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Big Little Boat Festival 2022

Location: Camp Wabanna - Edgewater, Maryland
Dates: Friday, May 27, 2022 - Sunday, May 29, 2022

Jump to: Schedule / Activities / Camping / Food / Launching / Boat list / Registration

Friday-Sunday, May 27-29, 2022

Join us for a full-on weekend waterfront celebration of small boat culture that will:

Introduce the joys of small boats -- especially homebuilt wooden ones -- to everyone
Help paddlers, rowers, and sailors of all skill levels expand their abilities
Highlight the broad spectrum of small boat designs and construction methods
Foster camaraderie among bayfaring enthusiasts
Showcase the Chesapeake Bay's history, culture, and art
... and MORE!

Plan to spend Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend with us at the beautiful Camp Wabanna campus just south of Annapolis. Centered at the intersection of the Rhode and West Rivers, there will be plenty of space to launch boats, exciting new seminars, live music, interactive boatbuilding, kids' activities, a mini-lecture series, river racing for paddlers, and a distance expedition race. There's also ample room for camping in tents and campers and even on-site lodging available. Get more details below.

ON LAND	ON WATER

Best in Show Competition	CLC Boat Demos
Skill Seminars & Demos (fiberglassing, sailboat rigging, etc.)	Rowing/Paddling/Sailing Instruction
Family Cardboard Boat Building & Race	'Deale or No Deal' Distance Race
Camping & Lodging	3- & 6-Mile Paddle Races
Food Trucks & Refreshments	Scavenger Hunt
Music & Storytelling
Fire Pit Socials	Boat Launching Facilities

REGISTER HERE

Useful Things to Know:

We're glad you'll be joining us this weekend, and looking forward to a great time! Below you'll find information about locations, schedules, food & drink options onsite, boat launching, and more.

WALK-INS WELCOME!

Or save time at the check-in desk, save paper, and get down to the beach to play with the boats sooner by completing your RSVP & Waiver in advance!

Where is the Big Little Boat Festival?

The Big Little Boat Festival will take place on the waterfront at Camp Wabanna, 101 Likes Rd., Edgewater, MD 21037. CLC staff will be at the gate to direct you once you arrive! This is an Alcohol-Free event. Sorry, pets are not permitted at Camp Wabanna.

Parking is extremely limited on site. Those who are bringing boats, racing, and/or camping will receive priority. Saturday overflow parking will be available within a short drive; shuttle van service will be operating.

Weekend Schedule:

Friday, May 27

10:00am - 5:00pm On-Water Scavenger Hunt
10:00am - 4:30pm On-Water Demos
11:00am - 3:30pm Technical Seminars
- 11:00am - 12:30pm: Bill Griffin, Application & Chemistry of Finishing Products
- 12:30 - 2:00pm: Aaron Freeman / New England Ropes, Cordage & Splicing
- 2:00 - 3:30pm: John C. Harris, Small Boat Rigging
3:00 – 5:00pm Camping Check-In / Racer Check-In / 20-mile Gear Check
5:15pm Scavenger Hunt Awards
7:00pm – Until "Fish Stories" Post-Race Social

Saturday, May 28

10:00am - 5:00pm On-Water Scavenger Hunt
10:00am - 4:30pm On-Water Demos
10:30am - 3:00pm Technical Seminars
- 11:00am - 12:30pm: Andrew Schroeher, The Tools of Boatbuilding
- 12:30 - 2:00pm: Nick Schade, The Evolution of Kayak Design
- 2:00 - 3:30pm: Joey Schott: Composites Fabrication
10:30am - 2:30pm Family Cardboard Boat Building
- 2:30pm Cardboard Boat Race Start
1:00 - 3:00pm On Water Instruction
- 12:00 - 1:00pm: Joey Schott, Quick Start / Turning Safety / Correct Technique / Wet Exit
- 2:30 - 3:30pm: Nick Schade, "Figuring Out the Forward Stroke"
3:00 - 4:30pm Best in Show Review
5:00pm Best in Show, Scavenger Hunt, and 20-Mile Race Awards
7:00pm – Until "Fish Stories" Post-Race Social

Saturday Race Schedule

DOWNLOAD RACING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ALL RACES HERE

