St. Mary's City set to throw ‘birthday bash' for Maryland

Friday, June 19, 2009

This weekend, St. Mary's City is throwing a public "birthday bash" for the state, and, according to schedule, there won't be any political speeches.

"This is more the public celebration," said Regina Faden, executive director of the St. Mary's City Museum. "We're calling it a ‘birthday bash.' … We just hope people will come down and help us celebrate."

The fun will get started 10 a.m. Saturday at the museum with special activities including colonial-style amusements, activities, and curiosities, including an exhibit of historic documents related to Maryland's founding.

The tall ships Kalmar Nyckel and the Sultana will be open for tours, along with the Maryland Dove, a replica of one of the two ships that brought colonists from England. Ray Miles will also be exhibiting his scale models of the colonial Ark and Dove, and visitors can get a sailor's view of the festivities on a river cruise.

The ship exhibit, Faden said, "celebrates the maritime history of the state."

Those wishing to stay on dry land can learn a traditional dance or shop for colonial-style goods and food. The museum's grounds will be inhabited by wandering minstrels, face painters, (removable) tattoo artists and costumed adventurers, ladies and rapscallions.

Children of all ages can learn new skills by creating make-and-take crafts, walking on stilts and drilling with the militia. But only adults can enjoy the museum's own 1634 Ale, crafted by Brewer's Alley in Frederick, Maryland.

The sound stage will feature David Hildebrand, Calico Jack, David Norris and Ship's Company Chanteymen playing and singing songs from the 17th century and tunes influenced by Chesapeake heritage from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m.

At 7 p.m., visitors can walk to the nearby St. Mary's College of Maryland for a special River Concert and the premiere of newly commissioned narrated work "Terrae Mariae: A Creation Story" by Maryland composer Nathan Lincoln-DeCusatis. The evening will end with a magnificent fireworks display over the St. Mary's River.

"Hopefully, the weather will hold," Faden said. For a schedule of events, visit www.stmaryscity.org or call the museum at 240-895-4990 or 800-SMC-1634.

jfriess@somdnews.com