Havre de Grace tables Arts, Wine, Jazz & Soul festival after maritime museum raises parking concerns

The Havre de Grace council voted to table a special‑event application for the Arts, Wine, Jazz & Soul Festival scheduled for Aug. 8, 2026 at Concord Point Park after the Havre de Grace Maritime Museum asked the city to require event organizers to post parking signs and provide attendants directing cars to permitted areas.

Dr. Chris Ritchie, director of administration, said he had received an email from the museum describing repeated problems during past events when attendees parked in spaces used by the museum. The museum requested that event approvals include conditions requiring clear signage showing where event parking is permitted and a volunteer or staff member to direct vehicles during the event. "They've had challenges where people that are attending events are parking in spaces that are designated for the maritime museum," Ritchie said.

City counsel and administration noted the parcels in front of the maritime and decoy museums may be covered by leases that need legal review before any permanent policy changes can be imposed on future events. Council President moved to table the festival application pending legal review; the motion was seconded by Council member Bowker and carried 5‑1 (Council member Jones was recorded as opposing the tabling motion).

Why it matters: Concord Point Park and the lots adjacent to the maritime museum are heavily used during festivals and are partially managed through historical museum leases, so the museum seeks clearer, enforceable procedures to prevent event attendees from occupying museum parking. Council members said they want a legal review of leases and a consistent policy for future events before imposing permanent conditions.