Party on the Water Sunday

Call it a “harmonic convergence” of sorts.

Thousands of boaters are expected to come together Sunday [June 12] to celebrate nature and enjoy live band music as it wafts across the water at Magothy River Day 2011. The family-friendly event, which is free and open to the public, marks the discovery of the Magothy River 403 years ago by famed English explorer Captain John Smith.

Stalwarts of the annual party-on-the-water will start rafting up around noon at the Dobbins Island anchorage to get a prime spot. The Nautical Wheelers, a Jimmy Buffett cover band, will perform from 1 to 5 p.m. on the island’s public-access beach.

Last year, more than 500 boats turned out on a perfect summer day. But organizers say the event is more than just a good time. “For watershed residents, it’s a renewal of our efforts to become good stewards,” said Paul Spadaro, president of the Magothy River Association.

The organization uses the festive gathering to underscore its role as the river’s watchdog. This year, MRA members will spend part of the day planting baby oysters and sinking a time capsule that contains messages from local students. Unlike in past years, a community “wade in” to check water clarity will not take place, due to poor conditions on the sandbar.

Despite a dismal “report card” that gave the river a health grade of D-minus this year, Spadaro remains optimistic that community involvement can turn things around for the river.

Hundreds of volunteers are helping with MRA’s various recovery projects, including oyster restoration and the growing of sub-aquatic vegetation, or SAV. Where the Magothy once had more than 300 acres of underwater grasses filtering pollution and providing habitat for bay wildlife, now there are only about two.

Spadaro said the concept of recycling, once unheard of and now commonplace, shows that people can change their behavior to benefit the environment. That theme came through loud and clear in the 179 time capsule entries submitted by students from Eagle Cove School (formerly Gibson Island Country School), Severna Park Middle School and St. John the Evangelist School in Severna Park. A sample of their work can be viewed on MRA’s Facebook page.

Students submitted drawings and letters about what they’re doing to help clean up the Magothy River and the Chesapeake Bay. Their contributions, along with documents that chronicle current restoration efforts, will be sealed in a five-gallon bucket and anchored to an oyster bar near Rock Point at Broad Creek.

The organization is hoping the water will be clear enough for the time capsule to be discovered and opened on June 12, 2111. But just in case, they’re checking into putting up a marker on the B&A Trail that will give the coordinates of its location.

“The whole idea is people will do the right thing, clean up the river and be able to see the time capsule,” Spadaro said. “Hopefully with each decade, we’ll improve.”

For more information about the Magothy River Association or Magothy River Day festivities, visit their web site: http://www.magothyriver.org, call (410) 647-8772 or email Paul Spadaro at spspadaro@verizon.net. For weather-related announcements the day of, tune into Annapolis radio station WNAV at 1430 AM.