Swimmers Take to the Water Saturday in Chestertown

     Chestertown, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the “Dragonfly Heart Triathlon” is scheduled to occur in the Chester River on Saturday, July 21, 2012, from 7:15 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Approximately 300 swimmers will compete on a designated course marked with inflatable buoys located near Wilmer Park at Chestertown, Maryland. Participants will be supported by sponsor-provided watercraft. For any comments or questions contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12272.

'Maryland Swim for Life' this Saturday on the Chester River

     Chestertown, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the “21st Annual Maryland Swim for Life” is scheduled to occur on the Chester River on Saturday, July 14, 2012, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Approximately 200 swimmers will operate parallel to the shoreline on a course marked with large orange inflatable buoys located between Rolph’s Wharf and a location upriver for approximately 3 miles, before returning to Rolph’s Wharf.

     Swimmers will be supported by sponsor-provided kayaks and motorized launches. Coast Guard special local regulations establish a regulated area on the Chester River, shoreline to shoreline, bounded on the south by a line drawn at 39°10′16″ N near Chester River Channel Buoy 35 (LLN-26795) and bounded on the north at 39°12′30″ N by the Maryland SR-213 highway bridge at Chestertown, MD. This area will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on July 14, 2012. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the regulated area.

     Coast Guard vessels enforcing this regulated area can be contacted on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16 or 22A. When hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel in the area shall immediately comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both. For any comments or questions contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12272.

Tea Party Returns to Chestertown This Weekend, May 25-27

     Chestertown, Md. -- “To the River!”

     The rallying cry of the Sons of Liberty of yore rings out again as once again the gem of the Eastern Shore opens its doors and welcomes celebrants to its annual Tea Party Festival. In an era that has seen so many radical ‘tea party’ political movements, the historic pageant in the tiny hamlet stands apart as a genuine slice of Americana, whose only aspiration is to remind its community of its storied past and celebrate being good neighbors.

     In response to British Parliament’s closing of the port of Boston, the citizens of Chestertown, met in May of 1774 and set forth “Resolves” forbidding importing, selling, or consuming tea, according to local legend, residents then gathered at the town center, marched down High Street to the brigantine Geddes, and tossed her cargo of tea overboard. The Saturday reenactment of that patriotic act is the centerpiece of the celebration. Beginning in 1975 and continuing each Memorial Day Weekend since, the festival has blossomed from a small local event to a major regional draw.

     A parade down main street, a classic distance run for early risers, an amazingly creative raft race, live demonstrations of colonial life, a dramatic historic reenactment, vendors of colonial craftsmanship and local musicians and food galore are all among the reasons that crowds are regularly estimated between 5,000 – 7,000 people attending the three day event.

     Now in its 37th continuous year, recent additions include the return of Revolutionary Theatre at the Garfield Center for the Arts, featuring local playwrights, Tia Glomb and Keith Thompson. In addition to the Vineyard Village on Saturday that was such a huge success last year, this year’s Sunday Wine Tasting event will add a special section of Craft Beers for those that enjoy hops as much as wine. Cow Plop Bingo makes its second appearance at the festival after last year’s fund raiser of for the KC Community Marching Band was so enthusiastically received.

     Also returning on Friday night, following the ever popular Cocktail Party at Wilmer Park, the Chester River Chorale will present and evening of patriotic songs at the Garfield Center. KCHS PTSA takes over the Toss the Tory contest and will raise funds for student scholarships by casting a local celebrity into the Chester on Sunday afternoon. These events, as well as stalwart favorites like Public Sails on the Sultana, the 20th Annual Great Raft Race and Classic Distance Run make the Tea Party Festival and event that all can find something fun to do.

     All festival events take place along the Chester River and in the historic district of 18th-century Chestertown. There is no admission charge to the festival, but certain events do require paid tickets. For more information please refer to our website at www.chestertownteaparty.org or call us at 215-431-6671.

Chestertown Tea Party Scheduled for May 26

     Chestertown, Md. -- Mariners are advised that the annual Reenactment portion of the Chestertown Tea Party Festival is scheduled to occur along the Chester River on Saturday, May 26, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

     The key component of the event includes the movements and anchorage of the Schooner SULTANA off Chestertown, Maryland. As described in 33 CFR Section 100.501, special local regulations establish a regulated area, approximately 350 yards in length and 150 yards in width, on all waters of the Chester River, within a line connecting the following positions: latitude 39°12’27” N, longitude 076°03’46” W; thence to latitude 39°12’19” N, longitude 076°03’53” W; thence to latitude 39°12’25” N, longitude 076°03’41” W; thence to latitude 39°12’16” N, longitude 076°03’48” W; thence to the point of origin at latitude 39°12’27” N, longitude 076°03’46” W.

     This area will be enforced from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 26. Except for persons or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area. The operator of any vessel in the regulated area must stop the vessel immediately when directed to do so by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol and proceed as directed by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol. Coast Guard vessels enforcing this regulated area can be contacted on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16 or 22A.

     For any comments or questions, contact Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at (410) 576-2674 or Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. Chart 12272.