News: 23 March 2026, Maritime Crossroads: Experience your Chesapeake in 2026 (featuring the world premiere of “Voices of the Skipjack” documentary)

 
By Website Administrator Wes Simpkins
April 16, 2026
 

Maritime Crossroads: Experience your Chesapeake in 2026 (featuring the world premiere of “Voices of the Skipjack” documentary)

https://marylandday.org/events/at-the-maritime-crossroads-experience-your-chesapeake-in-2026/

Step into an evening dedicated to the rich maritime heritage of our region. More than a DOZEN organizations dedicated to sharing the beauty and history of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries will be on hand to share how you can experience the Bay in 2026: Tour a Lighthouse, Sail on a Skipjack or Schooner, Paddle a Kayak, or volunteer to help preserve maritime heritage and conserve our waterways.

The highlight of the evening will be the WORLD PREMIERE of “VOICES OF THE SKIPJACK,” a documentary presented by Skipjack Heritage Inc. The video gives an inside look at Maryland’s State Boat through the eyes and voices of hearty oysterman that still work the Bay.

EVENT CO-SPONSORS will be on hand to share their work and 2026 programs include Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse/ US Lighthouse Society, Annapolis Maritime Museum, Galesville Heritage Society, NPS Chesapeake Gateways, Watermark Tours, Schooner Woodwind, SpinSheet Publishing Company, Annapolis Boat Shows, Smithsonian Environmental Center, Blacks of the Chesapeake, Captain Avery Museum, Pride of Baltimore, Seafarers Yacht Club , the Maryland Seafood Festival and Preservation Maryland, and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

This event is supported in part by a grant from the Maritime Heritage Grant Program, administered by Preservation Maryland in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Learn more at https://preservationmaryland.org/marylandmaritime/

DOORS OPEN AT 5:30pm.

5:30-6:45pm Visit with a host of our nautical partners, learn about their missions, and plan to attend maritime events for 2026

6:45-7:15 Chesapeake Crossroads Executive Director Jane Cox will kick off the evenings presentations and invite partners to share their 2026 plans with talk about their work, programs, tours, etc.

7:15pm Gwen Mayes will give an overview of Skipjack history and heritage

7:30pm World Premiere of “Voices of the Skipjack” documentary

7:40-8:00 pm Jenifer Smith previews the season of Skipjacks on the Bay including three Skipjack Races you can go watch in 2026– and the latest details about the the second annual Skipjack Heritage Days at Sandy Point during the Maryland Seafood Festival (with Daryl Cooke.)

As of 3/9/2026 Confirmed Attendees include:

Skipjack Heritage Inc.
Thomas Point Lighthouse
Annapolis 250 – Voices Project
Preservation Maryland
NPS Chesapeake Gateways
MD Seafood Festival
Annapolis Maritime Museum
SpinSheet Publishing Company
Annapolis Boat Shows
Schooner Woodwind
Watermark
Captain Avery Museum
Galesville Heritage Society
Blacks of the Chesapeake
Smithsonian Environmental Research Center
Pride II
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Greater Annapolis