Weekends on Wednesday

This weekend:

Baltimore City's Historic Rite of Spring, Annual Flower Mart (Baltimore)
Flowers and plants galore, hat and pet contests, children's area, unique crafts, entertainment, lemon-peppermint sticks.

Springfest (Ocean City) 
Four dynamic days of delicious food, live entertainment and unique arts and crafts under four huge big top tents located in the Inlet Lot at the south end of Ocean City’s famous Boardwalk. 

45th Annual Flower and Plant Market (Westminster) 
Also tours of the historic Shriver Homestead and Grist Mill.  Gift Shop. Free admissions to grounds.

Orioles vs. Minnesota Twins (Baltimore)

Queen Anne's County Birding Event! (Grasonville)
Come see all variety of birds as they pass through the area for migration or to stay for the season. A variety of events are planned. For more info: www.visitqueenannes.com or www.bayrestoration.org


Opera - Handel's Serse (Rockville)  
Fully staged and in costume with a chamber orchestra under the direction of Dr. Katerina Souvorova.

Maryland International Film Festival (Hagerstown) 
Three days, over 60 films. Opening night includes awarding of the Tony Mendez Award

Towsontown Spring Festival (Towson)
The whole family can enjoy crafts, food, music, entertainment and more.


Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival (West Friendship)  
A fun-filled weekend of live animals, crafts and supplies, entertainment and more. Check out our schedule and events pages for more details about the Festival. We look forward to seeing you!

Wine and Food Festival (National Harbor) 
Join us at National Harbor; bringing together world-renowned chefs, artisanal craftsmen, and culinary pioneers with thousands of Metro DC’s foodies.This year is very exciting, we've added a lot of great new features.

Naptown barBAYq Contest and Music Festival (Crownsville) 
A Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) sanction event featuring over 50 teams competing for overall winner and Maryland grand champion, 40 bands playing on 3 stages, food, drinks, arts and crafts vendors, and activities for all ages! All proceeds will support local children’s charities.

May 3rd

Colonial May Fair (Wye Mills) 
Colonial Crafts, games, music, barn-raising, May pole, rides, blessing of animals and food

Clyde Gibson Annual Fishing Derby (Mount Airy) 
Great time for Dads (Moms, too) to spend with their children and have a good time. Registration is required to be eligible for a prize.

Howard County Cup Races (Brookeville) 
A Howard County family tradition for close to 70 years, the race meet showcases one of Maryland's most historic sports, horse racing over the open countryside, jumping over natural fences. Spectators enjoy an outdoor party, vying for "Best Tailgate Awards" while cheering on the horses and riders. 

Hampton Mansion Car Show (Towson)  
Admission is free to the public. The estate formerly owned by the Ridgely Family, offers guided tours of the stately mansion, out buildings and their magnificent 63 acre park . The grounds are home to state champion trees, a falling garden, historic structures and wildlife.410-499-6196 http://www.bcaboom.org/

AVAM's Kinetic Sculpture Race (Baltimore) 
American Visionary Art Museum's race of wacky, imaginative, totally human-powered works of art, designed to travel on land, through mud, and over deep harbor waters. A 15-mile route throughout Baltimore, this FREE community mega-event kicks of 10am & lasts all day!

Spring Craft and Food Truck Rodeo (Bowie)
This outdoor event takes place in Old Town Bowie. Featuring crafters, vendors, antiques, and food trucks, it's a little bit of something for everyone. Free to attend, some attractions may charge a fee. Rain date is the following day. For your GPS, enter 8519 Chestnut Avenue, Bowie, MD 20715

The 37th Annual Steam Show (Lutherville) 
See how fire engines operated in the 1800's and learn about the history of the fire service. New this year, visitors can try pumping an 1880’s Hand Pumper. Rides in an 1898 hose wagon or a 1935 Stutz Fire Engine. In addition, there are Kids' firefighting contests and working steam engine models.

