READY. SET. DOCK.

WORKBOATS, WATERMEN, FRESH SEAFOOD AND FRIENDLY COMPETITION TAKE OVER TILGHMAN ISLAND FOR A CELEBRATION ROOTED IN CHESAPEAKE TRADITION.

On Tilghman Island, working the water is a way of life passed from one generation to the next. On Saturday, Oct. 17, this heritage takes center stage during Tilghman Island Day, a celebration of the watermen, traditions and Chesapeake character that have shaped this historic island community.

Workboats race. Captains put their docking skills to the test. Crab pickers and oyster shuckers go head to head. There’s an anchor throw, rowboat competition and plenty of fresh seafood to fuel the crowd between events.

It all unfolds in a place where these skills aren’t simply demonstrations of days gone by. Generations of Tilghman Island families have made their living catching crabs, harvesting oysters and fishing on the Chesapeake Bay. Once home to dozens of skipjacks used for oyster dredging, the island remains closely tied to its working-waterfront roots.

Tilghman Island Day puts those traditions on display—with a little friendly competition thrown in.

LET THE GAMES BEGIN

Watermen skills get competitive.

Anchor’s Away. There’s no delicate toss here. The anchor throw at 11 a.m. puts strength and maritime muscle to the test.

Row, Row, Row. Trade horsepower for people power during the rowboat competition at 11:30 a.m., where it’s all about the oars.

Dock Like a Boss. It takes skill to maneuver a workboat into a tight space. It takes something more to do it against the clock with a crowd watching. The 1 p.m. workboat docking contest turns an everyday waterman skill into one of the day’s marquee competitions.

Full Throttle. Next, the action moves out on the water at 2:30 p.m. for the workboat races, where the boats built for a day’s work get a chance to show what they can do.

Pick. Shuck. Repeat. Two Chesapeake staples become spectator sports from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the crab-picking and oyster-shucking competitions. Watch experienced hands make quick work of shell and claw as competitors race for speed—and bragging rights.

Bid for a Cause. The competitions wrap, then the bidding begins. Stick around for the auction at 4:30 p.m., proceeds benefiting the Tilghman Volunteer Fire Company.

>>5979 Tilghman Island Rd., tivfc@hotmail.com, Facebook @TilghmanIslandDay