Maryland Ushers in America’s 250th Birthday Celebration
First Annual Sailing the Choptank Through Ebony Eyes
October 25, 2025 11 AM to 5 PM | Long Wharf Park, Cambridge, MD 21613
Maryland is setting sail into the nation’s Semiquincentennial — America’s 250th birthday — with community celebrations that honor the state’s vibrant history and lasting contributions to our country’s story. Under the leadership of Governor Wes Moore and the Maryland 250 Commission, Maryland communities are coming together to commemorate the people, industries, and traditions that helped shape the United States.
Watch Governor Moore’s Message: See his short video introducing Maryland’s participation in this national milestone.
The mission of the Maryland 250 Commission is “to commemorate our deep and meaningful contribution to America’s past, present, and future by retracing Maryland’s illustrious history.”
As part of this initiative, Maryland 250 has provided funding for a special collaboration between Pride of Baltimore II, the state’s iconic tall ship, and the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation (BoCF) to present the First Annual “Sailing the Choptank Through Ebony Eyes” — a community festival in Cambridge, Maryland, that celebrates the state’s African American maritime legacy and the shared heritage of the Chesapeake Bay.
Honoring Vincent O. Leggett — Admiral of the Chesapeake
This year’s event honors Vincent O. Leggett, founder of the Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation and author of The Chesapeake Bay Through Ebony Eyes. Leggett spent decades documenting and celebrating the lives and labor of Black watermen, shipwrights, and stewards whose contributions built Maryland’s maritime industries and culture.
Visitors are invited to bring their Carrs Beach memories and stop by the Blacks of the Chesapeake booth to learn more about this remarkable history.
Community Celebration on the Cambridge Waterfront
Saturday, October 25, 2025 | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. | Long Wharf Park, Cambridge, MD
The Cambridge waterfront will come alive with a day of sailing, storytelling, and celebration. The event will feature:
Three Free Public Sails aboard Pride of Baltimore II
1️⃣ 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
2️⃣ 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
3️⃣ 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Walk-up tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Please check in 45 minutes before your scheduled sail.Food trucks, vendors, and exhibitors
- A shuttle to and from the Richardson Maritime Museum for tours and boatbuilding demonstrations
The celebration continues Maryland’s long maritime tradition — reminding us that the story of the Chesapeake is the story of all its people.
A Partnership for History and Community
This initiative is made possible through the leadership and collaboration of:
Pride of Baltimore II, Blacks of the Chesapeake Foundation, Harriet Tubman Tours, The Stanley Institute, Richardson Maritime Museum, Alpha Genesis Community Development Corporation, Cambridge Elks Lodge #1272, and the Maryland 250 Commission.
Together, these partners are bringing history to life — celebrating the past while inspiring the next generation of Marylanders to engage with their maritime heritage.
Join the Journey
“Sailing the Choptank Through Ebony Eyes” marks the beginning of what is envisioned as an annual community festival in Cambridge, honoring the Chesapeake’s enduring legacy through education, culture, and celebration.
Funding Provided By
