Question: Did you know that Calvert County is home to the oldest tournament of Maryland’s official state sport? (Jousting)
It’s true! Calvert County is home to the oldest tournament of Maryland’s official state sport, jousting. Held each year on the grounds of Christ Church in Port Republic, the tournament celebrated its 150th year in 2016. According to the Maryland Jousting Tournament Association, during the special February session of the Maryland legislature in 1962, the Honorable Henry J. Fowler Sr., Delegate from St. Mary’s County, introduced a bill into the Maryland House of Delegates giving recognition to the sport of jousting as the Official State Sport of Maryland. This bill passed both chambers of the Legislature by an overwhelming vote and was signed into law by Governor J. Millard Tawes. Thus, as of June 1, 1962, Maryland became the first state in the United States to adopt an official state sport.
Source: Calvert County’s Economic Development Office & Maryland Jousting Tournament Association
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