Calvert County in April

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- March 29, 2005 -- Who needs Paris in the spring when there’s Calvert County and an “assortiment des attractions” to satisfy even the most finicky connoisseurs of fun?

Start with a unique activity sure to engage the whole family. On Saturday, April 9 from 9 a.m. to noon, join fellow grassroots activists for the annual Patuxent River Cleanup Day. It is believed the word “Patuxent” comes from the Algonquin Indians and means “good waters.” Everyone is invited to help remove the pollution and trash that could spoil the good waters of one of Maryland’s favorite tributaries in this annual statewide effort. Calvert will host four cleanup sites along the watershed at Hallowing Point, Solomons, King’s Landing Park and Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum. For more information or to register for this activity, visit www.CleanPatuxent.org or call 301.249.8200 (ext. 6).

The Calvert Country Market hosts its grand season opener on Saturday, April 16 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Prince Frederick Shopping Center. Revel in the start of the growing season as we celebrate Calvert’s agrarian roots with a craft fair, herb and vegetable plant sale, face painting, balloons and a live radio broadcast from 9 a.m. to noon with the on-air celebrities of 98.3 Star FM. The Calvert Animal Welfare League will be on hand with adoptable pets and information about their program. Come for the food and crafts – but stay for the fun! The Calvert Country Market offers locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, honey, pies, certified organic products and local crafts. Additionally, the Market features a bakery, seafood, butcher, green grocer, delicatessen, yarn, ceramics, wood crafts, polymer clay supplies, antiques shop, fine jewelry, candies, essential oils and shea butter and a gourd shop.

The Celtic Society of Southern Maryland will sponsor the 27th Annual Celtic Festival and Highland Gathering on April 30, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum. The festival highlights the heritage of the Scots, Irish, Welsh, Manx, Bretton, Cornish and British in the oldest Celtic celebration in Maryland. There will be three performing stages featuring dancers, fiddlers, pipers, athletes, drummers, pipebands and Celtic harpers. Watch crafters and storytellers and purchase old-world souvenirs and gifts in the Celtic market place.

The Calvert Marine Museum offers a number of activities for boating enthusiasts April 30 – May 1 with the Fifth Annual Chesapeake Antique Boat & Marine Engine Show in Solomons. See an exhibition of vintage inboard and outboard marine engines and antique steam and gas-powered boats from over 60 collectors on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission to the show is free. Throughout the weekend, there are also many other activities taking place including a yard sale fundraiser, 2:00 harbor cruise on the Wm. B. Tennison, tours of the Cove Point Lighthouse and model Skipjack races on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Of course, there are always those who hear “April” and think “fishing!” April 16 marks the beginning of the spring trophy season for striped bass throughout all of Bay country. Calvert County is home to the largest fleet of charter boats on the Chesapeake Bay and our charter boat captains and their mates are known far and wide for their skill in delivering unforgettable days of fishing. Spend the day aboard a boat like the Mary Lou II, Renegade, Barbie Doll or Tamshell2 and bring home your very own trophy fish for mounting, eating or just bragging about.

Put your impressive fish-catching skills to the test at the Rod n’ Reel’s 24th Annual Pro-Am Fishing Tournament, April 29 – May 1, in Chesapeake Beach. Land the grand prize Rockfish and, if it breaks the Maryland State Record, you’ll win a $25,000 cash prize and a $35,000 sport truck. Is there a better way to end a day on the country’s most beautiful estuary?

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com