Lighthouse lovers are invited to take the challenge and visit ten lighthouses in two days! Plans are underway for the 11th annual Maryland Lighthouse Challenge on September 16 and 17 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cove Point Lighthouse in Lusby, MD. Visit Maryland’s historic lighthouses at some of the most beautiful spots in the state and see Concord Point, Seven Foot Knoll, Lightship Chesapeake, Hooper Strait, Choptank River Replica, Drum Point, Cove Point, Piney Point, Point Lookout, and Fort Washington Lighthouses. After visiting the Drum Point Lighthouse at the Calvert Marine Museum, guests can hop on a shuttle bus from the museum to Cove Point Lighthouse, located just five miles north. Parking is limited at Cove Point and available for handicapped guests only. On both days, buses begin running at 8 a.m. with the last one departing at 5:30 p.m. The Drum Point Lighthouse will close at 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, however participants can still see the lighthouse and receive their stamp. Complimentary souvenirs will be given at each Challenge location. You are welcome to visit any number of lighthouses along the Challenge route, but you will have to visit all mandatory stops to be able to proclaim “I’ve seen the lights!” and collect a specially designed souvenir to mark your accomplishment. Choptank River Lighthouse replica in Cambridge, MD. There are also three bonus lighthouses this year: Millers Island Lighthouse (visible from the Dock of the Bay restaurant in Sparrows Point), Sandy Point Shoal Lighthouse (visible offshore at Sandy Point State Park), and the Blackistone Lighthouse replica (by way of a boat ride to St. Clement's Island). Visiting these lighthouses is not counted toward event completion, but will take Challengers to three more beautiful Bay locations, earning them extra event souvenirs. Directions (one light to the next) can be downloaded through the Challenge webpage, or requested by phone for those who don’t have internet access (410) 437-0741. Direction sheets will also be available at all mandatory stops along the Challenge route.  The directions are listed (north to south) beginning with Concord Point and ending with Fort Washington—or you can follow in reverse order, Fort Washington to Concord Point. Following the route in either of these orders, however, is only a suggestion. Participants are encouraged to start the Challenge anywhere along the route. Blackistone Lighthouse replica on St. Clement's Island, one of the bonus lighthouses. Due to traffic and parking issues in Downtown Baltimore, it is strongly suggested that you visit the inner harbor location (Seven Foot Knoll Lighthouse and the Lightship Chesapeake) as early in the day as possible. The Chesapeake Chapter of the United States Lighthouse Society does not charge participants a fee to take part in the Challenge, however, some of the lighthouses or parks do charge entrance fees. A full list of fees, along with driving directions can be found at cheslights.org/challenge-fees-and-schedules.