Northport will celebrate its maritime heritage Saturday with a variety of activities, from a blessing of the fleet to a seafood chowder contest.
Events start at 10 a.m. at the Northport Village Park and dock and run until 2 p.m. The US Coast Guard Auxiliary coordinates the event with the Village of Northport and the Northport Chamber of Commerce.
“This is truly a community celebration of Northport’s maritime past, present and future,” said Bill Raisch, flotilla commander of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. “We are and have always been a village with a close connection to the sea.”
The day will include a wide variety of activities for all ages in the Village Park as well as a boat parade and vessels on display at the Village Dock with nautical music throughout. A seafood chowder contest, maritime boat-building history exhibits, marine life touch tanks, seamanship skill demonstrations and the latest on nautical happenings in the area. More than 100 vessels are expected for the boat parade and blessing.
Several restaurants will compete in the chowder contest, while three local breweries will vie for best maritimes brew honors.
Kids can learn knot-tying skills, while all are welcome to try the marine life touch tank, see a demosntration of seamanship skills, and learn about shellfish restoration and oyster gardening.
For more information, visit www.MaritimeDay.Net