DC 101 Kerfuffle (Columbia) 
Featuring 311 • SOJA • Cage the Elephant • Foals • KONGOS • Semi Precious Weapons • Brick + Mortar • J Roddy Walston and The Business
A “kerfuffle” can be described as a big commotion, and that large racket you’re hearing is people crawling all over themselves to grip tickets to this year’s DC101 Kerfuffle at Merriweather. You just have to act fast to purchase tickets; with a lineup this killer, you’ll have some fierce competition.

Music of the British Isles (Columbia) 
Columbia Pro Cantare celebrates British and Celtic music in the final concert of its 2013-14 season. The chorus, under the direction of Frances Motyca Dawson, will be joined for this concert by Jared Denhard, pipes and whistles, Richard McCready, bones and percussion, and the Lexington Brass Quintet. The program consists of short works, some familiar and some new to the ear, including Orlando Gibbons’ Cries of London, Stephen Hatfield’s Best to Be Singing and O’er the Hills, and “Eisteddsod,” a medley of Welsh songs for chorus arranged by Jared Denhard. An informal lecture on the works precedes the concert at 7 pm, and there is a post-concert reception.

May 4th

Native Plant Palooza (Columbia) 
Landscaping and gardening with plants native to Maryland makes gardening easier and benefits the world around you. By planting native, you can save on the cost of water, fertilizer, and pesticides while providing a habitat for butterflies, insects and other local wildlife. Feel good about your garden or yard this year by purchasing native plants from a host of vendors with a portion of proceeds from the sale benefiting educational programs at the Nature Center. If you are new to using native plants, don’t worry. Special guest speakers provide information on the “how to’s” of using natives. See www.howardcountymd.gov/RNCplantnative.htm for details on speakers and other activities. No registration necessary. Event is Free. Recommended age is 12 yrs+. Free

James Rouse's 100th Birthday Celebration (Columbia) 
Come celebrate the life and legacy of Columbia’s founder James Rouse! His birthday celebration will have a musical tribute starring the Young Columbians and special guests. The show is presented by Toby Orenstien, founder of Columbia Center for Theatrical Arts, the Young Columbians, and Toby’s Dinner Theatre.

Terrapin and The Hare Mud Run (Savage) 
Run for Recess! Terrapin Adventures is teaming up with Playworks Maryland to put together a 5k mud run to help raise money to bring recess to 20 schools in the Maryland area. The Terrapin and the Hare is a fun, high intensity, obstacle course run through the woods of Savage, Maryland. Starting at Terrapin adventures, the Terrapin and the Hare will include five kilometers of challenging terrain and will contain obstacles such as climbing walls, tires, webs, and of course, mud. If you like a challenge and some food topped off with a beer from the Rams Head Tavern at the finish, then the Terrapin and the Hare is the race for you. Come run, jump, climb and get muddy for recess.

Sykesville Art and Wine Festival (Sykesville) 
Annual Art & Wine Festival featuring local wineries and artisans. Enjoy the afternoon drinking local wines while listening to music and exposed to the works of local artisans. You can even stroll the street and take in a bit of history.

From Underwear to Outerwear: Exploring Civil War Era Dress (Bel Air) 
Interested in how a lady dressed in the mid-1860's? Come learn the basics about fashion for ladies. Living Historians Karen Heier and Tina Siatkowski discuss underclothing along with day and evening dresses. Tour at 2pm. The cost is $5.00 for those age 13 and older. 

Children's Chorus of Maryland 38th Annual Spring Concert (Owings Mills)  
Enjoy a wonderful afternoon of music, humor and joy, featuring some of the area’s best trained young singers and a few special guest stars! From jazz to tongue twisters, Children’s Chorus of Maryland’s Spring Concert celebrates works from Vaughan Williams to Whitacre, and maybe even some humor.

First Sunday Arts Festival (Annapolis) 
We invite you to the FREE annual First Sunday Arts Festival of Annapolis which runs the first Sunday of each month from May through October. From noon until 5:00 pm, a portion of historic West Street and beyond is transformed into a fun festival of live music, dance, art and crafts.

