Patuxent River Appreciation Days comes to Solomons, once again, on Friday, Oct. 10 through Sunday, Oct. 12. PRAD is a festival designed to create awareness, recognize and to promote the economic, social, recreational, cultural and historical impact of the Patuxent River and its surrounding watershed.

"This is PRAD’s 30th anniversary and I am so energized about the event this year. There is no better place to get an authentic taste of Southern Maryland than at PRAD," said Sherrod Sturrock, CMM's deputy director.

  PRAD brings together community, county and state government agencies, the Calvert Marine Museum, the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and other organizations, which share a desire to preserve the Patuxent River. The event is an enjoyable celebration centered on the historic river’s past, present, and future.

PRAD’s goal is to foster renewed interest in and support of the environmental programs and tourism activities surrounding the Patuxent River and its tributaries.

 On Friday, Oct. 10, PRAD will hold its State of the River Summit from 1 to 5 p.m. in the Calvert Marine Museum auditorium. Each year, Calvert Marine Museum holds a summit which focuses on a different topic. This year, the summit, entitled "The Great Oyster Debate," centers around the Chesapeake Bay's Eastern Oyster.

 During the summit, scientists, watermen, public policymakers, aquaculturists and environmental activists will discuss the major initiatives being brought to the fore front by the Economic Impact Statement on the introduction of Asian oysters and the Governor's Oyster Advisory Commission.

"The Oyster Summit on Friday afternoon is going to be a real debate on the issues confronting the river," said Sturrock. "We have more environmental groups coming than ever – an indicator of the heightened interest in all things green. It’s a great weekend for the whole family."

 On Saturday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. there will be an arts and crafts show, food vendors, free boat rides, free admission to the museum and activities and environmental displays. PRAD visitors may also enjoy pony rides, participate in pet adoptions, enjoy face painting, learn about model boat making and more.

 Throughout the day, various musical performances are planned including: Patuxent Voices a 11 a.m., Fortunes Turn at noon, Joe Norris at 1 p.m., Deanna Dove at 2 p.m. and Jay Armsworthy and Eastern Tradition at 3 p.m.

 The gala event will also open theaters to visitors at various times during the day. There will be a show entitled "Watershed for the Chesapeake" at 10:30 a.m., "Chesapeake: The Twilight Estuary" will run at 11:30 a.m., "Chesapeake Horizons," presented by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation plays at 12:30 p.m., "Aqua Kids" shows at 1:30 p.m., "Preacher for the Patuxent" runs at 2:30 p.m. and "Common Ground" wraps up the theater shows at 3:30 p.m.

 On Sunday, Oct. 12, the arts and crafts, food vendors, boat rides, free museum admission and other activities return. There will also be more music. Sunday’s artists include: Some Assembly at 12 p.m., Calvert Brass Consortium at 1 p.m. and the Southern Maryland Concert Band at 3 p.m.

 The PRAD parade will entertain the crowd at 2 p.m. This year the parade will feature the famous Shriners and floats that are vying for prizes.

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