March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 51 F

OkoumeFest and in-water demos scheduled for Chesapeake Light Craft

Chesapeake Light CraftSpring is here and the water is warming up along the Chesapeake Bay. Along with it, the schedule is warming up for Chesapeake Light Craft, the boat kit experts, with the start of the annual series of monthly in-water demos in Annapolis and the popular two-day celebration of wooden small craft known as OkoumeFest.

OkoumeFest, scheduled this year for Friday-Saturday, May 16-17, begins with an open house and series of seminars – plus a convivial cookout – at the company’s factory workshop at 1805 George Avenue in Annapolis on Friday.

The highlight of the event is an all-day small boat rendezvous on the water at Matapeake State Park on Kent Island on Saturday, where festival-goers can test-drive (or paddle, sail, or row) nearly every model of canoe, kayak, paddleboard, rowboat, or sailboat in the CLC lineup – more than 50 boats in all. The event also serves as a unique rendezvous for wooden boat builders from up and down the East Coast, who bring their exquisitely crafted handiwork to show and compete for prizes.

OkoumeFest (Free! RSVP Requested: www.clcboats.com/festival):

Friday, May 16, Open House & Seminars 1-7 p.m.

Chesapeake Light Craft, 1805 George Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401

Saturday, May 17, In-Water Demos & Small Craft Rendezvous, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Matapeake State Park, Kent Island/Chesapeake Bay

OkoumeFest will once again be the launch site for the 2nd annual Watertribe OkoumeFest UltraMarathon and Challenge, a pair of expedition-style adventure races starting early Sunday morning, May 18, and covering courses of 65 or 210 miles along the eastern side of the Chesapeake Bay. All craft – kayaks, canoes, small sailboats and rowing craft, even paddleboards – must be powered by paddles, oars, or sails, and must be launched from above the high tide mark without assistance. (www,clcboats.com/watertribe)

CLC Annapolis In-Water Demos:

Chesapeake Light Craft’s series of monthly in-water demos will begin on Wednesday, April 16. Demonstrations are held at Jonas Green Park on the Severn River from 5:30 p.m. to sunset, on the third Wednesday of each month from April through October, weather permitting. The events are free, but RSVPs are requested, particularly from those interested in a specific boat model to try out.

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