Maryland Day 2017 Celebrations: Dates, Times, Schedule of Events

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Get ready for a weekend "Made in Maryland" to celebrate the state's birthday. Maryland Day Weekend Celebration will kick off Friday, March 24, and last until Sunday, March 26, with many events taking place near the Annapolis harbor and downtown area.

Maryland Day commemorates the formal founding of the colony of Maryland, which historians say took place on March 25, 1633 or 1634. Attendees can celebrate the state's birthday with over 40 events and shopping discounts.

“Maryland Day is a great opportunity for people across the state to recognize and celebrate our deep history, from the original native inhabitants of this land like the Piscataway and Patuxent tribes, to the first settlers who traveled here more than three centuries ago seeking religious freedom, to the birth of a new nation, and beyond,” Gov. Larry Hogan said.

This is the tenth year that the Maryland Day celebration has been sponsored by the Four Rivers Heritage Area, according to the press release. This year's theme is "Made in Maryland."

Attendees are invited to check out the Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Visitors Center at 26 West St., or the Information Booth at City Dock to pick up a complimentary Maryland Day program.

A complimentary Maryland Day shuttle will go to and from select events in downtown Annapolis. It will depart from the 26 West Street Visitors from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, courtesy of Towne Transport.

The best part of the day is that all of the activities are either free, or cost $1. Want to know what you can do to celebrate Maryland Day? Here's a list of Patch favorites:

Friday, March 24

Head over to the Naval Academy Museum to check out two floors of exhibits about the history of seapower, the development of the U.S. Navy and the role of the U.S. Naval Academy in producing officers able to lead America's soldiers and marines. The Museum is located at 118 Maryland Ave., Annapolis.

You can try your hand at making rope and chopping wood at Historic London Town & Gardens at 839 Londontown Road in Edgewater. Kids can even dress up in colonial-style clothing during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Entrance costs $1.

Learn how oysters go from creek to plate with hands-on activities like exploring, shucking and dissecting at Annapolis Maritime Museum at 723 Second St. Entrance is free from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Pick up maps for a self-guided tour called "A Scavenger Hunt for History" at the Annapolis Maritime Museum from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Families can explore the history of the neighborhood, which was first inhabited in the 1650s. The two-mile walking loop features the collaborative maritime, commercial and residential community. The scavenger hunt is free.

>> Click the Friday, March 24 link above for a full list of activities.

Saturday, March 25

Start your morning off at the Anne Arundel County Farmers Market at 275 Truman Parkway in Annapolis from 7 a.m. to noon. This is the only Maryland producers market in Anne Arundel County, and features everything from fruit, veggies, meat, cheese, soap, honey, flowers, baked goods, cooking demonstrations, furniture, plants and more.

Don't miss the Maryland Day Flag-Raising Ceremony at 10 a.m. at City Dock. Four Rivers Heritage Area and partners will present the flag raising ceremony with music by the Annapolis Drum and Bugle Corps and flag detail by the award-winning USNA League Cadets of the Training Ship Mercedes.

Directly following the Flag Ceremony at City Dock, tour Annapolis on the award-winning walking tour, Our Legacy Tours. The tour explores the history of captured African Americans and indentured English and Irish in America. When the American Civil War began, Maryland was home to more free blacks than any other state.

Watch Governor Hogan aboard Pride of Baltimore II as she crosses the Baltimore Harbor between iconic sites central to Maryland History: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine and Fells Point. Governor Hogan will leave Fort McHenry at 3 p.m. and arrive at Fells Point at 3:30 p.m.

Don't miss a day celebrating music and food "Made in Maryland" at the Maryland Theatre for the Performing Arts at 1 Park Place in Annapolis. From 12-5 p.m., visitors can enjoy this free outside event featuring performances by the All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis, Bumper Jacksons and more. Kids can even climb on the “Lil Nippers” model oyster boat from the Oyster Recovery Partnership and “tong for oysters."

>> Click the Saturday, March 25 link above for a full list of activities.

Sunday, March 26

Shop the historic shopping area of Annapolis at Maryland Ave and State Circle Association. Enjoy discounts, treats and more with a "Made in Maryland" twist. Visit the Business Specials website page for a listing of locations.

The Galesville Heritage Society and Museum will educate visitors on boat building on the West River from 1-4 p.m. at 988 Main St. of Galesville. Learn about Native American dugout canoes to Steward’s Shipyard in colonial times to 19th century log canoes and today’s modern techniques.

Don't miss the Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts at 801 Chase St. in Annapolis from 1-4 p.m. Explore all that Maryland Hall has to offer at the "Art-Fest" Open House, featuring demonstrations, performances, activities, crafts, community projects and more. Popcorn and ice-cream will be provided, as well as face painting, a pottery sale and much more.

>> Click the Sunday, March 26 link above for a full list of activities.

Photo: Maryland Day Press Release