7:00 – 8:00am All Racers (3-, 6- & 20-Mile) Check-In / Gear Check
7:30am CheSUPeake Race Racer Meeting
8:00am CheSUPeake points race presented by Chesapeake Light Craft
- Register on PaddleGuru
- Entry Fee includes Saturday Festival Pass
8:00am Deale or No Deal Race - Skipper's Meeting
9:00am Deale or No Deal Race - Start
- Unsupported Race, 20 Miles
- Any craft 25' and smaller
- Entry Fee includes Weekend Festival Pass
- Register for the 20-Mile Race on this page
- Don't forget to fill out the Waiver
10:00am 3- & 6-Mile Race Awards
5:00pm 20-Mile Race Awards, Best in Show Awards

Sunday, May 29

10:00am - 1:00pm On-Water Instruction
- 11:00 a.m. - 12:00pm: Joey Schott, Quick Start / Turning Safety / Correct Technique / Wet Exit
1:00pm Festival Closes

If you are racing, please be sure to bring all the required safety gear, water bottle, sunblock, PFD, etc. Racing instructions will be posted in May.

What to Bring:

Bring your PFDs and paddles if you've got 'em, sunscreen and hat, and, of course, your boat(s).

Bring a water bottle! This is a kids’ summer camp and they have water bottle fill stations for all to use.

What Else is Going On?

Family Fun including Games, Live Music, more
- The Wandering Bard One-Man Band, Friday
- Singer-songwriter Nate Finn, Saturday
Festival Scuttlebutt at the Old Stein Inn, Friday & Saturday, 7:00pm until ...
Camp Songs & Tall Tales with Jeff Holland, Friday & Saturday, 7:00pm until ...

Camping & Lodging Available:

Stay overnight in your own tent or small camper! Full shower and bathroom facilities are on hand, along with other amenities. There also is space in the dormitory (rooms with 1 to 3 beds each, shared bath).

Reservations required for all lodging options.
Reservations deadline - 1 pm Monday, May 23rd.
25 Camping Spots (tent & small campers only) FULL, Sorry. Contact us for wait list possibilities
Camping Fees - one night $35, both nights $50. Reserve your campsite online, or contact us to reserve your spot.
16 Dormitory rooms (1 to 3 beds) with shared bathing facilities.
Room reservation by phone or email only - Contact Brian@clcboats.com

Camping Rules:

BLBF Camping

Campsites are assigned upon check in. Full access to bathrooms, docks and beach area are available to campers. There will be a community firepit for all to enjoy Friday and Saturday evening. Pets, alcohol, and campsite camp fires are prohibited. 10am Sunday checkout time.

Meals, Snacks & Refreshments:

There will be a nice selection of food and drink available on-site all three days, including food trucks and a concession stand.

Food Trucks - We have food trucks for breakfast and lunch on Friday and Saturday.

Friday 8:00am - 12noon: Stony Man Coffee & Eats
Friday 11:00am - 3:00pm: Moonlight Basin BBQ
Saturday 9:00am - 12noon: Stony Man Coffee & Eats
Saturday 12:00noon - 3:00pm: AZTK Food Truck

CLC Snacks / Concession Stand -- Quick snacks and drinks will be available at the CLC concession stand all 3 days.

If you are looking for a sit-down dinner option and a tasty beer, visit our friends at The Old Stein Inn. They open at 4 pm and are located just a few miles away at 1143 Central Ave., Edgewater, MD 21037. 410-798-6807

Boat Launching Facilities:

Camp Wabanna has a large sandy beach, great for launching lightweight boats like kayaks, rowing boats, and dinghies. Larger boats that require a boat ramp will need to use one of the local ramp options below. Trailer storage will be available at Camp Wabanna.

The marina traffic is bound to be busy, so plan to arrive at the ramp early! Hideaway Marina is a small facility but the closest to the camp, next would be Casa Rio, then Holiday Hill. We suggest checking in with them in advance of your arrival for fees and hours of business.

Hideaway Marina (formally Cadle Creek Marina)
410-798-1915, Hideawaymarina.net
4159 Cadle Creek Rd. Edgewater, MD

Casa Rio Marina
410-798-4731, Casariomarina.com
4079 Cadle Creek Rd, Edgewater, MD

Holiday Hill Marina
443-871-3909
3922 Calawasse Rd, Edgewater, MD