OH BUOY! Immerse yourself in the Chesapeake's history and nautical trades with local watermen at the Maryland Maritime Heritage Festival in Annapolis (April 30-May 1). Visitors can also board in-water contemporary and historic boats; those without sea legs can bop along to shanties on the Severn River played by the Eastport Oyster Boys Big Band, Calico Jack, Ship's Company and others. New for 2005: Captains go head-to-head in a watery parallel parking contest (i.e., boat docking), and high school sailors try their skills at an interscholastic 420s regatta.
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Free. About 30 minutes from the Beltway in Annapolis. 410-266-3960, www.mdmaritimefestival.org.
-- Anne McDonough
