| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2026
Maritime Crossroads Event Draws Standing-Room-Only Crowd for World Premiere of “Voices of the Skipjack”
CROWNSVILLE, MD — A standing-room-only crowd of 94 attendees gathered on March 23, 2026, at the Anne Arundel County Nonprofit Center for Maritime Crossroads: Experience Your Chesapeake in 2026, an evening celebrating the heritage, culture, and future of the Chesapeake Bay.
The highlight of the event was the world premiere of “Voices of the Skipjack”, a documentary presented by Skipjack Heritage Inc.. The film offers a rare and personal look at Maryland’s State Boat through the voices and experiences of the oystermen who continue to work the Bay today. The documentary is now available free of charge to any organizationfor educational or community use by contacting SkipjackHeritageDays@gmail.com.
The event brought together more than eighteen maritime, environmental, and cultural organizations, offering attendees a comprehensive look at how to experience the Chesapeake Bay in 2026—from lighthouse tours and skipjack sails to kayaking excursions and volunteer opportunities supporting conservation and preservation efforts.
Participating and co-sponsoring organizations included Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse / U.S. Lighthouse Society, Annapolis Maritime Museum, Galesville Heritage Society, National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways, Watermark Tours, Schooner Woodwind, SpinSheet Publishing Company, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, Captain Avery Museum, Pride of Baltimore Inc., Seafarers Yacht Club, Maryland Seafood Festival, Preservation Maryland, Skipjack Heritage Inc., Box of Rain, Annapolis Boat Shows, and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, among others.
The evening began with a networking session connecting attendees directly with maritime partners, followed by presentations outlining upcoming 2026 programs and opportunities. Jane Cox opened the program, inviting organizations to share their initiatives. Gwen Mayes of Annapolis Maritime Museum, provided an overview of skipjack history and heritage, leading into the documentary premiere.
The program concluded with a preview of the Triple Crown of Skipjack Racing and an update on the second annual Skipjack Heritage Days at Sandy Point, presented by Jenifer Smith of Skipjack Heritage, Inc., with remarks from the organizers of the MD Seafood Festival.
This event was supported in part by the Maritime Heritage Grant Program, administered by Preservation Maryland in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Additional sponsorship was provided by the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority and Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area.
For a sneak peek of the documentary, Voices of the Skipjack Trailer
For more information about upcoming Chesapeake Bay experiences and events, visit: https://marylandday.org/events/at-the-maritime-crossroads-experience-your-chesapeake-in-2026/
Media Contact:
Skipjack Heritage Inc.
Email: SkipjackHeritageDays@gmail.com |