Maryland Monday

We simply have the best clients in the world! People are pretty awesome in Maryland, you know!

We had our Food Drive on Saturday at the Hickory Ridge Village Center Giant. The weather was perfect!

The Treehouse School of Music joined in the fun, and the kids played for everyone as they came and went.

It was a great day! And we were able to gather lots of food because of the generous donations of both clients and total strangers. Life is good.

Debbie Sell and Laurie Scheiber
 
Sarah Kapinos and McKenzie Daily being photo-bombed!

They pitched in and helped us all day!

Scott Kapinos and Chris Barker

The whole gang!

With the Giant Assistant Manager

 






 




 


Weekends on Wednesday

Trucky will visit the Hickory Ridge Village Center Giant for our Food Drive on Saturday. Will YOU?


Finally! Gardening season is finally here! Need inspiration for your own garden?  Click here for a list of Maryland Gardens

This Weekend:


The Maryland International Kite Exposition will feature three fun filled days of kite flying on the beautiful beaches of Ocean City, Maryland. Throughout the festival, there will be exhibitions and demonstrations including stunt and power kite lessons, free children's games and activities, and much more! The festival will showcase some of the best kite flyers from around the world.

32nd Annual Salisbury Festival (Downtown Salisbury) 
Live entertainment, classic car show, carnival & games, block party, food, shopping, children's activities, arts & crafts show, craft beer tasting and much more.

Orioles Vs Royals (Baltimore) 
Apr 25, 2014 
Apr 26, 2014
Apr 27, 2014

M3 Rock Festival (Columbia) 
We will be back for a 5th year- 2 days of music, features 2 stages, and a wide variety of entertaining booths and attractions.

For more than 39 years, the nation’s most talented artisans have sold their contemporary crafts and fine art at Sugarloaf Craft Festivals. Attracting 175,000 visitors annually, Sugarloaf shows are consistently rated by leading industry publications as one of the top craft experiences in the country.

Experienced and novice sailors will have a chance to shop for the latest in equipment, electronics, clothing and boating accessories. Sailboats of all types and sizes, including catamarans, mono hulls, racing boats, and day sailors, will be at the show. Admission: $12; children 12 and under free

Celebrate Frederick's agricultural history with the Frederick County Farm Museum Association and Rose Hill Manor Park. Enjoy a hay ride around the park and witness spring planting. Visit our barns to view the farm animals and learn how milk gets to your table. Enjoy a variety of crafts and help plant the vegetable garden in the Manor's backyard. Other activities include antique and kiddie tractor pulls, music, craft vendors, and home-style food.

The third annual event features notable scientists, celebrity speakers and performers such as Bill Nye the Science Guy, Mike Rowe, They Might Be Giants, and many more. Try the schedule app to decide which presentations to see in advance. There will be more than 3000 hands-on activities for all ages, 150 stage shows, a career pavilion and college fair, book fair and exhibits. Preregistration is required for a sneak peek on Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. open to K-12 students, homeschoolers and military families. The main expo runs Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 

April 25th:


As the Baltimore area’s premier dementia conference for healthcare professionals, caregivers and those living with early-stage dementia, this comprehensive event will feature expert speakers on research and practical information on Alzheimer’s care.

Toujours L'Amour (Baltimore) 
A Celebration of French Grand Opera. Love, passion and romance are the hallmarks of French grand opera, ranging from works such as Roméo et Juliette, Manon, Faust, Thaïs, and so many others.

