KENT NARROWS, MARYLAND
Queen Anne's County Watermen's Association 6th Annual Crab Basket Tree Events at the Kent Narrows Waterfront
The Tree Lighting and Vendor Fair will be held on December 6, 2025.
The vendor fair opens at Noon, and the Tree Lighting Ceremonies begin at 6:00 p.m.
The trees will be up until the first week in January.
Interesting Facts:
About 300 Baskets were used to construct the 2024 display.
Event History:
In 2020 the QAC Watermen's Association thought it was essential to create an event that would provide a safe outdoor holiday gathering space, allowing people to celebrate the holiday during the pandemic. That first year, 202 baskets were used to make the first tree at Kent Narrows.
Due to the success of the 2020 event, two trees were constructed in 2021, and a small outdoor Arts and Crafts fair was added during the daytime hours. The event was also relocated to be closer to the Maryland Watermen's Monument The display became more visible from the Kent Narrows Bridges and Route. 18.
By 2022, the event had grown, and three trees were built and the vendor fair hours were extended. With the help of a local business the event expanded intothe Crab Deck Complex.
By 2023, more activities for families were added.
Local arts businesses added basket painting events for those who wished to share paints and supplies. And some neighborhoods in Kent Island built their own trees and donated the funds they raised to the Queen Anne's County Watermen's Association.
In 2024, Food Trucks were added, and the vendor fair expanded into the Fishermen's Crab Deck pavilion and building. The hours were extended for the event from 12-6 p.m.
The 2025 Tree Lighting Program starts at 6:00 p.m.The event begins with greetings from local dignitaries and a time of remembrance for those who had memorial baskets donated in their honor. Then local school choirs provided music. The Grasonville Volunteer Fire Department will transport Santa and Mrs. Clause to the event to help light the tree.
Baskets are currently on sale for the 2025 Display. Click here to download more information.
2025 Builders
TBA
2024
Tree Builders and Helpers
Charles Thomas
Troy Wilkins
Joe Sadler
Billy Benton
Jimmy Thompson
Bubba Collison
Luke Houghton
Denny Coursey
Dickie Coursey
Phil Dumenil
John Coursey
Charlie Palmer
Brooke Horney
Christy Wilkins
Beverly Benton
Karen Sadler
Gigi Windley
Lisa Vallandingham
Ian Horney
VISITOR INFO
For more information on the tree and the associated events visit Queen Anne's County Watermen on Facebook or email qawatermen@yahoo.com. Updates from the Watermen's Association can be accessed through Facebook @
Queen Anne's Watermen.
For up-to-date visitor info in including info on hotels and restaurants within walking distance of the trees, visit Kent Narrows Waterfront on Facebook or stay on this website: Kentnarrowsmd.com. For info on Queen Anne's County attractions and events go to visitqueenannes.com.
Maps of the area can be accessed here.
The trees will be up until the end of January 2026. So please visit throughout the holiday season.
When and where will the Queen Anne’s County Watermen’s Crab Basket Tree be located in 2025?
The tree display is located in Kent Narrows, Maryland on the Grasonville side of the Kent Narrows Waterfront. It stands between the Maryland Watermen’s Monument and Fisherman’s Crab Deck. The area is known as Fisherman’s Village. The street address is 3032 Main Street, Grasonville, MD 21638. The unlit display will be erected on November 29th. The lit display runs from December 6th- January 9th. People are welcome to take pictures with the trees during this time period.
When and what time is the Queen Ann's County Watermen's 2025 Holiday Vendor Fair?
The 2025 Queen Anne’s County Watermen’s Vendor Fair is from 12:00 p.m.- 6 p.m. on December 6.
The Vendor Fair is located near the tree display and the Watermen’s Monument on the Fisherman’s Crab Deck Property at 3032 Kent Narrows Main Street, Rt. 18 at the Kent Narrows Waterfront in Grasonville. It features over 25 local vendors selling hand-made arts and craft items. Specialty items that support the Watermen’s Associations and Maryland’s Eastern Shore will also be sold. This is a good place to find unique holiday gift items.
Selfies with Santa and Mrs.Clause can be taken between 2:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Clause will be available for photos. They will take a short break and then come back to light the tree.
What are the details on the Watermen's Basket Tree Lighting Ceremony for 2025?
The 2025 Queen Anne's County Watermen’s Crab Basket Tree Lighting Ceremony and Countdown at Kent Narrows begins at 6:00 p.m. Please arrive before 6:00 p.m. because the parking lots fill up in and around Fisherman’s Village. More parking is available under the east side of the Kent Narrows Bridge at Exit 42 W.
Will food be available at the Watermen’s Basket Tree events?
Yes, several restaurants including Fishermen’s Inn, The Narrows, The Jetty, Bridges are within walking distance. Appetizers, beverages and snacks are available at The Placery at the Hyatt Place. The Dock House and Harris Crab House are also nearby. Food trucks will be on site for those who choose to eat at the event. Local organizations will offer hot non-alcoholic beverages.
What else is there to do at Kent Narrows on December 6, 2025?
The Queen Anne’s County Railroad Society is offering free entry into their Model Railroad Display which is located just off of Exit 41 west (Kent Narrows West) Piney Narrows Road on December 6.
Where can we eat dinner after the Crab Basket Tree Lighting in Kent Narrows?
Yes, there are many restaurants in the area that are serving dinner after the event. Please visit Kentnarrowsmd.com for a list of waterfront restaurants in Kent Narrows.
What time will the Crab Basket Tree event at Kent Narrows end?
The formal programming for the lighting is usually over by about 6:30, although many people stay for a while after to take pictures.
How long will the Queen Anne’s County Watermen’s Basket Tree Display be up at Kent Narrows? The unlit display will be erected on November 29th. The lit display runs from December 6th- January 9th. People are welcome to take pictures with the trees during this time period.
Is there a cost for the event?
No, the event is open to the public at no charge. The Watermen’s Association welcomes voluntary donations and sponsorships.
I can’t get to the lighting ceremony. May I watch the Queen Anne’s County Watermen’s Tree Lighting Ceremony online on December 6, 2025?
Yes, the lighting event will be streamed live on QAC TV qactv.com and on The Kent Narrows Waterfront’s Facebook Page:#Kentnarrows/facebook.
Every basket has a story of remembrance, honor, celebration, history or holiday spirit.
MEMORIAL BASKETS
Each year the Watermen’s Association honor those watermen, past and active, and those who have passed away this year with baskets painted with a red heart for each of them.
2024 Memorial Baskets in remembrance of:
Ed Grimes
Jimmy Melvin
Maurice Dashell,Sr.
Buddy Anderson
Eddie Clough
Lynn Baxter
Bluey Thomas
2023 Memorial Baskets in remembrance of:
Larry Hansel
Darnell Lynch
Toddy Denny
Pat Harris
BoBo Hall
Dave Horney
2022 Memorial Baskets in remembrance of:
Sonny Hampton
Billy Darrell
Billy White
Charles Butch Lewis
Guy Edwards
Bill Joyce
2021 Memorial Baskets in remembrance of:
Carlton Austin
Snapper Thomas
Ken Phillips
Pat Lee
Warren Butler
Randy Timms
Arthur Jones
Rudolph "Bootie" Green
2020 Memorial Baskets were remembrance of:
Eddie Hoxter
Norma Jean Ringgold
Brother Collier
Jimmy Timms
Don Tryan
Bobby Timms
Bobby Adron
Stephen Ruth
Ronnie Golt
Baskets are painted by local citizens, both adults and children.