Assateague State Park visitors will have a free pass to the wonders of the barrier island on Sept. 13 when the park nixes its entrance fee for Maryland Coast Day.

From 11 a.m.-4 p.m. the state park grounds will transform into a world of wildlife, entertainment and environmental education when some 4,000 visitors are expected to head to the barrier island park for the festival replete with live animals, Eastern Shore eats, music, boat rides, and arts and crafts.

This year’s coastal celebration will include a helicopter air-sea rescue demonstration by the Maryland Natural Resources Police aviation division. As with last year, visitors will be able to sample aquacultured clams all day during the festival on the barrier island.

Highlights of the jamboree will include Discovery boat rides, DNR’s Scales and Tales’ live owls, live animal touch tanks, kite flying and sand-castle building lessons, and AMSA surf casting demos. This year a $5 donation per ride on the Discovery will help support future Coast Days which each year are funded through private donations.

On hand will be some 40 environmental organizations showing what visitors and residents can do to protect the coastal bays. Music will be provided by Hayman White and food vendors will offer chicken, oysters, crab cakes, burgers, hot dogs, fish, and munchies.

With help from the Coastal Bays Program, Assateague State Park, Assateague Coastal Trust, Assateague Island National Seashore, and the Kite Loft, the free, family-oriented event takes place on Assateague after the Coastal Cleanup which begins at 8:30 a.m. at the National Seashore.

The 2003 Coast Day is sponsored by Conectiv, Bayshore Development Corporation, U.S. Navy, Town of Ocean City, Choptank Electric, Sun Signs, Kirk McBride and Worcester County. Festival displays will be just south of the state park entrance. Parking is available on Assateague State and National parks and on the mainland. Busses will shuttle visitors from parking areas.

For information call Dave Wilson at 410-213-2297 or e-mail him at outreach@mdcoastalbays.org.