Celebrate the 55th anniversary of the founding of Motown with this concert featuring classic hits from the past five decades. Enjoy a special evening that ignites images and remembrances of a musical era gone by featuring the music of The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, Patti LaBelle, Jackson 5, The Supremes, Earth, Diana Ross, Wind & Fire and more!​

If you enjoyed watching the kids hunt for Easter eggs, don’t feel left out! Bring your date or a group of friends and get active in nature as you join us for an adult, nighttime egg hunt using flashlights and your wits at the Robinson Nature Center. Hundreds of eggs full of raffle tickets and/or small prizes lie hidden, awaiting your discovery. Collect as many as you can for chances to win gift cards and other fantastic nature-themed prizes. Thanks to our many sponsors for making the spring egg hunt a blast. View our sponsors and prizes at www.howardcountymd.gov/RNCspecialevents.htm. Space is limited. Preregister to secure your spot. $12 per individual; $20 per couple. 18 yrs +

April 26th:


2nd Annual McGinn Group Food Drive!! (Columbia) 
Come see us at the Giant in the Hickory Ridge Village Center. Donate, grab a Free Cookie, and enjoy the live bands from the Treehouse School of Music!

Features talks, demos, workshops, art exhibitions, musical performances, vendors, hands-on activities for kids and more.

West Side Story (Baltimore) 
From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. Directed by its two-time Tony Award-winning librettist Arthur Laurents, WEST SIDE STORY remains as powerful, poignant and timely as ever. The new Broadway cast album of WEST SIDE STORY recently won the 2010 Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.

Maryland Hunt Cup (Reisterstown) 
Grab a picnic basket and a blanket or your favorite tailgate and enjoy steeplechase racing.

This extraordinary culinary adventure will be all the fun of a bacon themed block party mixed with a full scale festival experience. Join us as over 30 of the area's top restaurants and food trucks, several of the area's top bands, and thousands of the area's top food lovers gather to celebrate an American tradition

Boulevard of Chic (Baltimore) 
Boulevard of Chic (BOC) is Baltimore’s first and only fashion truck rally and shopping event. BOC is about more than shopping; it’s a celebration of the entrepreneurial spirit that has created a national trend in mobile retail.

Join the Conservancy for this annual day of service where participants will be planting trees, removing non-native invasive plants and cleaning up our streams. The Howard County Master Gardeners will be holding a plant sale during this event. Beginning at 11:00am the Master Gardeners will also be holding composting demonstrations and giving away rain barrels. There will be a children’s craft in the picnic area. FREE 

Come out for an exciting day designed to inspire women to live a more balanced, healthier and fulfilled life, featuring over 90 vendors and exhibitors, engaging seminars, and important free health screenings. Also, meet keynote speaker Jackie Newgent, RDN, CDN. Jackie is a clasically-trained chef, registered dietician, media personality, and award-winning cookbook author. Admission to WomenFest is free, and plenty of convenient, onsite parking is available.

April 27th


Artisans demonstrate skills from the 1800's. Food for sale; Farmhouse tours, Living History Center, Exhibit building and Museum Gift Shop open Noon-5pm. Museum season passes are honored.

Town-wide display of over 350 antique and custom cars, including DJ playing your favorite Golden Oldies, food and vendors. Event is free, but a $2 donation is requested to benefit Hospice of St. Mary's. Rain Date: May 4. Call 301-994-9666 for more details.

SFZ Salon Series (Gaithersburg) 
Music, Discussion and Wine A fusion of classical, contemporary and experimental chamber music in an intimate salon setting. An inspirational, creative sanctuary for both artists and audience encouraging great music and lively discussion.

Williams’ 18-piece band will perform music by notable jazz artists such as Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, Dizzy Gillespie and Thelonius Monk and others who made the big band sound of the 30s, 40s and 50s so memorable.

Kids and adults enjoy a fun afternoon while experiencing history amidst the stabilized ruins of this 19th- century girls’ school! Bring a picnic or buy food on site. Docent-led tours highlight new information learned about the school and its attendees, and there are fun events for people of all ages, including lawn games, costume try-ons, talks about local and women’s history and costumed historic interpreters. You can even participate in the archaeology dig in the kitchen midden and handle some of the 95,000 artifacts excavated at the site. Free parking and free shuttle from Circuit Court House parking lot. FREE, All ages.

Maryland Monday




This is a neighborhood in Western Howard County

They have a spectacular row of Bradford Pears

...and other flowering trees...





