The Urbanna Oyster Festival waterfront at the Urbanna Town Marina will showcase the area’s varied history and emphasize the conservation and restoration of the Chesapeake Bay.
Since its days as a crucial colonial port, Urbanna’s waterfront has always been an essential part of town life. In its recent past, its docks were filled with Chesapeake Bay buyboats and deadrise workboats as watermen bought and sold oysters and crabs they had harvested.
During the festival, history comes alive at the waterfront.
The shallop Explorer, a replica of the ship John Smith used to explore the Chesapeake Bay in the early 1600s, will be docked at the Urbanna Town Marina during the festival. Deltaville Maritime Museum (DMM) Special Events Coordinator Bill Powell will be on hand to talk and answer questions about DMM’s building of the Explorer.
Festival-goers are also welcome to board the tall ship Lynx, a replica of “an American privateer” sailing schooner that engaged British ships in the War of 1812 and was involved in one of the war’s largest naval battles that occurred on the Rappahannock River. The original Lynx was granted a letter-of-marque and reprisal by President James Madison. This allowed the ship to attack British vessels and seize their cargo legally. Privateers were different from pirates in that they operated with the authorization of the government, whereas pirates acted independently and outside the law.
Waterfront activities
The waterfront area of the festival provides opportunities for visitors to look at the beautiful Urbanna Town Marina and harbor, learn about the marine life of the Chesapeake Bay region, and listen to live music and enjoy refreshments. Come to the waterfront to climb aboard a historic boat, examine marine creatures in touch tanks, and taste some local seafood.
A variety of hands-on exhibits from the Yorktown Watermen’s Museum, the Fairfield Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Governor’s School, Friends of the Rappahannock, Christchurch School, and the Tidewater Soil and Water Conservation District will also be available.
