-long festival that also includes a parade, a barbecue cook-off and more. Smithfield, Va. See website for specific events and times. www.visitsmithfieldisleofwight.com.
29-30
Gwynn's Island Festival
The folks on Gwynn's Island have been perfecting this annual festival for 63 years, so head on down to enjoy the fun! There will be food, music, arts and crafts, lawnmower races and plenty more. Gwynn's Island, Va. 9 a.m.-3:45 p.m. 804-725-7577; www.visitmathews.com.
30
Liberty Ship Cruise
Tour the Patapsco River aboard the historic Liberty Ship John W. Brown and enjoy historic demonstrations, military fly-bys and re-enactments. Tickets required. North Locust Point Marine Terminal, Baltimore. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 410-558-0164; www.liberty-ship.com.
30
Canal Fest
Canal Days as we know it may be over, but that won't stop the people of Chesapeake City from enjoying live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, children's activities, food and other family fun. Pell Gardens, Chesapeake City, Md. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. www.chesapeakecity.com
30
Flounder Bowl
Touted as a two-day party with a fishing tournament on the side, this year's fun flounder tournament has a top prize of $5,000. There will also be youth awards and more, presented at the fish fry awards party. Dare Marina and Yacht Sales, Yorktown, Va. Call for times. 757-262-9004; www.pswsfa.com.
30
Tim's Not-on-the-4th-of-July Fireworks
Get your Fourth of July fireworks fix early as Tim's Rivershore Restaurant and Crabhouse lights up the sky. Dumfries, Va. 9 p.m. 703-441-1375; www.timsrivershore.com.