The Bradford Pears (an ornamental tree) are just finishing their full bloom right now. But their days are numbered, it never lasts very long. It's just a matter of days.

They are common in Maryland for their beautiful shape, their incredible show of flowers in the Spring - which lasts maybe one week, and their lovely Fall color. 

But they have a couple of problems:
  • In late Fall they drop nasty fruit that, although it doesn't smell, it splats and makes a mess. It is easy to identify cars that have parked under a Bradford Pear in November. And lots of people plant Bradford Pears beside their driveways...
  • When they are young they are gorgeous, but as they mature, their limbs begin to break, and whole sections of the tree will just break off, destroying the symmetry they are prized for. Consequently, you see fewer Bradford Pears used for new landscaping these days.

Weekends on Wednesday (Easter Weekend)

 Opening this Week:


By the Way, Meet Vera Stark (Baltimore) 
Enter Vera Stark, a determined and headstrong African American maid to a white movie star. But it turns out that Vera is an actress, too! When the stars align and both actresses are cast in the same Southern epic, the story behind the cameras leaves Vera with an unexpected and debated legacy scholars will question for decades to come. Deliciously funny and wildly entertaining.

In bucolic Bucks County, PA, Vanya and his sister Sonia have frittered their lives away living in the same farmhouse where they were raised. Their quiet existence of unease and regret, however, is rocked by the arrival of their glamorous movie star sister (and landlord) Masha, and her hunky boy toy, Spike. As their visit unfolds, a lifetime of sibling rivalry explodes into a weekend of comedic pyrotechnics. Acclaimed playwright Christopher Durang (The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Sister Mary Ignatius…, Center Stage’s My America) weaves Chekhovian themes and modern wit into an unforgettable experience critics have hailed as “a sublime state of hilarity” (New York Magazine). Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is a co-production with Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

A selection of 10 drawings from the 1960s and 70s by contemporary masters David Hockney, Willem de Kooning, Robert Rauschenberg, and others reveals there are as many approaches to the human figure as there are artists. This is the second exhibition from the Museum's Thomas E. Benesch Memorial Collection, a group of more than 140 outstanding drawings by international contemporary artists.



Want to go to an Easter Egg Hunt, Easter Parade, Easter Train Ride, or other Easter event in Maryland?  Here is a list!


This weekend:


Awesome Con D.C. (Washington Convention Center)  
What do a retired NASA astronaut, two of the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers, actor Cary Elwes and party-rocker Andrew W.K. have in common? They're among the small galaxy of personalities who will appear during Awesome Con D.C., a three-day celebration of comic books, science fiction, art and music at the Washington Convention Center. The event runs Friday from 3 to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.awesomecondc.com for a full list of guest appearances and events.
 

April 19th:


The Grand National is the most demanding three mile timber race—a critical difference, as the shorter distance means racing faster over eighteen unyielding obstacles.

Organic Gardening Workshop (Upper Marlboro)  
In a world of monoculture crops and uncertainty about where our food comes from, growing our own organic food can be an excellent and often cheaper alternative. Vegetable gardening is also a great way to teach children where their food comes from and is an all around great family activity. If you've never started a garden before and want to learn, this program is for you or if you'd like to learn to garden without pesticides and natural fertilizers, we recommend this workshop. Wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather!

Earth Day Celebration (Elk Neck State Park) 
Come out and do your part for Earth Day! Help in various capacities in the park and afterwards enjoy a live animal program featuring some of Maryland's most common birds of prey and reptiles. Meet in the North East Beach Area. Call for more details.

Musing at the Bromo (Baltimore) 
Every 3rd Saturday, 2pm, 11th Floor.  Free live music, drinks and good vibes

Chesapeake anglers excited about the start of the rockfish season can enjoy their favorite sport and support three great causes by participating in the Annual Boatyard Bar & Grill Opening Day "Catch & Release" Rockfish tournament.

