Skipjack Heritage Days at Maryland Seafood Festival

The Chesapeake Bay was once home to over 1,400 skipjacks—America’s last commercial sailing fleet. Today, fewer than 24 float with only a dozen actively oystering.

Skipjack Heritage Days is a new, signature event that brings the legacy of these iconic vessels to life through education, hands-on experiences, and celebration.

This event offers a rare opportunity for families, students, and maritime enthusiasts to ride, tour, and learn from historic skipjacks and the captains who sail them. It revives a tradition of skipjack races and storytelling that once united our waterfront communities.

Held during the MD Seafood Festival (11am–7pm both days), Skipjack Heritage Days includes:

Saturday (11am–5pm): Champions of the Chesapeake Family Hands-on Activity Area Skipjack tours & public boat rides Live storytelling, speakers, and heritage presentations	Sunday (11am–3pm): 11am: Parade of Skipjacks 12pm: Skipjack Race in the Bay (visible from shore) 3pm: Awards Ceremony