CAMBRIDGE — On Thursday night, Lt. Gov. Boyd Rutherford helped welcome shooters from across the country to the Eastern Shore at Sailwinds Park.

“On behalf of Gov. Hogan and our entire administration, I’d like to welcome you all to the Grand National Waterfowl Association 34th Annual Hunt Week here in Cambridge,” Lt. Gov. Rutherford said.

GNWA is a nonprofit organization based in Dorchester County that is dedicated to promoting conservation practices while supporting Eastern Shore businesses. The Grand National hosts a hunt week every year and invites competitive shooters to enjoy hunting in the area. This year, GNWA hosted a number of wounded veterans and many others.

On Friday, after a day of hunting, the nonprofit held it’s Grandtastic Jamboree. For the price of admission, the public was invited to enjoy live entertainment from Bird Dog and the Road Kings and Animal House, with an all-you-can-eat buffet that featured oysters, pit beef sandwiches, soft crabs, crabcake sandwiches, Maryland crab soup and plenty of sides, treats and beverages. An awards ceremony was held Saturday following the hunt.

The lieutenant governor spoke at the GNWA Governor’s Ball the night before an early morning hunt began.

“Hunting is a rich part of Maryland’s heritage and tradition and I’m excited to join you to help kick off this multi-day event,” he said. “I want all of you to know tonight that rural Maryland, and Dorchester County, the Eastern Shore in general, will continue to have funds from Gov. Hogan and our entire administration. … We will continue to work on policies that protect the great quality of life and traditions that you enjoy.”

Lt. Gov. Rutherford also thanked GNWA for its scholarship program that was initiated in 1987. The scholarship supports high school graduates seeking an education in forestry, marine biology, veterinary medicine, agricultural science and conservation management.