Help clean up Savage Park and get rewarded with heart pounding fun.  You get a free zip line or a giant swing or Terrapin Tower climb for your efforts.  Meet us at our base camp at Savage Mill and wear gloves and clothes that can get wet and dirty.  Good clean fun!

Kid Fest (Ellicott City) 
Come experience what Howard County Recreation & Parks has to offer your children at the 1st annual Kids Fest at Meadowbrook Park! Geared towards children 2-12 years old, this event features sports instruction, games, activities, arts & crafts, food and much more. The whole family is invited. Preregistration is encouraged but not required. $5 Registration

Ellicott City Spring Celebration (Historic Ellicott City) 
Don’t miss one of the best Spring Festivals in the region, our Annual Spring Celebration! 3 Stages of Live Music with 22+ bands, Craft Beer Gardens, Food, Family Activities, Shopping, & Free Earth Day Family Activities.

April 20th:


Join us for 10 races, three pony race, three flat races, four Timer Jump Race. Fun for the whole family. Live bands, carriage parade, lead line pony, pony rides, petting zoo, face painting, meet the Jockeys, and book signing.


Ongoing:


The Renoir Returns (Baltimore) 
More than 60 years after its theft from the BMA, Pierre-Auguste Renoir's On the Shore of the Seine (c. 1879) returns to public view!
 

Maryland Monday

Have you ever visited Brookside Gardens, in Wheaton?

It's lovely!

It's free!

And this is a wonderful time of year to visit. Repeatedly.

Spring in Maryland has to be truly experienced to be appreciated (ask anyone who suffers with allergies...). Brookside Gardens can be visited again and again to enjoy the different flowering trees and shrubs and plants that Maryland loves to display.







  




Weekends on Wednesday

Be sure to read up on the Croquet Match this weekend!

This Weekend:


Bay Bridge Boat Show (Stevensville) 
The 2014 Bay Bridge Boat Show has added a family-friendly theme celebrating on-the-water fun. This is the first opportunity of the year for experienced and novice boaters to shop for the latest in equipment, electronics, clothing and boating accessories. Boats of all sizes, from luxury yachts to fishing boats and inflatables are on display and several pro surf shops will exhibit.

10th Annual Fell's Point Privateer Festival (Baltimore)
Come honor the maritime history of Fell’s Point and the patriotic privateer fleet and celebrate the 'pirate' fantasy of sailing lore. A weekend full of family-friendly activities from Thames Street Park and Ann Street Pier to Broadway Square, Broadway Pier! Entry is FREE!

Ghost the Musical (Baltimore) 
GHOST The Musical follows Sam and Molly, a young couple whose connection takes a shocking turn after Sam’s untimely death.

Orioles vs. Blue Jays (Baltimore)
The Baltimore Orioles take on the Toronto Blue Jays.

7th Annual PEEPshow (Westminster) 
Enjoy hundreds of wacky marshmallow masterpieces created by local artists, families, business, and community groups. This is an amazing event and has even been featured on the NBC Nightly News. Peeps themed souvenirs and refreshments will be on sale throughout the PEEPshow. You may even be able to purchase your favorite creation to take home with you after the show!

Enchanted Cherrybration Weekend (Ellicott City )  
Celebrate Howard County’s “Cherrybration” Days at our farm with lots of pink pizzazz. All children in a family will get a free hay ride if at least one person in the family is dressed as a pink princess.  Children may also dress up in princess gowns we have at the farm for a photo opportunity with “Princess Cherrybella”.  On Saturday and Sunday from 10 AM to 2 PM, Martha Clark will sign the great new book The Enchanted Forest: Memories of Maryland's Storybook Park. To round out our weekend of activities, we will have a Truly Pink Treasure Hunt in the Enchanted Forest MAZE on both days.  You will need to find 12 pink things in the MAZE.  Think pink!!!

April 11th:


George Kilby Jr. & The Road Dogs (Baltimore) 
Great blues from Pinetop Perkin's veteran guitarist and vocalist.

