PHOTO GALLERY: 44th Annual Maryland Seafood Festival

Over 20,000 people came from all over to experience the 44^th Annual Maryland Seafood Festival held at Sandy Point State Park in Annapolis.

The two-day festival, held Sept. 10 and 11, showcased some of the best seafood the Chesapeake region has to offer. 

Local non-profit organizations as well as professional food vendors featured over 75 various items from shrimp kabobs and stuffed crab balls to build your own cupcake. 

New to this year’s event was a partnership with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation in memory of 9/11.

Various Maryland agencies featured safety demonstrations and exhibits to include K-9 accelerant and bomb squad, 40-foot “house” mobile safety center that teaches low-cost safety at home, sprinkler trailer, fire boats and more.

“We are thrilled to be offering attendees even more activities, food and entertainment options,” said Stephanie Duncan Troxell, spokesperson for the Maryland Seafood Festival.  “From foodies to families and everyone in between, festival-goers are sure to find something that excites them.”

Other new features of the 44th Maryland Seafood Festival included the J.O. Spice “Create your Mallet Contest,” headlining band Cowboy Mouth and Country duo, Steel Magnolia.

The Maryland Seafood Festival has been an annual Annapolis tradition for the past 43 years and features food, music, exhibits, arts and crafts and more.

For more information, visit www.mdseafoodfestival.com.