2011 Crisfield Freedom Fest and fireworks

Fireworks in Crisfield, 4th of July 2011

Join us in Crisfield on July 3, for the holiday festivities that will honor both our nation and military. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy lovely Somers Cove Marina. Gates open at 7 p.m. We have a wonderful program that leads up to our eye-popping fireworks. Did you know we are quite famous for our fireworks?


Admission: $5. No charge for veterans. For more info, read original press release at end of this post.

Crisfield, MD—Freedom Fest, a 4^th of July event that is as American as apple pie, is planned for the 3^rd, 2011.  Again this year, attendees may expect FREE children’s activities, food and libations, a 16’ veterans slideshow, a military flyover and a grand fireworks display that evening over the water.  New this year will be a lively musical group from the Maryland Army National Guard’s 229^th Army Band that is sure to rock the Somers Cove Marina. year in the Somers Cove Marina this July 3.

LIVEFIRE, the rock band of the Maryland Army National Guard’s 229^th Army Band, is comprised of a select group of outstanding musicians. The group comes prepared with a repertoire of music ranging from Lynard Skynard, Stevie Wonder, Cake, Train, Wilson Pickett, Jimmy Buffet and Chicago. This high-energy band has everything needed to bring the “Good Times” to any all ages event.

This 8-piece group has one principle mission objective – play music that everyone knows!  The citizen-soldier musicians of this group bring together diverse musical backgrounds that have uniquely enabled the group to cover a wide style of good time music.  The group is well suited for venues ranging from school and civic auditoriums to outdoor festival stages.  LIVEFIRE’s innovative style and boundless energy command the stage and guarantees that your event is a hit!

Set to join LIVEFIRE on stage at Freedom Fest are two other bands from the 229^th Army Band.  The event is only $5/per person, FREE to all veterans and active duty service members and guaranteed fun for the entire family.  Mark your calendars now and plan to celebrate this 4^th of July in beautiful Crisfield, Maryland.

Cactuses, cactus, cacti...

Cactuses, cactus, cacti in  Crisfield

"Who wants to become a writer? And why? Because it's the answer to everything. To ''Why am I here?'' To uselessness. It's the streaming reason for living. To note, to pin down, to build up, to create, to be astonished at nothing, to cherish the oddities, to let nothing go down the drain, to make something, to make a great flower out of life, even if it's a cactus." ~ Enid Bagnold 

I like that quote because it is true for both writers and photographers, and because I took this photo in front of Eddie Heath's Crab Pots, and it is really hard to find quotes that go with cactus photos.

 

I am amazed at this flowering cactus, something that has made it through floods, snows, and extreme heat and cold, for over 30 years! And with no tending. That is the kind of plant I need. I can kill a plastic plant. Ummm? Eddie and Sue, can I have a pinch of your miracle plant?

 

Just because....

Sea Mark Marine

I liked the colors. 

Photographed at Sea Mark Marine in Crisfield.

Scooter Girl on Crisfield dock

Scooters in Crisfield

"... to be a child, to be a child! To have the roads and the days all stretching out forward and upward and away." ~ Gary Jennings 

What better place to be a child than in Crisfield?

American Cruise Line

American Cruise Line

Don't miss the boat! American Cruise Line ships can be seen docking at the city dock on the following dates:

Monday, June 27th          11:30 a.m.

Tues., July 19th              11:30 a.m.

Monday, July 25th           11:30 a.m

They usually arrive around 11:00 - 11:30. More coming August thru October.

Own your own oyster boat...

Model oyster boat by John Crockett

This past winter I was at the Crisfield Elks taking photos at an event and was asked to photograph this model Chesapeake Bay round stern oyster tonging boat made by Crisfielder John Crockett. He donated the boat for a raffle that is now officially underway. The boat will be given away Sunday September 4, during our annual boat docking contest, which is part of  National Hard Crab Derby weekend. You do not have to be present to win, but we hope you come out and enjoy the Labor Day weekend events. Order raffle tickets for this one of a kind boat by calling the Crisfield Elks Lodge at 410.968.3680. This is your chance to own a piece of history. Tickets are 1 for $5 or 3 for $12. 

