Half a Cup of Summer Left
Summer is half over. August 2 marks the midway point between the solstice, which began our summer on June 20, and the autumnal equinox, beginning fall on September 22.
That’s the woeful way of saying we have half the season of good times left. So let’s make the most of it.
Over the years Bay Weekly has made an art of gathering ways to enjoy summer. You’ll have misspent your summer if you haven’t made time for these.
1. Get Cool in the Pool
Summer’s biggest treat has all too short a lease with most outdoor pools closing after Labor Day. If you haven’t yet taken a dip under the open sky or if you want to swim your way through Chesapeake Country, here’s where:
Annapolis: Truxtun Park Swimming Pool: 410-263-7928
Chesapeake Beach Water Park: 410-257-1404
Glen Burnie: North Arundel Aquatic Center: 410-222-0090
Huntingtown: Kings Landing Park: 410-535–3321
Lusby: Cove Point Park: 410-394-6248
Severna Park Swim Association: 410-315-7779 x104
2. Discover a Bay Beach.
Bay beaches lack the great sweep of their ocean cousins. Cut to a human scale, most can be measured in footsteps. They’re scarce, too, for nowadays development has closed up most Western Shore waterfront. So when you’ve found a Chesapeake beach, you’ve found a treasure.
Our list ranges in size (from large to tiny), hours open, activities (swim, wade, fish, camp, launch a boat, bring your dog) and admission. Check out the possibilities before you make your plans.
Annapolis: Sandy Point State Park: 410-974-2149
Breezy Point: 410-535-0259
Chesapeake Beach: Bay Front Park: 410-257-2230
Lusby: Calvert Cliffs State Park: 301-743-7613
North Beach: 301-855-6681
Pasadena: Downs Park: 410-222-6230.
Pasadena: Fort Smallwood Park: 410-222-0087
Prince Frederick: Flag Ponds: 410-586-1477
Rose Haven: 877-620-8367
3. Savor a Seafood Festival
August brings the best crabs and biggest seafood festivals. Tuck into the biggest of all Friday, August 3. It’s close to home in Annapolis. Others make a great excuse for an excursion you can make by car or boat.
Friday, Aug. 3: Annapolis Rotary Crabfest: www.annapolisrotary.com/
crabfeast.asp
Friday, Aug. 10: Havre de Grace Seafood Festival: www.HdGSeafoodFestival.org
Saturday, Aug. 11: Cambridge Seafood Feastival: www.seafoodfeastival.com
Saturday, Aug. 18: Chesapeake Crab and Beer Festival at National Harbor: www.mdcrabfest.com
Friday, Aug. 24: Wesley Chapel Old Time Fish Fry at Rock Hall: 410-639-2272
4. Listen to Music in the Open Air
Aug. 3: Navy Cruisers at Calvert Marine Museum: www.calvertmarinemuseum.com
Aug. 4: Kings of Crownsville at Quiet Waters: www.friendsofquietwaterspark.org/concert.html
Aug. 7: Naval Academy’s Concert Band at City Dock: www.usna.edu/USNABand/Schedule
Aug. 8: Tom Lagana Group at Maryland Hall Labyrinth: www.marylandhall.org
Aug. 8: The Entertainers at Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa: CBResortSpa.com
Aug. 9: Terry Marsh at Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum: www.cbrm.org
Aug. 11: Justin Crenshaw Band at North Beach Boardwalk: www.northbeachmd.org
Aug 11: U.S. Navy Band Cruisers at Quiet Waters: www.friendsofquietwaterspark.org/concert.html
Aug. 14: Naval Academy’s Concert Band at City Dock: www.usna.edu/USNABand/Schedule
Aug. 15: Steve Bassett’s Virginia Breeze at Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa: CBResortSpa.com
Aug. 16: Boston at Calvert Marine Museum: www.calvertmarinemuseum.com
Aug. 18: The Military Band at Quiet Waters: www.friendsofquietwaterspark.org/concert.html
Aug. 22: Right on Band at Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa: CBResortSpa.com
Aug 25: Don’t Panic at Quiet Waters: www.friendsofquietwaterspark.
org/concert.html
Aug. 19: The Embers at Chesapeake Beach Resort & Spa: CBResortSpa.com
Sept. 1: Big and Rich at St. Leonard Volunteer Fire Department: www.ticketmaster.com.
Sept. 2: Annapolis Symphony Orchestra at Quiet Waters: www.friendsofquietwaterspark.org/concert.html
Sept. 7: Calvert Dance Band at Calvert Marine Museum: www.calvertmarinemuseum.com
Sept. 12: Rob Levit at Maryland Hall Labyrinth: www.marylandhall.org
Sept. 13: Dixie Land Power Trio at Chesapeake Beach Railway Museum: www.cbrm.org
5. Hop Dock Bars
By definition, a dock bar has to have a place to tie up a boat, and most have spots for cars, too. You’ll need a designated driver or captain.
Annapolis: Cantler’s Riverside Inn: 410-757-1311
Annapolis: Proud Mary’s Dock Bar at Sam’s: 410-793-4383
Annapolis: Pusser’s Caribbean Grill: 410-626-0004
Annapolis: Severn Inn: 410-349-4000
Arnold: Deep Creek Restaurant: 410-757-4045
Benedict: River’s Edge: 301-274-2828
Chesapeake Beach Boardwalk Café: 410-257-2735
Deale: Happy Harbor Inn: 301-261-5297
Deale: Skipper’s Pier: 410-867-7110
Galesville: Big Mary’s at Pirates Cove: 410-867-2300
Galesville: Thursday’s: 410-867-7200
Edgewater: Coconut Joe’s: 443-837-6057
Lusby: Vera’s White Sands Beach Club: 410-586-1182
Riva: Mike’s Crab House: 410-956-2781
Solomons: Solomon’s Pier: 410-326-2424
Traceys Landing: Calypso Bay Tiki Bar: 410-867-9787