The Volvo Ocean Race Sails into City Dock
Bands, blessings, boats and fun at the Maritime Heritage Festival and more
by Kat Bennett and Carrie Steele
Yes, you can tour the Volvo 70s and see for yourself the cutting edge in racing design and technology. Climb aboard, touch and examine over 20 boats, including Pride of Baltimore and The Virginia as well as antique sail and motorboats (on display at City Dock thru 11am Sun., May 7). See dozens of interactive exhibits celebrate life on the water, including many hands-on projects sponsored by National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and The Volvo Ocean Race. Enjoy concerts daily.
Bid to win a framed photograph of this year’s only American Volvo racer, Pirates of the Caribbean, signed by Annapolis’ own Bruce Farr, designer of six of the seven racers. Place your silent auction bids at the Annapolis Bookstore thru Fri., May 5. Final bids taken Sat. May 6 at the Ericcson stage. City Dock, Annapolis: 410-280-0445.
Thursday, May 4
Maritime Heritage Festival 3-7pm
Kick off the Maritime Heritage Festival today, and join in the celebration of waterways and maritime culture. Through Sunday, City Dock becomes a fairground as dozens of exhibits highlight those who work and play on and protect the Bay with interactive, hands-on projects. Find special events daily at this free festival, starting with Calico Jack playing at 4pm.
The easiest way to get downtown is to park at the Navy-Marine Corps 
Memorial Stadium and take a free shuttle into downtown Annapolis. The shuttle stops at the bottom of Main Street near Market House and at the top of Main Street at Church Circle. Shuttles run 9am-10pm Thurs.; 9am until one hour following the Annapolis Salutes Party on Fri.; 10am-10pm Sat.; and 9am-6pm Sun.
Greet the Volvo Ocean Racers
4:30pm–The world’s longest sailboat race comes to the sailing capital of the world as Volvo Ocean Race boats arrive in Annapolis with a spectacular Parade of Sail from Baltimore expected to reach City Dock between 4 and 4:30pm. 5pm dockside ceremony with master of ceremonies Gary Jobson and the Volvo 70 skippers.
Friday, May 5
Maritime Festival 10am-7pm
10am-3pm–Education day, with Chesapeake Bay Foundation and NOAA exhibits on environmental protection and green practices for students and passersby.
11am-noon–George Fox Middle School Ukulele Ensemble strums their seaside melodies at the Ericcson stage.
Music on the hour from noon-3pm at the Skipjack stage, including:
Noon–Neil Harpe
1pm–Them Eastport Oyster Boys
2pm–Don Shappelle
2-5pm–Ray Owen at the Ericcson stage
3pm–Inishowin
Meet Pirates of the Caribbean Crew
5-6pm–The Pirates of the Caribbean race crew meet Annapolis. Kids vie for a prize from the crew as they draw the Pirates of the Caribbean Volvo Ocean Race boat on the back of a menu. Boatyard Bar & Grill, Severn Ave. and Fourth St., Eastport: 410-336-8880.
Annapolis Salutes the Volvo Sailors
5-11pm–The Eastport Yacht Club teams with the Severn River Association to hold a bash for Volvo racers, crew and family. Local musical performers include Them Eastport Oyster Boys, The Remnants, Matt McConville, Dean Rosenthal, NonFiction, Ben’s Bones and Naked Blue. Buy tickets 8am-6pm at Fawcett Boat Supply at 110 Compromise St. and at 1811 Virginia St., Annapolis. Party at Eastport Yacht Club, $35 w/discounts; rsvp: 410-263-0415.
Saturday, May 6
Maritime Festival 10am-10pm
With music playing on the hour from noon-4pm.
Volvo Ports Optimist Regatta
9:30am–Young sailors ages 11-15 from the U.S., Holland, Brazil and Spain compete. Coordinated by the Chesapeake Ocean Race: 410-212-1879.
Skippers’ Forum
10-11am–Listen to the Volvo skippers and ask your own questions about the race. Hosted by Gary Jobson on the Ericsson stage, City Dock.