Here are several photos for your previewing. You will notice this boat has no name. The winner gets to name the boat, and local artist Becky Lowe will do the honors of making your boat official.

Approximate dimensions as follows:

Stern to bow - 24"

Beam -  6"

Draft to rail - 3"

Draft to mast - 12"

Base to top - 14"

Oysters shells not included, but I will be happy to provide you with a few at your request.

Anyone for crabs?

Independent Crab Company - Matt Riggin

Whether you prefer dining out or enjoy doing all the work yourself, as we did this weekend, you can get the best of the bay right here in Crisfield. Nothing better than fresh steamed crabs right out of the bay.

These crabs came from our friend at the Independent Crab Company, a wholesale distributor, and they were deliciously sweet.  Restaurants and other businesses can contact Matt Riggin at 410.968.1293.

New flowers in Crisfield

Flowers in Crisfield

“Flowers leave some of their fragrance in the hand that bestows them” ~ Chinese Proverb

As you drive into Crisfield, take note of new flowers and flower pots in the center median. They are there courtesy of the Crisfield Chamber of Commerce and the City of Crisfield, and the volunteers whose hands are more fragrant for their hard work. Thank you, all.

Happy Father's Day from Crisfield, 2011

Happy Father's Day from Crisfield

Happy Father's Day!

I will admit up front that this is not a Father's Day photo. It is a birthday photo, taken last week, a photo I meant to post early in the week. Since I am just getting around to it, and since I do not feel like pouring through a ton of photos to find a suitable photo for Father's Day, I hope the smile on the face of this little birthday boy will suffice. Oh, I did not have my cameras, so pulled out my IPhone. Not exactly Nikon quality, but it captured the moment, and that is what photos are all about.

Many smiles to the father's out there, especially the ones who never want to grow up! 

New Crab and Clam Bake poster!

2011 J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake Poster. 

Pass it on and be there!

Only two hospitality tent spaces left for the J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake - as of June 17, 2011

Enjoy one of the few things to do in Crisfield.

These photos are copyrighted, like all of my photos. :)

Road Scholar program at Tawes Museum

Road Scholar at Tawes Museum in Crisfield

"Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time.” ~ Leo F. Buscaglia
 

City Councilman Kim Lawson leads a group of Road Scholars on a tour around Crisfield. The program is offered through the Tawes Museum. When planning your next vacation, keep historical Crisfield in mind. Interested in a tour? The Tawes Museum offers group tours and partners with Road Scholar. Give them a call at 410.968.2501

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Youtube Channel

Crisfield Youtube Channel

Three months ago I set up a Youtube Channel, but I had no time to post videos, which are not really videos, only slides from around Crisfield. I am learning (remember I am a still photographer), so excuse the cut-offs of the music on one of the videos. I have some awesome photos that I will be weaving into the videos over the next few weeks and months. Tune in and subscribe so you can enjoy Crisfield whenever you like.

Capt. Tyler's Crab House in Crisfield - open June 2011

Capt. Tyler's Crab House in Crisfield

Last year, I captured a photo from the water of Capt. Tyler's Crab House banner, "Opening soon." It has been almost a year since I took that photo, but I can now say that Capt. Tyler is open for business. Some things are worth waiting for. 

The restaurant is located at 923 Spruce St, Crisfield, MD, behind the Tawes Museum. Phone 410. 968.1131. I will soon be posting photos of the inside, and of course, some of those right-out-of-the-bay crabs. But don't wait. Head on down and enjoy the food while taking in the gorgeous view of the bay.

Walking the dog in Crisfield

Walking the dog in Crisfield

Whether you have a dog or not, a casual walk around Crisfield is fun for both young and old. Stop and sit a spell on the dock and watch the crab boats come in, enjoy an ice cream on those hot afternoons or fresh crabs at one of our many restaurants. Crisfield is a great place to relax.

June 14 is Flag Day

June 14 is Flag Day

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777. The June 14 date is also when Congress adopted "the American continental army" after reaching a consensus position in the Committee of the Whole. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; in August 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. ~ Source: Wikipedia

The Crisfield American Legion Post 16, will be holding  a flag burning ceremony this evening, June 14, 2011, at 6:00 p.m.

Nature

Geese in Crisfield

"We can never have enough of nature."  ~ Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854