I Love Dorchester Heritage & Tourism

01/17/2025

Here's the Cambridge Ice & Oyster Fest rundown at a glance from the event organizers – happening Jan. 17 and 18! You can find event maps and shuttle info and more at iceoysterfest.com.

FRIDAY:
Friday Night you will find activities in three places:

❄️ At the Hyatt you can enjoy the Winter Wonderland where they have partnered with Blackwater Adventures to create a hallmark like setting including a synthetic ice rink.

❄️ Downtown you will find dozens of ice sculptures lit up for some awesome photos, fire pits with free s'mores, and the shops and restaurants will be open to satisfy your shopping and eating needs.

❄️ At the The Packing House you will find live music, oysters, drinks, food vendors, and an ice graffiti wall to write and draw on.
Activities will be from 5 - 8 pm.

There is a shuttle serving all three locations to allow you park once and visit all three.

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SATURDAY:
On Saturday the full Cambridge Ice and Oyster Festival will be downtown. From 11am to 7pm you can view and interact with dozens of dazzling ice sculptures (including a new paintball wall this year), listen to live music on 2 stages, eat s'mores around one of the several fire pits, enjoy oysters prepared multiple ways from 5 different purveyors, get a snack from Hooked on Seafood, grab something from the Kona Ice truck or Travelin Tom's Coffee, grab a drink from one of the two ice bars, and so much more...

Shuttle will be running from Downtown to the Hyatt on Saturday.
You can find maps for the venue, parking and the shuttle on our website, along with a lot more information about activity at the event: https://iceoysterfest.com/

01/17/2025

❄️🦪 GET READY FOR THE WEEKEND! ❄️🦪 Here's your roundup of weekend fun in Dorchester County Jan. 17-20!
– Cambridge Ice & Oyster Fest with 40+ ice sculptures, oysters, firepits, s'mores, live music, more! Fri 5-8p in 3 locations (Downtown Cambridge, Packing House, Hyatt) plus Sat 11a-7p (Downtown Cambridge and Hyatt). Shuttles will run among the locations. All the info is at iceoysterfest.com
– During the hours of the Ice Fest Fri and Sat, catch a last look at the Rescue Fire Company Train Garden! 307 Gay St.
– Overflow Cafe Ministries has Open Mic Fri 6:30p
– Winter Wonderland & Ice Skating at Hyatt Chesapeake Fri 5-8pm, Sat 12-8pm, and Sun 12-5p. Weather permitting. Look for updates on Blackwater Adventures
– Cabin Fever Play Centre has open play Fri 12-7p; Sat 9a-7p, Sun 10a-1p, Mon 10a-4p
– Johnny's Tavern has Golden Touch Fri 8p; DJ Stash Sat 9:30p
– Harriet Tubman Underground Visitor Center hosts MLK Jr. event with reading of "Martin's Big Words" Sat 11a-3p
– River Dogs will have adoptable dogs from Baywater Animal Rescue in the shop Sat 12-3p
– Four Eleven Kitchen has MLK Day of Service Mon. Details on their page
– Guided Birding at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. Meet at Blackwater Visitor Center parking lot Sun at 8am. Free.
– Layton's Chance Vineyard & Winery has Charcuterie Class Sun 12-2p. Step it up for game day! Includes supplies and football-shaped charcuterie board. Tix: bit.ly/40nrDr6
– Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Dinner Show Sun 2-4p at Harriet Tubman Freedom Center, Cambridge. Featuring MLK impersonator and dinner. Martin Luther King celebration
– Choptank Bowling & Billiards has winter bowling specials including Rock N Bowl Fri and Sat 7-10p at $15.50 per person
– Shorelife Home and Gifts has sale 25-75% off
– Pet supply drive continues at Dorchester Visitor Center. Drop off items Mon-Fri 8:30a-4:30p or Sat-Sun 10a-2p
– 3ten Creative Design & Gift Gallery has Rock & Roll Art Show
– Main Street Gallery has All That Glitters: A Metalsmith Collective
– Dorchester Center for the Arts has exhibit by Anna Harding and Botanical Art League of the Eastern Shore
>> Want to add your event to a future Weekend Roundup? Submit it at visitdorchester.org/submit-event

