By Kathi Ferguson
It doesn’t get much better than spending a beautiful Saturday on an island.
There was something for everyone at this year’s Tilghman Island Day as families, friends, neighbors and their pets enjoyed a sample of all that Tilghman has to offer. Front lawns were dotted with vendors selling anything from homemade baked goods, to jewelry, arts, and crafts, while music by Bird Dog & the Road Kings rocked Main Street’s Kronsberg Park.
The Boat-backing contest is a crowd pleaser. Spy Photo by Leah Lednum
Crowds enjoyed an abundance of seafood from which to choose including steamed crabs, raw oysters, oyster stew, crab cakes, fried clams and soft-crab sandwiches. There were net-making demonstrations, games for the kids, and an opportunity to watch charter fishing boats unload their day’s catch.
Always a favorite, the boat-docking contest did not disappoint. The crowd cheered as boats were skillfully maneuvered stern-first into a slip with the captain throwing a line around the piling in less than 30 seconds. It was easy to spot the “season-ticket holders,” pickups had claimed their space early in the day to grab the best view, making it look like a Dogwood Harbor tailgating event.
The workboat races seemed to claim another loyal following. The 210, 300, 400 and 550 plus horsepower diesel boats “make a lot of wake” as they compete for first in their class. Giving it all they had, each boat cut through the Choptank towards the finish as viewers watched from the end of Wharf Road. After the race, the beautiful skipjack Rebecca Ruark was spotted taking a group out for a cruise.
There was also some stiff competition later in the day at the crab-picking contest. In front of a cheering crowd, the winning contestant picked an impressive 96 grams of crabmeat in the allotted amount of time. Oyster shucking soon followed and contestants had just over three minutes to shuck as many oysters as possible. A live auction at the Firehouse rounded out the day.
“I bring my family here every year”, one Easton resident said, “We wouldn’t miss it for the world.” From the sound of it, Tilghman Island Day was, once again, a huge success.
All proceeds from Tilghman Island Day benefit the Tilghman Volunteer Fire Company.
Spy Photos by Leah Lednum and Kathi Ferguson
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