We want you to think about your perfect Chesapeake Bay spring day. Does it involve spending time by the water? Boat rides? Live music? Hanging out with good friends? Learning about and talking about boating and fishing? If you said yes to any of those things, then you simply must attend the Bay Bridge Boat Show April 14-16. And even if you have been to this show many times before, it is expected to be bigger and better than ever this year with more entertainment, activities for the whole family, an expanded fishing section, and even a special half-price Friday night ticket option. We can’t wait to see you there!

bay bridge boat show
The Bay Bridge Boat Show runs April 14-16. Photos courtesy of the Annapolis Boat Shows

Bay Bridge Boat Show Details

Show Times:

Friday, April 14: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, April 15: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, April 16: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Tickets:

General admission: $18 online, $20 at the gate (children 12 and under are free). Limited onsite box office available. Guests are encouraged to purchase their tickets online at annapolisboatshows.com.

Friday Happy Hour Ticket: $10 (ticket will only scan between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, April 14. This ticket is not valid before 4 p.m.)

Directions and Parking:

Directions: From Annapolis, head east on Route 50. After crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, take the first exit on the right for Kent Island (Exit 37), then follow the signs for Boat Show Parking. If directed to offsite parking, a shuttle bus will take you to the show. Parking costs $10 per car. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Kent Island High School swim team.

bay bridge boat show
Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online.

FAQs

Here are a few more things to keep in mind if you’re planning to attend.

  • No animals are allowed inside the show unless they are certified service animals.
  • Strollers are not allowed inside the show due to safety issues. Please park your stroller in the designated stroller parking area.
  • It is recommended that all children wear lifejackets.
  • The show is open rain or shine.
  • You do not need to print your ticket; they can be scanned from your phone.
  • If you leave the show, you will get a hand stamp and will be allowed to re-enter.

Show Highlights

  • Explore more than 250 boats from eight to 75 feet. Find a list of boats on display and exhibitors on the boat show website.
  • Onsite dining options from a variety of food trucks, as well as beer stations throughout the show and poolside bars.
  • Live music: the Dave Tieff Band Friday night (half price happy hour tickets are available Friday night from 4 to 6 p.m.) and Weird Science at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. 
  • Test drive a BMW: Guests will get the chance to test drive some of BMW’s latest models such as the X7 and X5 M Comp, as well as the fully eclectic i7 and i4.
  • Educational birds: The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center is bringing their educational birds to the Bay Bridge Boat Show. Stop on by their booth (Land 43) for a close up view of American Kestrels and learn all about your local Queen Anne’s County nature center!
bay bridge boat show
Tour more than 250 boats from 8 to 75 feet.

PropTalk Demo Dock

How often do you get to try before you buy? Taking a test drive is the perfect way to determine if a boat is right for you. Visit the PropTalk Demo Dock early to set up your appointment. At print time, these were the models expected to be available. Stay tuned for any updates on the boat show website.

  • Caymas 28 HB, North Point Yacht Sales
  • Clearwater 2200CC, All Star Marine
  • Crownline Finseeker 230CC, MD Boat Sales
  • Hurricane SD 235 with a 250 Yamaha, North Bay Marina
  • Invincible 33 Open Fisherman, Intrinsic Yacht & Ship
  • Invincible 36 Open Fisherman, Intrinsic Yacht & Ship
  • Nimbus T11, Seattle Yachts
  • Seakeeper 1 on a modified 1973 Seacraft 23, Annapolis Harbor Boat Yard
  • Stingray 231DC, All Star Marine
  • Sweeetwater 2486 SB with a 250 Suzuki, North Bay Marina
  • Seakeeper “Ride” trim tab system on a Sportsman, Riverside Marine
  • Viaggio L22U, All Star Marine

FishTalk Fishing Spot

For all you anglers out there, the FishTalk Fishing Spot will be packed with a variety of fishing-related interests from the latest fishing boats, to invasive species cooking demonstrations, hands-on activities, informative seminars, and even giveaways for the kids (while supplies last). Highlights include:

