May
Wednesday Night Sailboat Races
Wednesday evenings April 30 through August 20
Annapolis Harbor
First Gun: 6:10 p.m.
www.annapolisyc.com
410-263-9279
Grab your favorite dockside seat in America’s Sailing Capital to watch midweek races where some 150 boats sail around several marks in the Bay before heading back to Spa Creek for a finish in front of the Annapolis Yacht Club. For many, the post-race party is the official beginning of the weekend.
May Day Thursday, May 1
Downtown Annapolis
Considered to be one of the most beautiful days in Downtown Annapolis, May Day greets visitors and area residents with door after door of baskets filled with beautiful spring flowers. Come with camera in hand to capture the handiwork of Downtown Annapolis residents and merchants who welcome spring by decorating their doorways with baskets of blooming flowers. Some 20 volunteers from the Garden Club of Old Annapolis Towne judge the entries and invite winners to join them at an annual Garden Club Tea.
Historic London Town and Gardens Spring Plant Sale
Friday-Saturday, May 2-3
8:00 a.m. to Noon
Historic London Town and Gardens, 839 Londontown Road, Edgewater
www.historiclondontown.org
410-222-1919
Purchase annuals, perennials, trees, shrubs, shade plants, heirloom vegetables and kitchen garden specialties during this annual event. Master gardeners will be on hand to assist with plant selections.
Annapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Season Finale: Nakamatsu Plays Rachmaninoff
Friday and Saturday, May 2-3
8:00 p.m.
Maryland Hall, 801 Chase Street, Annapolis
www.annapolissymphony.org
410-269-1132
World-renowned pianist Jon Nakamatsu joins the Annapolis Symphony for a bombastic season finale with Sergei Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor. This final concert also features Guridi’s Diez Melodias Vascas and Maurince Ravel’s La Valse.
Day Out with Thomas the Tank Engine
Friday, May 2, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 3, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 4, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Admission: $14 to $19
B&O Railroad Museum, 901 West Pratt St., Baltimore
www.borail.org
410-752-2490
Take a 25-minute train ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine; meet Sir Topham Hatt; and enjoy a full day of live entertainment, activities and family fun!
Naptown barBAYq
Saturday, May 3, 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 4, Noon to 6:00 p.m.
Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, Annapolis
www.barbayq.com
Enjoy live music, abundant food, and a barbeque competition during the fun family event to benefit Anne Arundel Medical Center’s Pediatric Unit and the Boys and Girls Clubs. Sponsored by the Parole Rotary Club, the celebration includes live music on two stages, activities for all ages, arts and crafts vendors and cooking demonstrations.
First Sunday Arts Festival
Sunday, May 4 (and every first Sunday through October 5)
Noon to 5:00 p.m.
First blocks of West and Calvert Streets, Annapolis
Admission: Free
www.firstsundayarts.com
410-741-3267
Enjoy live entertainment as you stroll along the first block of West Street and Calvert Street next to Whitemore parking garage and peruse the work of 100 local and regional artists. Local restaurants set up outside cafes that are perfect for people watching and an afternoon bite to eat. Free parking for the family-friendly event is available at the state parking garage on the corner of Calvert and Bladen Streets.
West Annapolis Cinco de Mayo Festival
Sunday, May 4
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Annapolis Street, West Annapolis
Admission: Free
www.westannapolisbusiness.org
410-956-7278
Celebrate the Mexican holiday with local vendors, Mexican food, margaritas, and authentic Mexican beer. This annual festival is located on Annapolis Street between Giddings Avenue and Taylor Avenue in West Annapolis.
William Paca Garden Plant Sale
Saturday, May 10, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 pm
Sunday, May 11, Noon to 4:00 p.m.
William Paca Garden, 3 Martin Street, Annapolis
Admission: Free
www.annapolis.org
410-626-1033
Take a piece of the historic William Paca Garden home with you. Choose from among hundreds of new and heirloom variety perennials, annuals, woody plants and vines lovingly raised by Paca Garden volunteers. Paca Garden staff and volunteers are on hand to help you select the right plant for every corner of your garden. Treat your mom to this perfect Mother’s Day outing! The garden gates open for Historic Annapolis members at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. Gates open to the general public at 10:00 a.m.
MRE’s 14th Annual .05K Bridge Run
Saturday, May 10
Crack o’ Noon
Spa Creek Bridge, Eastport
Admission: $20 for runners; free for spectators
www.themre.org
Described as “the least challenging athletic event ever conceived” by Runner’s World magazine, the .05K extreme sports event is a grueling test of mental and physical toughness. Some competitors have taken as long as five minutes to complete the course that begins on the Annapolis side of the Spa Creek Bridge. Registration begins at 11:00 a.m. in the parking lot of Fleet Feet at 318 6th Street in Eastport. The awards ceremony and trophy presentation will take place around 12:10 p.m. Proceeds benefit local charitable organizations.
USNA Commissioning Week
Monday, May 19 through Friday, May 23
U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis
www.usna.edu
Each year, approximately 1,000 midshipmen graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy and receive their commissions as officers in the U.S. Navy or Marine Corps. On Monday, cheer on members of the class of 2017 as they attempt to climb the Herndon Monument. Traditionally, the Blue Angels’ flight rehearsal is on Tuesday and the Blue Angels’ flight demonstration is on Wednesday. On Thursday, catch the Color Parade at Worden field. For more information, visit the USNA website.
Brew at the Zoo
Saturday and Sunday, May 24-25
1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Tickets required
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Druid Hill Park, Baltimore
www.marylandzoo.org
443-552-5275
Raise your glass and celebrate Brew at the Zoo and Wine, Too! The Maryland Zoo’s largest fundraiser of the year combines food and beverages with live music and fun. Your ticket entitles you to unlimited beer and wine samplings, a commemorative tasting glass, live bands, access to food and artisan vendors and admission to the Zoo. VIP packages are available.
Annapolis Greek Festival
Thursday through Sunday, May 29-June 1
4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Thursday; 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Friday & Saturday; 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Free
Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 2747 Riva Road, Annapolis
www.annapolisgreekfestival.org
410-573-2072
Capture a taste of Athens right here in Annapolis when you join in the fun at this annual family-friendly event. Enjoy Greek dance performances, sample Greek cuisine, savor Greek music, tour the beautiful Greek Orthodox Church and more.
