Galesville Maritime Heritage Festival
OCTOBER 3, 2026 | 11 AM - 5 PM | FREE ADMISSION
Sponsored by the Galesville Heritage SocietySpend the Day in the Waterfront Village of Galesville on Maryland’s West River
where Four Centuries of Chesapeake Bay Culture Come Alive
WHAT TO EXPECT
Narrated tours connecting commerce, recreation, and history along the West River
Local seafood, neighborhood restaurants, food trucks, and drinks
Entertainment from The Eastport Oyster Boys, Tambo, and That West River Band
Explore Galesville's rich 400-year history and Revolutionary War shipyard
Youth-friendly programing and fun for the whole family
Hear from local authors and historians
A classic and antique boat parade, traditional maritime trades, and on-water demonstrations
The Galesville Maritime Heritage Festival is partially funded by a generous donation from The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority
Festival Map
Schedule of Events
The Galesville Maritime Heritage Festival invites you to experience waterfront traditions firsthand.
Bring your family. Invite your neighbors. Spend the day along the waterfront.
DATE: Saturday, October 3, 2026
TIME: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full Festival Schedule
-
11:00 AM
👨🌾 Farmer's Market
Community Center
🖼️ Galesville Rosenwald School & Community Center Display
🍽️ Food & Beverages: Fish Fry🖼️ Model Boats & Nautical Instruments Display
Memorial Hall
🖼️ Pound Net Display
🖼️ "Buyboats to Beaches" Display
📚 New Bay Books (for Sale)
🍽️ Food & Beverages by Chef Ewa and Chesapeake Coffee Roasters📍 Festival Headquarters / Shuttle Site
Heritage Museum
🏥 First Aid / Merchandise for Sale
🖼️ Local & Maritime History Displays
🖼️ 18th Century Steward Shipyard Display w/Chesapeake Crossroads
🎶 Live Music: "Tambo" (11:00 - 1:00 PM)🖼️ Boats of All Vintage Shoreside Display
United Methodist Church
📖 Book Author Presentations
🍽️ BBQ & Beverages🖼️ Hartge Nautical Museum
Hartge Yacht Yard🍽️ Food & Beverages: Roasted Oysters, Beer, Wine, Sodas, Popcorn
West River Market🛝 Children's Activities
West River Sailing Club
🖼️ Chesapeake 20's Dockside Display with Totch Hartge
🍽️ Food & Beverage by Small Town Brews -
11:15 AM
🚶 Village Walking Tour
Heritage Museum -
11:30 AM
💬 "The Last Days of the Schooner America" with author Dave Gendell
United Methodist Church📍 Tour of a Working Boatyard (Est. 1865) with Xan Schlegel
Hartge Yacht Yard🚤 Village Boat Tour
Galesville Wharf -
12:00 PM
📻 WRNR 93.5 Live Radio Broadcast (12:00 - 2:00 PM)
Heritage Museum -
12:15 PM
🚤 Waterman's Demonstration
Galesville Wharf -
12:30 PM
💬 "Owens Yachts, Second Only to Chris Craft in the 20th Century" presented by Jeff Beard
United Methodist Church🎶 Live Music: "That West River Band" (12:30 - 1:30 PM)
West River Sailing Club -
1:00 PM
🛥️ River Boat Parade - Viewing Site (1:00 - 3:00 PM)
Galesville Wharf🛥️ River Boat Parade - Viewing Site (1:00 - 3:00 PM)
West River Sailing Club🚤 Boat Tour to Steward Shipyard
Galesville Wharf -
1:30 PM
💬 "Thomas Point Shoal Lighthouse: A Chesapeake Icon" with author Dave Gendell
United Methodist Church -
2:00 PM
🎶 Live Music: "Eastport Oyster Boys" (2:00 - 4:00 PM)
West River Sailing Club🚤 Village Boat Tour
Galesville Wharf -
2:30 PM
💬 "Deadliest Shipwreck in Chesapeake History" with author Kathy Smith
United Methodist Church -
3:00 PM
🚤 Village Boat Tour
Galesville Wharf -
3:30 PM
💬 "Women Who Work The Waters of the Chesapeake Bay" presented by Mick Blackistone
United Methodist Church🚤 Waterman's Demonstration (3:30 - 4:30 PM)
Galesville Wharf -
5:00 PM
⛔ Festival Closes
Thank You to Our Festival Sponsors
Commodore
Captains Table
First Mate
Community Partners
Make a Donation
When you choose to give, you’re helping the Society advance our mission to promote and preserve the history of the village of Galesville and its immediate environs, within its community and the general public.
