If you're new to Maryland, you're probably overwhelmed with all the events taking place in October. How on earth can you possibly choose which ones to visit with your family this weekend?
There's the Fall Festival at Homestead Gardens, Patuxent River Appreciation Days, Fright Fest at Six Flags, the Harvest Festival at Anne Arundel County Farmers' Market, Westfield Annapolis Farmers' Market Fall Festival, the Renaissance Festival, the Fall Harvest Festival at Kinder Farm Park, Pluck a Pumpkin at St. Martin's Pumpkin Patch...
It's such a beautiful time of year in Maryland that it's no wonder so many events are scheduled for October. None is more uniquely "Maryland", however, than the annual in-water Sailboat and Powerboat Shows in Annapolis, in the shadow of the historic State Capitol building and the U.S. Naval Academy.
Annapolis is known as the "Sailing Capital of the World", and that's never more true than during the Sailboat Show each October when the entire harbor area is taken over by sailboats large and small. Any open space on the docks that doesn't contain a boat on a trailer will probably be occupied by a vendor selling boating gear, rigging, accessories, publications, or services.
One of the neatest things about this event is your access to the boats, actually climbing aboard them and imagining yourself sailing on the Chesapeake Bay with your family and friends.
But there's more than boats to this show. There are educational programs, as well, including BOAT BUYING 101 presented by Chesapeake Bay Magazine editor-at-large Janie Meneely, who will talk about:
- Simple strategies for finding the boat you want
- What you need to do once you find a boat
- How to register, insure and finance your new boat
- What to know before you sign on the dotted line.
This is a Buyer's Market for boats, as well as homes, so it may be your year for finally buying a boat. Larry and I found it was a good strategy to browse the show on Friday before the weekend crowds, and to return late Sunday when vendors were eager to unload some boats and items rather than take them back where they came from.
If you're unsure whether sailing or power boats are right for you, the annual power boat sale is the following week. And, if seeing the Bay from your kitchen window is more important to you than sailing on it, you can click on these links to view waterfront homes under $2,000,000 and waterfront homes over $2,000,000 that are for sale in Anne Arundel County.
Annapolis restaurants, hotels, and retailers are eager to serve all the boat show visitors, so come prepared to take it all in.
Copyright 2006-12. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: Information contained in this post is deemed reliable on the date of publication, but it is not guaranteed and it is subject to change without notice.
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Margaret Woda, REALTOR and Associate Broker
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Margaret... what a GREAT post. If there are any readers in your area who have not been to the boat show, they need to go. Kathy and I went in '03 and she said I couldn't ever go back. That I was spending money on her retirement home didn't make much difference. :)
This is a great weekend to be out and about talking to folks! Great information!
Margaret- Boat shows are the best! We have them down here too. I love going to see all the cool new things and well as those luxury boats too!
Fall is in the air! Love all of the things to do and wish I could come to Annapolis this weekend and enjoy the boats. I do get the Army Blues Ensemble right outside my door though in Belmont Bay :-)
Margaret - Maryland is a beautiful state, it actually the first state I lived when first immigrated to the U.S. back in 1985 and where my daughter was born. We spent times in Baltimore Harbor, Chesapeake Bay.
Margaret! SAIL ON!! But when I think of sailing, I think warm sunshine, beaches and Miami Beach! But I bet it would still be a blast there! Nice post!
Margaret: I love boat shows. Looks like a boat would be a "must have" in your area.
Morning Margaret,
Looks like the weather is going to be great for sailing this weekend. I so enjoy both boat and RV shows. They get new blood flowing. Fall is a good time for the shows as well as spring. You are so right when you say it is a buyers market. Floor charges are killing dealers these days.
Margaret,
I hope your weather is better than ours this morning so that everyone can enjoy the sailing. A low pressure front is stalled off our coast and we're getting heavy rain. There goes our trip to Mike's Farm that we have been looking forward to all week. :0(
Cynthia, it's beautiful here! 'Love October!
Hal, 'Wish we still had our sailboat... Now that my husbandis retired, we would have gotten much more use from it.
Donna, We're not in the market for a boat, but it's fun just to be in the boat show environment!
Thom, Not many people sail during the winter, but we have have 6-8 good months on the Bay and its tributaries!
Petra, Then you know how beautiful Annapolis is at this time of year.
Cindy, That sounds like fun, but nothing compares to the Annapollis boatshow. Annapolis is amazing at any time of the year.
Katerina, I think boat shows are always fun, but there's no city quite like Annapolis. The Annapolis boat show takes over the entire harbor, and it's known for being the largest in-water show. If you're every going to visit Maryland, there's no season more beautiful than October!
Eleanor, Thank you... we're headed out the door about 8:30...
Jesse, Did you visit the sailboat show or the power boat show when you were here. Annapolis is even more "neat" when there's a boat show or seafood festival of some kind going on at the Harbor.
I have lived in Maryland or Florida all my life, a real water baby, and have never been to a boat show...what a shame...
The sailboat show sounds like fun. I have a friend who is sailing in a regatta there in a few weeks.
Kelly, you should plan on it! Lots of fun.
Lisa, I haven't thought about sailing for years, but we used to have a sailboat (purchased at the boat show, of course) and we've been thinking about it a lot lately.
We were there for the sailboat show. Kathy would prefer a big Hatteras but sails are the only way to go. Being on the water is one of the things I truly do miss about being back east.
Okay, Jesse, I have to ask... what made you leave the East Coast for Alaska?
Margaret, I learned to sail in a rowboat with a mast and catrig at 6 years old and have been sailing until arthritis took over several years ago - I've been to the Annapolis boat show and it is probably the finest on the East Coast. I've also taught the sailing merit badge to Boy Scouts at USNA. I have never owned a fixed keel sailboat - I'm a centerboard sailor in Olympic class boats - I guess I mean I was! Please don't write sailing posts - you'll get me all wound up and excited :) Art
Good information for consumers. I did not know it is a buyers market for boats.
Art - No problem... it's been years since we've sailed, as well.
Gita - I didn't either, but it makes sense. Buyers market for homes, cars, boats and 'most anything else.