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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

For the first time this year, the Southern Maryland Heritage Festival will allow 2 nights of on-site RV camping (May 16 & 17)! Guests will be able to fully immerse themselves in the beauty of Sotterley and the festival experience.
Camping Registration costs $100 and includes 2 adult two-day tickets to the festival. To reserve your spot, please reach out to Sotterleyfest@gmail.com
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2025 Exhibitors

 

American Chestnut Land Trust

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. 

BKeith Rope Maker

Pre-revolutionary Rope Making as it was in the American Colonies. Techniques, styles, and uses of early rope making.

Briar Branch Alpaca Farm

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.

Bunky's Charter Boats

Take a moment to appreciate our beautiful waterways with a quick trip aboard a Bunky's Charter Boat. This will be a ticketed event, ticket sales coming soon!

Calvert County Quilt Guild

A small but talented group of quilters from Calvert County showing off (and selling) their stunning and intricate quilting projects.

Dick Preston Woodworking

A talented woodworker using 18th-century techniques who learned his trade through working on boats, Dick now makes everything from furniture to wooden toys.

Dixon Family Farm

Established in 1881 on the banks of the Patuxent River, this local farm grows acres of lavender, cut flowers, wildflowers, wine grapes, and more.

Chesapeake Blade and Tool

A family run blacksmithing business local to Hollywood, Maryland. They make anything from coat racks to custom blades! 

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.

Color and Light Society

This non-profit society of visual artists from Calvert, Charles and St. Mary's Counties will be bringing us an exhibit titled "Vanishing Landscapes" and will have an artist on site painting live!

Free State Ciders

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.

Guy Distributing Company

Locally owned and operated beer wholesaler in St. Mary's County for over 75 years. Guy Distributing will be providing craft beers at the festival and discussing the history of the 10oz Budweiser in Southern Maryland.

Harry Jackson Decoys

Experience a demonstration and discussion of how true American folk are is created and participate by making wood chips with a draw knife.

Historic St. Mary's City

Historic St. Mary's City is an engaging outdoor museum that brings history to life. Nestled in Maryland's first capital and spanning 800 acres along the St. Mary’s River, this site invites visitors to immerse themselves in 17th-century 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!

Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum

JPPM is 560 scenic acres along the Patuxent River in Calvert County with more than 65 identified achaeological sites and 9.000 years of documented human occupation. JPPM will be featuring the Witnesses of Wallville, a documentation of the late 19th- and early 20th-century history of the community from a once predominantly Black rural landscape to the exurban landscape it has become into the present day. 

Joseph Norris

Joseph Norris is St. Mary's County native who studied English Literature and History, focusing on contact period between Europeans and Native Americans.  During this time, he met Duncan Sings Alone, a Cherokee Indian trained in Lakota Sioux ceremony, and participated in traditional ceremony. Through this exposure, he found himself drawn to Native American storytelling.

 

Jubilee Farm Fermentations

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.

Maryland Agriculture Showcase

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.  

My Mustard Seed

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.

NAS Patuxent River - Environmental Protection

The Navy is committed to environmental stewardship and is doing its part to minimize impacts to neighboring communities and the environment, while equipping our Sailors and Marines to be successful in their mission of national defense.

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.

Overmorrow Farm

A small woman-owned lavender farm nestled right in Southern Maryland committed to regenerative agriculture practices and the sustainable stewardship of our land.

Ring Jousting

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.

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.

St. Mary's County Genealogical Society

The Genealogical Society of St. Mary’s was established in 1977 is committed to an interest in genealogical and historical research. We encourage the preservation and maintenance of genealogical and historic records.  Try out some basic research.  

St. Mary's County Historical Society

Founded in 1951, the St. Mary’s County Historical Society brings to life the stories of the people, places, and events of St. Mary’s County Maryland. Do a little research at the festival.

St. Mary's County Museum Division

Established to collect, preserve, research, and interpret the historic sites and artifacts which illustrate the natural and cultural histories of St. Mary's County and the Potomac River.

