Annapolis Boat Show Weekend

Today, tomorrow, and the next day it would be wise to steer clear of downtown Annapolis unless you are planning to attend the Boat Show. But wait, I live almost downtown. I’m already here in the midst of the hustle and bustle of exhibitors marketing their wares and tourists wanting to tour the latest and greatest sailboats. Luxurious catamarans, handsome cruising ships, meticulously crafted yachts are all floating in the water behind the tall wire fence covered with advertisements. It costs $17.00 in admission (a 2-day pass costs $29.00), and hundreds of boating enthusiast arrive each day, willing to pay the price to partake in the dream of possibly owning a brand new sailboat. Next week it will be the Powerboat Show, with a slightly different sort of crowd.
Last night, the exhibitors were filling the sidewalks with their cigarette and cigar smoke outside the bars. Restaurants appear to be doing well. There was a lively crowd of breakfast goers at Metro Cafe this morning, although they are several blocks removed from the thick of things in their West Street location next to Lemongrass. Their croissants, by the way, are excellent and their coffee is pretty good too. It looks like it is going to be a beautiful weekend, a fine day for walking. If you are visiting the area from out-of-town, don’t forget to make dinner reservations. On Saturday there’s a Navy game at the stadium; U.S. Naval Academy vs. Southern Mississippi. The town is crowded.