01/17/2025

April’s Guest DJ is sponsored by Dorchester County Tourism I Love Dorchester Heritage & Tourism. Joining me today is Jayla Elise, rising R & B and pop artist and Holly Gilpin, Director of Tourism to chat about the Cambridge Ice & Oyster Festival this weekend. - April

01/17/2025

There's a brand new song celebrating Dorchester County! 21-year-old R&B and soul artist Jayla Elise was inspired to write "Dorchester Dreams" after moving to Cambridge, where she found herself moved by the warmth and creativity of the people around her. "I wanted to capture the beauty of this place - both the landscape and the people - and what it means to call this area home," she said.
>> Jayla performed the song on DelmarvaLife this week! Listen to it at the link in the comments. Watch the interview with Jayla, or jump right to the song at 2:39.
>> You can hear Jayla perform the song live this Saturday, Jan. 18 between 5 and 7pm at the Cambridge Ice & Oyster Fest in Downtown Cambridge.

01/16/2025

Use the Ice Compass sponsored by Dorchester County Economic Development and Tourism to find your way to Downtown Cambridge to view it and dozens of other dazzling ice sculptures; including a Cow from Simmons Center Market, a Lighthouse from GKD USA, Grapes and Wine Bottles from Layton's Chance Vineyard and Winery, and an Oyster from University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and Horn Point Laboratory.

This is the 4th year for the event and lots to see and do on January 17th and 18th. Many new ice sculptures and plenty of attendee favorites from past years.

Visit our website to learn more about the event and to find maps for parking, the shuttle, and the Downtown venue layout: https://iceoysterfest.com/

01/16/2025

🥰When you have College students volunteer on ⛄️Winter Break ❄️and they fall in love 💕with one of the pups🐶 they spent time with 🥰
Happy Gotcha Day Truck Stop! You have hit the jackpot 🥰

01/15/2025

Dorchester Tourism Director Holly Gilpin talks up the Cambridge Ice & Oyster Fest on DelmarvaLife! Watch it here!

01/14/2025

Big news from Lil Bitta Bull BBQ's Race Street location! Here's what they report:

Big News: A New Name for a New Chapter! 🔥

We’re thrilled to share that our main restaurant at 520 Race St. Cambridge, MD is now Bull Provisions & Smokehouse! This new name reflects our growing menu and expanded experiences while staying true to our roots in bold BBQ.

But don’t worry—Lil' Bitta Bull BBQ isn’t going anywhere—it’s staying as the parent company of both Bull Provisions & Smokehouse and Lil' Bitta Bull BBQ Express, our new takeout spot on Route 50, featuring all of our traditional favorites!

This is also our new page—be sure to give us a follow to stay up-to-date on reopening news and everything exciting coming your way! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571615442122

Thank you for your support as we continue this exciting journey. We can’t wait to welcome you back!

01/13/2025

Here are details of the fun during the opening party for the Cambridge Ice & Oyster Fest this Friday, Jan. 17 at The Packing House ! There will be a shuttle running between the Packing House, downtown Cambridge (with the bulk of the ice sculpures), and the Hyatr Chesapeake (with ice skating and Winter Village). Details at iceoysterfest.com.

01/13/2025

ICYMI: featured a look at the quaint town of East New Market, founded in 1660, where the entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places!
>> See it here: wmdt.com/2024/12/our-town-revisited-east-new-market

01/13/2025

ICYMI: Check out the great feature on Old Salty’s Restaurant in Shore Magazine’s “Sporting Life” edition, and learn how the idea of Mike and Melinda Perry buying the restaurant started as a joke – and ended up becoming an adventure – and a whole new life.
>> Read the story, which starts on page 36: tinyurl.com/mvb2vk9v

01/12/2025

Cambridge Ice & Oyster Fest is coming up Jan. 17-18! Friday events in Downtown Cambridge, at the Packing House, and at the Hyatt Chesapeake. Saturday fun is downtown and at the Hyatt. Get the details at iceoysterfest.com!

Here is the map of the Downtown venue for the Cambridge Ice and Oyster Festival to help plan your time with us next weekend Friday, January 17th and Saturday, 18th. Friday Night the majority of the sculptures will be in place and lit up for viewing and photo ops. The Hyatt Ice Slide will be open and there will be fire pits and s'mores. All downtown restaurants and shops will open and ready to serve you.

