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Maryland Historical Trust

Patuxent River Wade-In

June 14th, 2026 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
  • Cost: FREE
  • Date and time: June 14th, 2026 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
  • Location: Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, 10515 Mackall Rd, St Leonard, MD, 20685

Join Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum for the 38th Annual Patuxent River Wade In, honoring former State Senator Bernie Fowler.

Exhibitor tents will open at noon. At 1:00 p.m. there will be remarks by museum staff, the Fowler family and other local leaders followed by the wade-in tradition!  

Senator Fowler held the first Patuxent "Wade-In" in 1988 to assess whether he could still see his sneakers while wading into the river. This became known as the “Sneaker Index.” His white sneakers disappeared from view in a disappointing 10 inches of water. At age 97, he led the 34th Wade-In late June, 2021, at JPPM. Although Senator Fowler passed, his tradition lives on with the annual Patuxent River Wade-In.