Visiting Deal IslandA true waterman's town, Deal Island seems like a place time time forgot. The 3 mile long island is located in Maryland's Somerset County on Tangier Sound. The island is accessible via a bridge from the mainland. The island has three communities, Deal Island, Chance, and Wenona. You get to Deal Island by taking Maryland Route 363 off Route 13 at Princess Anne and heading west. for about 15 miles. Visitors will see watermen unloading the day's catch, an oyster hatchery, and crab pickers at Deal Island Harbor on the northern tip of the island, just after crossing the Deal Island bridge. A public beach is also located in this area. 
Each Labor Day weekend for the last 40 plus years, this island community has hosted the annual Deal Island Skipjack races. In addition to the skipjack races, this two day festival includes a crab skiff race, fishing contest, swimming contest, boat docking contest, a parade, amusement rides, arts and crafts booths, and food. The festival takes place at Deal Island Harbor. Bring a lawn chair and watch the race from the beach. The race takes place a ways off shore, so bring to binoculars to see the action. You can also launch kayaks from the sandy beach and paddle out for a closer view of the race. The small harbor in Wenona is the home to several of the last remaining skipjacks on the Chesapeake Bay. These sailing ships still dredge for oysters in the winter. At the turn of the century, over 1,000 skipjacks worked the water. Now, only about 20 remain. The Deal Island Wildlife Management Area is located on the mainland on the way out to Deal Island. This wildlife management area attracts many waterfowl, including many unusual varieties of ducks. Deal Island Events May 27, 2012. Deal Island Hardhead Festival. Held at 11528 Long Point Road in Dames Quarter. Live music, 50/50 raffle, cake wheel, arts and crafts, and food available for purchase. Admission $5, kids 11 and under are free. Bring your own lawn chairs and coolers. All proceeds benefit the restoration of the Skipjack Kathryn. 2:00 - 7:00pm Labor Day Weekend -- Deal Island Skipjack Races and Land Festival. See historic skipjacks race. Deal Island, MD. More Information.
Deal Island Links
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