  • Step aboard the newest and most innovative fishing boats available, from center consoles to sport fishing boats, and more.
  • Build a reef ball with CCA Maryland’s Living Reef Action Campaign. Reef balls are a specially designed artificial reef unit that works great in a variety of marine and estuarine environments. They are a perfect design for creating three dimensional habitats and a great place for underwater organisms to thrive. No registration required, just visit the CCA MD booth (tent FP 4 and tent FP 5) approx. 45 minutes prior to the scheduled build and make your future mark on Chesapeake Bay habitat. Times: Friday from 12 to 6 p.m.  – Set up a reef ball mold, mix concrete, and pour. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. – “Hatch” reef balls from the molds.
  • Also at the CCA Maryland Yamaha Rightwaters booth (tent FP 4 and tent FP 5), learn how to catch and cook blue catfish and find out about important issues and opportunities facing recreational fishing in the region. And if you join CCA, you get an Under Armour hat (while supplies last).
  • At the Fish and Hunt Maryland booth (tent FP 1 and ten FP 2), get tips on the best places to find your game of choice, hook up with top charters, and find unique experiences only available in Maryland, from the waters of the Chesapeake Bay to the mountains of western Maryland.
  • Harvester.club is offering a free fishing simulator experience. Try your luck landing a sailfish, shark, salmon, or even a trout.
  • For the young anglers, FishTalk Magazine and Alltackle will be giving away free tackle boxes while supplies last.
  • The Fishmobile is equipped with 13 tanks and two touch tanks, all of which feature live animals that live in and around the Chesapeake Bay. 
  • Invasive Fish Samples: Samples of blue catfish and snakehead will be provided by the Chesapeake Culinary Center and Shore Gourmet, and other CCA Maryland partners. The final menu is still be finalized but on Saturday afternoon, there is expected to be smoked fish, smoked fish dip/pate’, and blue catfish cakes.
  • Orchard Point Oysters will join CCA Maryland on Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. as they offer their delicious fresh oysters (served on the half shell for a fee while supplies last).
  • Snakehead Tips and Baits: Stop by the Fish and Hunt Maryland Booth to connect with Butch Huber, a premier guide in the area, from Reel All-American Fishing. Make a custom bait package ($5 and includes four baits) or purchase a premium snake head lure (while supplies last).
  • Take Me Fishing is committed to spreading the joy of fishing and boating to all ages, genders, cultures. They have partnered with Fish and Hunt Maryland to provide a giveaway package to all young, future fishermen and women to help get them into fishing.

Free Fishing Seminars: Saturday, April 15

12:20 to 12:30 p.m. Invasive Species in the Bay – David Sikorski, executive director of CCA MD, will introduce the programming for the Invasive Species Sessions. Samples of blue catfish and snakehead will be provided by the Chesapeake Culinary Center and Shore Gourmet at the CCA booth during these sessions.

12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Northern Snakehead: Maryland’s New Gamefish – Steven Kambouris and Butch Huber will give their advice on how best to chase snakeheads. They will cover a brief history of the Northern Snakehead, their biology (native range, diet, recent study findings), preferred habitats, seasonal patterns, lures and techniques, and much more. Come learn their tips and tricks and join in as they take questions from the audience.

1:30 to 3 p.m. Blue Catfish: From Catch to Plate – Learn techniques to maximize the quality of your catch and how to prepare it for the table. Andrew Tsui, the founder of the Ike Jime Federation, will demonstrate his approach to ensuring that any seafood is of the highest quality when it makes it to your plate. Andrew will do a live demonstration on the steps he defines as a “considered kill,” then share his approach to butchering a fish for the kitchen. Following Andrew’s presentation, Chef David Murray from the Chesapeake Culinary Center will share his approach to blue catfish in ways that you can replicate at home, including culinary tips and how-to’s that anyone can follow.

3 to 3:30 p.m. Invasive Species Panel Discussion – David Sikorski will lead a discussion amongst our snakehead and blue catfish seminar participants, with Q&A from the audience.

Educational Opportunities:

BoatUS On-Water Training: April 14-16. Available courses include: Intro to Boating, Women Making Waves, Precision Docking and Boat Handling, and Open Water and Boat Handling. Class size is limited to three to four students per course (ages 18 and up). Courses last three hours. Admission into the boat show is included. Course cost: $175. Click to the BoatUS Foundation website to register.

Cruisers University: April 27-30 at The Historic Inns of Annapolis. More than 50 classes are available for sailors and power boaters alike who have an interest in learning the fundamentals of blue water cruising.

Free, Daily Seminars: Presented each day of the show; free for all attendees to enjoy. 

Friday, April 14:

  • Get Your Captain's License - 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., Annapolis School of Seamanship
  • Docking De-Stressed - 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Annapolis School of Seamanship
  • Electronic Navigation - 12:30 to 1:15 p.m., Annapolis School of Seamanship
  • Dock and Dine - 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., Chesapeake Bay Magazine
  • Ask Lenny! Join Lenny Rudow from FishTalk Magazine as he takes questions form the audience and breaks down some of the boats and exhibitors at the show. - 2:30 to 3:15 p.m.

Saturday, April 15:

  • Docking De-Stressed - 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., Annapolis School of Seamanship
  • Dock and Dine - 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Chesapeake Bay Magazine
  • Invasive Species in the Bay Introduction - 12:20 to 12:30 p.m.
  • Northern Snakehead, Maryland's New Gamefish - 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
  • Blue Catfish Seminar - 1:30 to 3 p.m.
  • Blue Catfish Panel Discussion - 3 to 3:30 p.m.

Sunday, April 16

  • Electronic Navigation - 10: 30 to 11:15 a.m., Annapolis School of Seamanship
  • Docking De-Stressed - 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Annapolis School of Seamanship
  • Get Your Captain's License - 12:30 to 1:15 p.m., Annapolis School of Seamanship
  • Dock and Dine - 1:30 to 2:15 p.m., Chesapeake Bay Magazine
bay bridge boat show
Apart from boats, you'll also find boating gear and accessories, as well as service vendors. 

We Hope to See You There!

Team PropTalk and FishTalk will be at tent space F44. Stop by our booth to say hello and grab the latest issues of our publications.

For more information, exhibitor lists, and to purchase tickets or register for an educational seminar, visit annapolisboatshows.com


And don't miss our See the Bay on Queen Anne's County! While you're in town for the boat show, be sure to stay awhile and explore.