Annual Events at JPPM

Hot for Chocolate 5k (Rescheduled)
Come and warm up with us at the Calvert County Community Partners Hot for Chocolate 5K! This is a family-friendly, fun-filled race through Jefferson Patterson Park followed by a festive finish-line festival that includes music, food, and hot chocolate!
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026
Register here
Discovering Archaeology Day
A day of interactive learning and fun with archaeologists from across the region, including hands-on activities for kids, archaeological site tours, exhibits, games, giveaways, and cool crafts.
When: Saturday, April 11, 2026
Admission: FREE
Children's Day on the Farm
Bring the entire family for a day of fun with live performances, crafts, games, wagon rides and food vendors. Check out the demonstrations and exhibits to learn about rural life in the past and today.
When: Sunday, June 7, 2026
Admission: FREE
Patuxent River Wade-In
Join us 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.
When: Sunday, June 14, 2026
Admission: FREE
Neon Nights 5k
Let's Glow! Neon Nights 5K! This is a family-friendly, fun-filled EVENING race through Jefferson Patterson Park followed by a finish-line festival that includes music, food trucks, and fun activities for the whole family.
When: Saturday, August 1, 2026
Register here
American Indian Heritage Day
Join us as we celebrate 10,000 years of history and culture! This free event features native dancers, educational demonstrations, and tons of fun activities!
When: Saturday, November 7, 2026
Admission: FREE
Turkey Trot 5k
Come strut your stuffing with us at the Calvert County Community Partners Turkey Trot 5K! This is a family-friendly, fun-filled race through Jefferson Patterson Park and a long-standing tradition that benefits Project ECHO and the Friends of Jefferson Patterson Park.
When: Thanksgiving Morning, Thursday, November 26, 2026
Register here