Visions of Hope Opening Reception (Columbia) 
This juried theme art exhibition runs from April 10-27, 2014 with works that honor and celebrate James Rouse's spirit as a visionary. It will feature dozens of works by gifted local artists that bring beauty and hope to those in our community coping with cancer. The exhibition includes paintings, collages, ceramics, photographs, and more!

April 12th:


Decanter (Baltimore) 
The Maryland Wineries Association presents DECANTER—the 4th annual event to highlight the heritage and tradition of both Maryland wine and Maryland horse racing—on April 12-13, 2014 at historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, home of the Preakness Stakes. Enjoy a view of live horse races from the Grandstand, samples of fine Maryland wine, great food, and wine & equine focused arts & crafts at Pimlico Race Course. Enjoy [and bet on] live turf and dirt racing throughout the day from the perspective of Pimlico’s Grandstand, or get track-side on the apron.

The 32nd Annual St. John's - USNA Croquet Match (Annapolis) 
Bring your picnic baskets, fancy hats, dancing shoes, and all the family. Food, soft drinks, beer, wine, and champagne will be available for cash-only purchase. 

Sole of the City 10k (Baltimore) 
The after-run festivities will be sponsored by our good friends at the Greene Turtle. We can’t wait to see you! This year, your race entry will support The Erika Brannock Fund.  Erika a 29 year old preschool teacher from Towson, Maryland who was seriously injured during the Boston Marathon Bombings on April 15, 2013.

Jazz for Kids (Baltimore) 
Observe Jazz Appreciation Month by taking a fun-filled musical journey with teaching artist Culture Kingdom Kids. Learn about different jazz genres through storytelling, dance, craft activities, and interactive music with a real jazz musician.

Main Street Heat Chili Cook-Off (Mount Airy)  
10am to 5 pm  ICS sanctions competition with chili tasting, music, contests, great food, beer tent, and vendors. Our cook-off winners in the Red, Green and Salsa categories go on to compete in the National Championship. At 11am registration begins for a corn-hole tournament with prizes.

Easter Egg Hunt (Westminster) 
Join the Easter Bunny at the Annual Egg Hunt at WESTMINSTER CITY PARK (behind 11 Longwell Avenue). The first hunt will start at 10:30 am for ages one to four years. The second hunt is for ages five to eight years and begins at 11:30 am. There are over 4,000 plastic filled eggs with 100 special prize eggs. The hunts are FREE and open to the public. Bring a basket! A bunny petting zoo is also offered. Face painting, basket raffles, and food will be available for purchase. Call 410-848-9161 for more information. PRE REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

Backyard Chickens: Coop to Coop Tour (Howard County) 
A free program presented by the Howard County Conservancy. Ever think about keeping chickens? Dreaming of fresh eggs that taste so much better than store-bought? Journey through a self-guided tour of Howard County backyard chickens and their coops. There are 9 locations to visit at your leisure… all over Howard County. You will be delighted to meet enthusiastic chicken keepers and learn all about their varieties of chickens and unique coops.

Night Bite Fishing (Centennial Lake) 
Have you ever wanted to fish Centennial Lake at NIGHT? Now’s your chance for only $5! Join Howard County Recreation and Parks for a unique opportunity to fish the lake after hours. Bring your own fishing pole, bait, tackle, bug repellent, flashlight or lantern, chair or boat. Advanced registration is encouraged and on-site registration will be available. Under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

April 13th:


The War of 1812 on the Patuxent River (Huntingtown) 
Ben Krause, military history scholar, discusses the effects of the War of 1812 on the Calvert County riverfront. After the lecture, enjoy a casual paddle in nearby creeks. Free program, supported by a grant from Patuxent River Appreciation Days. Kayak rental costs.

Ongoing:


Baltimore National Heritage Walking Tour (Baltimore)
The city's oldest urban trail leads visitors through three distinct areas of Baltimore: the Inner Harbor, Little Italy, and historic Jonestown. The route passes by the USS Constellation, Star-Spangled Banner Flag House, Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture, the Carroll Mansion, and the Jewish Museum of Maryland.