Events

HLT Event

Saturday, August 19th-Kayak Poker Run

HLT and the Ben Boniface Deer Creek Valley Fund are happy to announce the return of the Kayak Poker Run on August 19, 2023, at Water Street where the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay meet.  Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are welcome. Since we are in Havre de Grace, we wanted to bring some history into our event: we are calling the paddle the Matilda O’Neill Run which is 3-5 miles.

The history of Matilda O’Neill is below:

Matilda O’Neill was the brave young woman who rowed to ADM Cockburn’s British warship and saved the life of her father, John O’Neill, the Defender of Havre de Grace.  During the British attack, on Havre de Grace on May 3, 1813, John manned the artillery to defend the city but was captured and taken to ADM Cockbourn’s ship The Maidstone.  John ONeill, due to be hung as a traitor, was saved when Matilda confronted the Admiral.  Cockburn, impressed with her spirit, released her father and gave her his gold-mounted tortoiseshell snuffbox as she rowed away to safety.

Proceeds support Harford Land Trust’s mission of preserving Harford County’s most treasured places and The American Legion Joseph L. Davis Post 47‘s renovation of their pavilion.

Saturday, August 19, 2023

9:00 am -1:00 PM

REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

Sponsorships are available – Email Nina Depkin at ndepkin@harfordlandtrust.org