May 17 & 18, 2025
11:00 am - 5:00 pm
The Southern Maryland Heritage Festival returns for its 2nd year, celebrating local food, culture, and history over two days. The festival offers opportunities to explore regional heritage through food sampling, artisanal shopping, historical exhibits, and diverse musical performances, with family-friendly activities including a dedicated kids' area.
This page is being updated constantly as we get new information and bring on new exhibits, vendors, and more. Check back frequently for the latest updates!
Ticket Pricing
Two-Day Entrance (Adults): $18 in advance, $25 at the gate
One Day Entrance (Adults): $10 in advance, $15 at the gate
Children 12 & Under: FREE
Boondocking at Southern Maryland Heritage Festival
2025 Exhibitors
ACLT is dedicated to protecting, caring for and sharing land within the Parkers Creek and Governor's Run watersheds to preserve natural and cultural places for the benefit of this and future generations.
Bee Keeping Demos
Bee Keeper Grant Newman will be talking about the mechanics and importance of bee keeping and giving hive box demos.
Ever seen an alpaca up close? You can now! This Clements-based farm will be bringing one of their treasured alpacas to greet guests and showing off some of the products they make with the wool.
Take a moment to appreciate our beautiful waterways with a quick trip aboard a Bunky's Charter Boat.
Chesapeake Heritage and Paleontology Tours
These National Parks Service and Maryland Department of Tourism Certified Chesapeake Bay Storytellers are bringing the fossils directly to you to show off the history of biodiversity in our home watershed.
Small local winery specializing in hard apple ciders made by pressing apples into juice. Check out how apples were pressed historically with their demonstration.
Goodnight Quilt
Examine this historic quilt that won first place in the St. Mary's County Fair around 1916! The Goodnight Quilt is a "Crazy Quilt" created by at least 8 different women in a Chaptico Friendship Quilting Group.
Harry Jackson Decoys
Experience how true American folk art is made by participating in bringing a piece to life.
Historic Sotterley Garden Guild
Historic Sotterley's Colonial Revival Garden is kept beautiful year-round by a dedicated group of gardeners who care as much about its history as the plants that grow in it. Learn about the garden directly from its caretakers!
With a focus on fresh, sessionable farmhouse ales, this local brewery is influenced by historic methods and the significant contribution neighborhood farm breweries offer to a thriving, rural community.
Loaded with colorful displays and interactive exhibits that highlight Maryland’s many commodities, the Maryland Agriculture Showcase attracts and informs visitors about the importance of Maryland agriculture in their lives.
This Calvert-based farm is spreading the word about the benefits of microgreens! Learn how you can pack more nutrients into your diet while supporting local agriculture.
The Maryland State Sport! Ring jousting -- a test of skill and horsemanship where riders pass through a series of arches, attempting to spear three dangling rings and present them to the judges. Both Professional and Amateur rides will be at the Heritage Festival.
North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association
This non-profit not only champions the versatile hunting dog breeds that are a part of both North American history and modern hunting - they aid in game conservation and prevention of animal cruelty. NAVHDA will be providing demos and answering questions about these hunter-dog teams.
St. Maries Citty Militia
Colonial Maryland "armed band" re-enactors. The unit is organized as a typical English militia unit of the 1630s and 40s , armed with musket and pike and marching to the drum and commands of nearly 400 years past.
Oysters have long been an important part of Southern Maryland's economy, and this local oyster farm will be with us to talk about the importance of farming and how it's improved the sustainability of the industry.
Southern Maryland Antique Power Association
The association will be featuring up to 100 antique tractors pulling various loads, showing off our agricultural heritage and history and how impressive these machines are.
Southern Maryland Audubon Society
Our local chapter of the Audubon Society is an all-volunteer organization that works on education, outreach, and advocacy to support birds locally and nationally. They'll be with us to talk about our important feathered friends!
Southern Maryland Traditional Music and Dance
This upbeat group preserves and promotes the appreciation and performance of traditional and contemporary folk music and dance. They'll be leading attendees in contra dances with a live band!
Suttler Post Farms Clydesdales
Suttler Post Farm is home to Southern Maryland's only six horse hitch of Clydesdales and home to 8 Clydesdales geldings. These beautiful horses will be at the Heritage Festival and just waiting to pose for your photos!
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
Check out the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail's Mobile Visitor Center to learn more about this 560-mile land and water route that tells the story of the War of 1812.
2025 Artisan Vendors
Travel and landscape photography
Metal art with colorful patina finishes
Embroidered and sewn apparel and home decor
Jewelry, book binding, multi-media art, metalsmith
Compass Rose
Handsewn pine needle baskets, hand-crafted leather bracelets
Dad and Daughter Woodwork
Handcraft American flags made from 100 year old barn wood
Earth-inspired pottery
Textiles like aprons, table runners, cozies, bags, etc.
J&M Creations
Resin and glass artwork
Jeanne Norton Hammett Serigraphs
Silkscreen printed art of local Southern Maryland views
Hair clips, hats, earrings, purses, whimsical crocheted items
Home decor and useful wood items
Marisa Mansueti Paintings
Local landscapes, still life oil paintings
Repurposed barrel products - wine racks, charcuterie boards, furniture
Occasionally Round Pottery
Handmade pottery
Jewelry and other items made with local Maryland rocks
Beautiful useful and decorative pottery
Hand painted, dyed, batik and marbled silk and bamboo scarves & accessories
Pressed flowers and elegant flower art
Custom rings and more made from deer antler, wood, & resin
Live Music
Our lineup of bands is in development and a full schedule of performances will be available closer to the event. Be sure to check back for updates!
HyraFX
These local stars perform a mix of cover, tribute, and original music, utilizing a unique blend of rock and reggae. Their brand new album, "Here & Now", is available on Spotify now!
Copper Pennies
This talented group of artists are ready to get you moving to your favorite classic rock beats!
MainStreet Band
A lovingly crafted tribute band to Bob Segar and the Silver Bullet Band, MainStreet Band will pay respect to one of the greats with a setlist of jams.
Food & Drink Vendors
Home cooking including wings, cheesesteaks, salmon burgers, fried shrimp, Gyros and Lumpia
Explore 13 craft beverage producers in St. Mary's County, offering something for every taste from breweries, to coffee roasters, distilleries, juice bars, and wineries. Featured at the Heritage event will be: Xella Winery and Vineyard, Port of Leonardtown Winery, Julie Farm Fermentations Brewery, Real Food Juice Bar, Tobacco Barn Distillery, Southern Trail Distillery
Event Sponsors
We are actively seeking additional sponsors for the 2025 Southern Maryland Heritage Festival! If you're interested in being a part of this incredible event that celebrates our region's unique history and culture, please reach out to sotterleyfest@gmail.com. A sample of our sponsorship form is linked below.