Ransom Annapolis Mayor Moyer
Deadline: 11am–Last week pirates captured Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer and demanded ransom. Loyalists are raising funds to rescue her. Alas, there are also those who would rather see her walk the plank. Scurvy dogs are collecting funds as well to bribe the pirates to send the mayor into the drink. Cast your vote —by casting your dollars into one of two boxes — to benefit the Box of Rain Foundation, which helps kids at risk learn to sail. Deliver your pieces of eight to Annapolis Bookstore, 41 Randall St., Annapolis: 410-280-1821.
The Great Annapolis Treasure Hunt
11:30am-7pm–Test your knowledge of Annapolis and Maryland history as you search the Maritime Republic of Eastport and Historic Annapolis for a hidden treasure chest. Teams compete for prizes — including a three-night adventure aboard a luxury catamaran. Get your first clue when you register. Downtown Annapolis. $88/team benefits the Box of Rain Foundation: 410-280-1821.
Contest limited to 75 teams. Galway Bay and Castle Bay have initiated a battle of the Celts. The old Eastport vs. Annapolis rivalry has found new competitions as well: Boatyard Bar & Grill is competing against McGarvey’s; Eastport newcomer Ahh Coffee goes head to head with City Dock Coffee. Winners announced at 7pm.
12:30-1:30pm–Them Eastport Oyster Boys; Jambulay Caribbean Band 2:30-4pm.
Pirates’ Den Gala
7:30-10:30pm–Spend time on the water to raise money for the new Annapolis Maritime Museum. Board the Harbor Queen for dancing to music from Wet Dog. Prizes for costumes. Food and drink on sale. Departs Annapolis City Dock. $38: 410-268-7601.
Sunday, May 7
Bay Bridge Walk
9am-1pm–Gov. Robert Ehrlich leads off the Bay Bridge Walk at 9am, weather permitting. As the Volvo boats restart at 1pm, walkers braving the 4.3-mile walk may have a bird’s eye view of the racers heading out on Leg 6 to New York City.
Walkers board shuttle buses from 8:30am to 1pm from three areas: Anne Arundel Community College (MD 2 at College Parkway); Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (US 50/301 at Rowe Blvd.) and the Chesapeake Business Park (MD 8 at MD 18 in Stevensville). Parking lots fill as early as 10am: $1 (Official 2006 Bridge Walk T-shirts $10) to benefit future walks: 877-BAYSPAN.
Prohibited: Backpacks, pets, jogging, running, bikes, portable radios, roller-skates/blades and skateboards. Strollers or small wagons to carry children are permitted; diaper bags must be see-through.
Midnight-7pm–Motorists should expect significant delays as crews set up and two-way traffic jams the westbound span.
Maryland Maritime Festival 10am-5pm
With music playing on the hour, noon-4pm on the Skipjack stage.
Volvo Ocean Race Re-Start Cruise
9am-5pm–Board the 74-foot Schooner Woodwind to watch the race boats sail past as they head out of the Chesapeake Bay. Includes continental breakfast, gourmet boxed lunch, afternoon appetizers and soft drinks. Depart from City Dock. $219; rsvp: 410-263-8994.
Blessing of the Fleet
10am–Join the race boats for the annual Blessing of the Fleet with the Rev. Mamie Althia Williams; stay to watch as the fleet positions to restart the race.
Leg 6 Begins
1pm–At the mouth of the Severn River north of Thomas Point Lighthouse, the firing gun signals the start of Leg 6 as the racers take off for New York City.
Rhyme Your Way to Treasure
11am-noon–Hear prize-winning poets and wordsmiths who entered an April Annapolis Bookstore poetry contest tell tales of their treasure. Winners of the best musings — grouped in three age categories — announced today. Annapolis City Dock: 410-280-1821.
Pirate Pet Parade
Noon–Join Capt. Billy Baye and his sidekick Hopping Tom as pirate pets dress up for prizes. Sponsored by Paws Pet Boutique. Annapolis City Dock: 410-268-7601 x104.
