Solomons, MD – Hundreds of visitors—many with small children in tow—flocked to Calvert Marine Museum (CMM) in Solomons Saturday, July 9 for one of the facility’s most popular events. On a searing hot summer day it seems it would take a huge attraction to draw a crowd. The attraction was big and it had teeth, too.
Sharkfest, a seven hour event CMM first hosted in 1994 had both the real and inflatable kinds for children to enjoy. Waiting lines were long at both the giant inflated shark sponsored by Tidewater Dental and Corbin Pavilion, where maritime docents gave visitors the skinny on various types of sharks and some of their fascinating underwater neighbors.
In addition to small sharks, three Atlantic sturgeons and several chain dog fish swam around in the tanks.
The sturgeon, as explained by handlers from NRG Energy’s Chalk Point plant, is a fish that has been around since prehistoric times. At one time the Mid-Atlantic waterways had quite a population of sturgeon. American Revolutionary War historians reported an American officer who was rowing a boat on the Potomac River had his leg broken by a 10-foot sturgeon that leaped into the vessel.
Otherwise, the average sturgeon poses no danger to humans, as they are “bottom-feeders” and do not bite humans.
Sturgeons have been known to live as long as 60 years. The NRG representative explained the three sturgeons in the tank at Sharkfest were each two years old.
The day’s other activities included the painting of a shark mural. Collections of shark’s teeth were also on display.
Food—for the people—was served and sold by American Legion Post 274 of Lusby. Rita’s also had a stand for Italian ice.
Calvert Marine Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors, military with valid I.D. and AAA members, and $4.00 for children ages 5 – 12. Children under 5 and museum members are always admitted free.
For more information visit their web site at www.calvertmarinemuseum.com
Contact Marty Madden at marty.madden@thebaynet.com