On Saturday everything on the map will be in place and the festival will be in full swing from 11 am until 7 pm.

Here is link the map: https://bit.ly/IceOysterVenueMap

You can find a downloadable version of this map and the shuttle stop map on our website on the home page and in the FAQs. https://iceoysterfest.com/

01/10/2025

The Ice Skating Rink and Winter Village is still going strong at Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Resort! Open to all. Take a spin on the synthetic ice rink, step up to the hot cocoa bar, enjoy a festival cocktail, and roast some s’mores.
⛸ Hours for January are Friday 5-8pm, Saturday 12-8pm, and Sunday 12-5pm. Weather depending.
⛸ For the latest updates, check the social media of Blackwater Adventures or call them at 410-901-9255.
(Photo of two girls on the rink by Angel Powell. Other photos courtesy Blackwater Adventures.)

01/10/2025

Raise your hand if you’ve been anxiously awaiting the return of our Supper Club…especially now that this chilly winter weather feels even better with a homemade comfort meal in front of you🙋‍♀️

Our first Supper Club of 2025 kicks off NEXT WEDNESDAY with fresh baked chicken pot pie, homemade applesauce, sweet corn, and a dessert for two for only $25 (additional $5 for delivery)

Make sure to place your order before this coming Monday to secure your meal- we can’t wait to serve you again!!!💗

Www.emilysproduceorders.com

01/10/2025

❄️ GET READY FOR THE WEEKEND! ❄️ Here's your roundup of weekend fun in Dorchester County Jan. 10-12! NOTE: Because of the weather/road situation, some events have been canceled and some merchants are closed. Call before you go.
– Winter Wonderland & Ice Skating at Hyatt Chesapeake Fri 5-8pm, Sat 12-8pm, and Sun 12-5p. Weather permitting. Look for updates on Adventures
– Doe Harvest Challenge Fri-Sun. Help control the deer population while entering to win $1,000. No entry fee. Area Farm Bureaus host this hunt. Info: tinyurl.com/3shdspfp
– Overflow Cafe has Open Mic Fri 6:30p
– Choptank Bowling & Billiards has winter bowling specials including Rock N Bowl Fri and Sat 7-10p at $15.50 per person
– Johnny's Tavern has Country Night Fri 8p; DJ Havoc Sat 9:30p
– CANCELED. Second Saturday Book Sale, 9a-1p at Cambridge Library
– Layton's Chance Winery has Charcuterie Class Sat 12-2p. Step it up for game day! Supplies and football-shaped charcuterie board included. Tickets: tinyurl.com/4puds44r
– 3ten Creative Design & Gift Gallery has Rock & Roll Art Show. Free 2nd Saturday reception Sat 6p
– Main Street Gallery has All That Glitters: A Metalsmith Collective. RECEPTION CANCELED -Free 2nd Saturday reception Sat 5-8p
– Dorchester Center for the Arts has exhibit by Anna Harding and Botanical Art League of the Eastern Shore. RECEPTION CANCELED - Free 2nd Saturday reception Sat 5-7p
– Oyster Ball Sat. 6-9p at Portside Restaurant to benefit Dorchester Seafood Heritage Association. Music by Bird Dog and the Road Kings
– Dorchester County Historical Society has 2025 calendars for sale featuring local photos. Stop by to buy
– Shorelife Home & Gifts has storewide sale 20-50% off
– Pet supply drive continues at Dorchester Visitor Center. Drop off items Mon-Fri 8:30a-4:30p or Sat-Sun 10a-2p
>> Want to add your event to a future Weekend Roundup? Submit it at visitdorchester.org/submit-event

01/09/2025

❄️🦪 In our January newsletter, we've got the scoop on the Cambridge Ice & Oyster Fest Jan. 17-18. But that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to winter fun – we have more events, outdoor adventures, creative endeavors, and history journeys to share! See what's happening around Dorchester this month and beyond!
❄️ Experience the newsletter: jan2025.visitdorchesterstories.com
❄️ Subscribe: visitdorchester.org/about-dorchester/email-signup

01/09/2025