Join former Calvert County Commissioner & Maryland State Senator Bernie Fowler on Sunday, June 8 at 1 p.m. for the 2014 Patuxent River Wade-In at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum in St. Leonard, Maryland.

From the Maryland Department of Planning’s announcement:

As a young man in the 1950s, Bernie Fowler stood chest-deep in the Patuxent and was able to see his feet on the river bottom while netting blue crabs. Senator Fowler held the first Patuxent “wade-in” in 1988 to assess whether he could still see his feet while wading into the river. This became known as the “Sneaker Index.” His white sneakers – which he still has and uses for the annual event – disappeared from view in a disappointing 10 inches of water.

Bernie Fowler, who served as Calvert County commissioner from 1970-1982 and as Maryland state senator from 1983-1994, joined more than 225 attendees at the 26th Wade-In in 2013 at Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum. His sneakers were visible until he reached a depth of 34 inches.

For more information about the Patuxent River Wade-In, visit the website or view the Map to Wade-In.