Hampton Bay Days

Hampton Bay Days celebrated its 28th anniversary promoting stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay this past weekend. This was our second time participating in the bay education area. We actually had two sites as the Custom House was back at the waterfront as well.

Saturday was an almost picture perfect day with low heat and few clouds. Somewhat smaller than last years booth, this year we packed our 10x10 foot space with as much as we could so folks can see the work we are accomplishing on Luna and our education programs.

One of the highlights of Bay Days is seeing old friends. Marine Life Artist Wyland with his traveling education center always draw a crowd and we are honored to be able to share a venue with these folks every year. For more information on his works and mission please visit his web site, http://www.wyland.com/

Education is the purpose of the day. Helping our sister organization Blackbeard's Crew, Adam is demonstrating how ships rigging is protected while Tom, in the background, explains the finer points of 18th century navigation.

Rhonda helps her young visitor set cotton and oakum into our sample of ships deck. This combination of material covered with tar provides a water tight seal.

Its not all work for us. Sometimes we do get to let our hair down and have some fun.

So whats a little cannon fire amongst friends? 

No visit to Hampton is complete without a bit of cannon fire. Constable Heartless and his cannon, Princess, wake some late morning sleepers.

Hey Tom, how does a pirate keep a parrot on his shoulder?
With a little poly-grip!
Tom and one of the Busch Gardens exotic animal handlers with a bird that doesn't like to be touched.

Yes, that is Grace on the inflatable pirate ship slide.

There are more pictures of Bay Days coming in of the Custom House and our members in action. I'll post them as they come in.

We're off to the Mariners Museum next Sunday. Please stop in and say hi.

The custom house in action.