Shorething Shellfish

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!

Southern Maryland Quarter Horse Association

A non-profit organizatin that works to promote the American Quarter Horse in Maryland and provide opportunities for youth in horse related activities to help them gain life experiences and learn responsibility and leadership skills.

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.

Stuffed Ham Demonstration

Award-winning chef and restauranteur Daniel Rebarchick will be demonstrating his Southern Maryland Stuffed Ham recipe! Visitors can try it as a sample, or visit Blue Wind Gourmet on site for a Stuffed Ham Sandwich.

2025 Artisan Vendors

Baskets By the Bay

Pine needle baskets, coasts, wreaths, goat milk soap

Beachy Photography

Travel and landscape photography

Bee'z Knees Ice Cream

Gourmet Ice Cream and Ice Cream Sandwiches

BML Plasma Arc Works

Metal art with colorful patina finishes

Bull Pen Design N' Studio

Embroidered and sewn apparel and home decor

Chaos in the Park Studio

Jewelry, book binding, multi-media art, metalsmith

Compass Rose

Handsewn pine needle baskets, hand-crafted leather bracelets

Dragon's Breath Aromatics

Natural Insect Repellents

Ellen's In Stitches

Textiles like aprons, table runners, cozies, bags, etc.

Home Cooking is Better

Sourdough baked goods

IV Rivertables

Stunning river tables using live edge, locally sources hardwoods

J&M Creations

Resin and glass artwork

Jeanne Norton Hammett Serigraphs

Silkscreen printed art of local Southern Maryland views

LaliAli Arts & Crafts

Hair clips, hats, earrings, purses, whimsical crocheted items

Maple WoodCraft

Home decor and useful wood items

Mary Lou Troutman

Art prints of local landscapes and nature scenes

Mimi's Sweet Shop

Freeze Dried Candy

Nutt House Wine & Wood

Repurposed barrel products - wine racks, charcuterie boards, furniture

Occasionally Round Pottery

Handmade pottery

P & K Rocks

Jewelry and other items made with local Maryland rocks

Sarah Houde Pottery

Beautiful useful and decorative pottery

Sassy Chassis Wear

Hand painted, dyed, batik and marbled silk and bamboo scarves & accessories

Tonglen Art

Pressed flowers and elegant flower art

The Shedshop Studio

Custom rings and more made from deer antler, wood, & resin

Trebor's Creations

Quilting, table runners, fabric baskets

Wheels of Whimsy

Handmade wreaths and floral decor

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!

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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!

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Copper Pennies

This talented group of artists are ready to get you moving to your favorite classic rock beats!

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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.

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All Funked Up

The All Funked Up Experience is a four piece quartet that plays vintage 70's funk tunes with a mix of R&B, Jazz, and Psychedelic rock. Led by drummer/Vocalist Shaun Chesley, this band will definitely make you wanna get up and get down.

Food & Drink Vendors

Aunt Titty's Food Truck

Home cooking including wings, cheesesteaks, salmon burgers, fried shrimp, Gyros and Lumpia

Blue Wind Gourmet

Blue Wind Gourmet uses local ingredients, fresh herbs, thoughtfully sourced proteins, and delicious sauces. They will feature sandwiches, salads, wraps including crab cakes, and award-winning stuffed ham sandwiches.

Calvert Crabs

Handmade food using fresh ingredients sourced locally, including appetizers, sandwiches, baskets, and platters with crab, shrimp, oysters, homemade crab cakes, and more. 

Cutty's Rock N' Ribs

All your favorite barbeque classics such as ribs, brisket, and pulled pork, plus a whole pig roast on Sunday, May 18th!

Guy Distributing Company

Locally owned and operated beer wholesaler in St. Mary's County for over 75 years. Guy Distributing will be providing craft beers at the festival and discussing the history of the 10oz Budweiser in Southern Maryland.

Liquid Assets

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.

Gold Sponsors

Red Sponsors

Black Sponsors

Yellow Sponsors