Boat Shows Coming Soon To Annapolis, Kent Island

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Annapolis and Stevensville will host boat shows this month.

Bay Bridge Boat Show

The Bay Bridge Boat Show is first up. That exhibit will spotlight powerboats at Bay Bridge Marina, located on Kent Island at 337 Pier One Road.

The display runs from Thursday, April 21 through Sunday, April 24. The hours are:

• Thursday, April 21: Noon to 6:30 p.m.
• Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, April 24: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"Attendees can enjoy the stunning view of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge with bright sunrises and gorgeous sunsets as they climb aboard a wide array of powerboats of every style and size," the event website said. "With plenty of on-site parking available, food and beer stations, the Bay Bridge Boat Show is guaranteed to be a great day on the Bay for all."

Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show

The Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show will follow, showcasing high-end vessels at City Dock.

Mariners can enjoy the festivities from Friday, April 29 through Sunday, May 1. The hours are:

• Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30: 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• Sunday, May 1: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"With a long sailing tradition in Maryland and the Chesapeake Bay, the Annapolis Spring Sailboat Show rings in the new season by bringing together sailing enthusiasts from around the Mid-Atlantic," the show's webpage said. "Every April, guests experience an in-water show boasting the sailing industry’s latest boats, gear, and tech."

Tickets cost $20 for either show. Kids 12 and under are free.

Guests must buy their tickets in advance at this link. There will not be ticket booths on site.

Other Opportunities

Educational courses called Cruisers University will coincide with the Annapolis show. The Historic Inns of Annapolis will host those lessons from Thursday, April 28 through Sunday, May 1.

More than 70 classes are available to explain the fundamentals of open-water cruising. Prices vary based on the package. More details are posted here.

Annapolis Boat Shows planned all the offerings. The organization also manages the United States Powerboat Show (Thursday, Oct. 6 through Sunday, Oct. 9) and the United States Sailboat Show (Thursday, Oct. 13 through Monday, Oct. 17), which are both at City Dock.

"The Annapolis Boat Shows have a rich history of exhibiting the latest boats and yachts of all sizes," the group said online. "All four of our shows give boaters the unique opportunity to board and inspect virtually every new model on the market."

More information is posted at annapolisboatshows.com.

Annapolis Parking

There will be limited docking in Ego Alley after Sunday, April 24. Signs and red mooring bags will mark the prohibited zone. As always, captains must check in with the Harbormaster by calling (410) 263-7973 or radioing VHF 17.

Vendors will start setting up on Tuesday, April 26 and Wednesday, April 27.

Starting at midnight on Monday, April 25, cars can not park at the end of Dock Street from the Harbormaster’s Office to Susan Campbell Park. The City of Annapolis will tow violators.

Dock Street and Prince George Street will be closed from Craig Street to the water.

The city sent out a press release offering these parking tips:

Visitors can pay to park at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and Eastport Elementary School. There is a free shuttle to the show from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Eastport Elementary is a short walk across the Spa Creek bridge.

City Garages: Park at any one of the regular city garages: Noah Hillman, Knighton, Gotts Court, or Park Place and take the Free Downtown Shuttle.

Online Pre-Paid Parking Option: Visitors can reserve parking in advance at Gotts (25 Calvert Street, $16.80 per day), Hillman (150 Duke of Gloucester, $22.40 per day) or Knighton (1a Colonial Ave. at $11.20 per day) garages. For details, visit www.AnnapolisParking.com.

Additional Garages: Visitors may also find free parking at the State-owned Garage (aka Calvert Street Garage) at 19 St. Johns Street after 6 pm, Monday-Friday and all weekend. Whitmore Garage located at 25 Clay Street is also available to the public as space allows for a fee after 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday. Whitmore is free to the public every Sunday until 4 pm.

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