FREE Family Fun For All Ages!
Patuxent River Appreciation Days (PRAD) is celebrating 37 years on October 11 and 12 at the Calvert Marine Museum. PRAD is one of the longest running festivals in Southern Maryland and all members of the family can enjoy free fun from 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Museum admission is free and complimentary parking is available.
The arts and craft show with over thirty artists will be located in the museum’s parking lot along with and local food vendors on both days of the festival. The two music stages will host live performances including Calvert Dance Band, Jay Armsworthy, Folk Salad Trio, Pond Scum, and many more. Children can build their own toy boats while the whole family enjoys free cruises aboard the Wm. B. Tennison, Nathan of Dorchester, and Dee of St. Mary’s. Paddle in canoes in the boat basin throughout the weekend.
Dozens of non-profit groups that celebrate the river in a wide variety of ways will offer exhibits, demonstrations, displays, and educational activities about green products, recycling, oyster farming, native plants, wildlife, restoration efforts, live animals, and more.
Back by popular demand is “Bounty of the Patuxent” in the Corbin Pavilion. On Saturday, local wineries from Port of Leonardtown, Solomons Island, Perigeaux and Running Hare Vineyard will offer wine tasting. A wonderful array of fall produce, potted mums, honey and homemade jellies/jams and lavender products will also be for sale.
Stop by the Harms Gallery on both days to visit local published adult and children’s authors including John Into, Kelli Nash, Elaine Allen, Susan Glick, Jennifer Keats Curtis and more made possible by Schiffer Publishing. This is a perfect opportunity to find a new favorite book and/or personalize a book for a special holiday gift.
The annual PRAD Parade with a one mile route along Solomons Island Road will begin Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Non-profit organizations are welcome to join the parade with cash prizes offered for best float entries. To enter your float or organization, contact Randy Geck at rgeck@xecu.net.
PRAD is made possible through the generous support of the Calvert County Board of Commissioners and in part by the Calvert Marine Museum, Calvert Artists’ Guild, Calvert Waterman’s Association, Pa-Po-Peake Shrine Club and American Legion-Arick L. Lore Post. For more information about PRAD, including a complete schedule of events, visit http://www.pradinc.org, or call 410-326-2042, ext. 41.
PRAD Music Performance Schedule
Saturday, October 11 - Main Stage
11:00-11:45 SMCM Jazz Band
Noon-12:45 Cruizers – Dance Troupe
1:00-1:45 Cruizers – Dance Troupe
2:00-2:45 James Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition
3:00-3:45 Calvert Dance Band
Saturday, October 11 – Corbin Stage
10:00-10:45 Eric Skow & Bob Pfeiffer, Folk, Rock
11:00-11:45 Some Assembly
Noon-12:45 GrooveSpan
1:00-1:45 Moon Dog Med Show
2:00-2:45 Patuxent Voices
3:15-4:30 Folk Salad Trio
Sunday, October 12 - Main Stage
Noon -12:45 County Memories
1:00-1:45 Pond Scum
3:15-4:30 Southern Maryland Jazz Band
CMM PRAD photos attached courtesy Bob Hall
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Press Contact: Traci Cimini - ciminita@co.cal.md.us or call 410-326-2042, ext. 62
The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors and military with valid I.D., and $4.00 for children ages 5 - 12; children under 5 and museum members are always admitted free. For more information about the museum, upcoming events, or membership, visit the website at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com or call 410-326-2042. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.