Festivals
Fun at the Howard County Fair
August 10, 2009
Good news, fair-loving friends! One of my favorite annual summertime events, the Howard County Fair, is running now through next weekend. Expect animals, rides and plenty of delicious (and greasy) cuisine at this celebration of all things agricultural. Admission, by fair standards, is cheap -- $5 for people ages 10-61; $2 for seniors 62 and over; and FREE for children 10 and under -- and parking, which is available on-site, is free. Whatever you do, don't forget the stroller, as you'll be doing a lot of walking. Lots and lots and lots of walking. And though the kids might not mind the walking at first, particularly when they get a glimpse of the glimmering midway, they might change their tunes once they're full of cotton candy and exhausted to their wee, little cores. Another thing you should definitely remember, if you're planning on visiting the midway at mid-day: sunscreen. With not a speck of shade in sight, that midway, at about noontime, is scorching. Plan accordingly.
With so much fun stuff to do at the fair, you may, especially if you're attending with very young children, be forced to skip over something. What you absolutely don't want to skip over, however, is the aptly named "Kids and Critters" barn. In this barn, you'll find a wide variety of animals, many of which are babies, and all of which are adorable. You'll also find a corn pit, a straw jump and a face painting station, not to mention a table where your kids can make some farm-themed crafts. Still craving some more animal fun? Try a pig race or a pony ride.
And if you're looking for something a little different, why not check out this year's Iron Chef Cook-off, sponsored by the Farm-City Celebration Committee. It'll be held at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 13, right in front of the 4-H Building. This year's contestants, representing four Howard County high schools, will craft their masterpieces from fresh, locally grown produce provided byHammondale and Tranquility farms. The competition should prove quite titillating, though admittedly maybe not for your preschooler. May the best chef win!
Savor some of what our local farmers have to offer this season. Head on down the the Howard County Fair!
The Howard County Fair
2210 Fairground Road
West Friendship, MD
410-442-1022
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Weekend Highlights, 7/3-7/5
July 02, 2009
I don't know about you, but I'm feeling the red, white and blue right about now, what with all of the fun July 4 activities coming up this weekend. Following are some of my Independence Day weekend favorites. And if you're interested in more fireworks listings (and heck, who isn't?), please have a visit over here. Enjoy!
Star-Spangled Spectacular - Oregon Ridge Park, 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville
Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.
When I was a kid, this was my family's Fourth of July event, made irresistible by a picnic basket full of my mother's fried chicken and potato salad. "Stars and Stripes Forever," as performed by the BSO, always put me in the patriotic spirit, and the fireworks, which were synchronized to the music, never failed to knock my Minnetonkas right off. Fortunately, all these years later, nothing much about this event has changed; if you're looking for a fun and musical (though not cheap) way to spend your Independence Day, this might be your ticket.
African American Heritage Festival - Oriole Park at Camden Yards, 410-235-2227, ext. 211
Friday, 5- 10 p.m.; Saturday, 12-10 p.m.; Sunday, 12-8 p.m.
Drawing about half a million visitors each year, the African American Heritage Festival features fun for every member of the family. Stop by the Children's Corner for activities and entertainment, and don't miss En Vogue, Teena Marie and Anita Baker, all of whom are headlining the event. Oh, and did I mention the carnival rides? Or the mouthwateringly delicious food?
Towson Fourth of July Parade - Starting at Burke and Bosley Avenues, Towson, 410-832-2190
Saturday, 10:30 a.m.
The parade gets rolling with a Blue Angels fly-over, followed just after by a procession of lots of people on bicycles. Expect fire trucks, floats and numerous politicians, many of whom--let's be honest here--will be of little or no (let's just say no) interest to your preschooler. The firefighters, police officers and occasional storms of free candy, however, should keep your little one entertained.
USS Constellation Museum's 9th Annual Independence Day Deck Party - USS Constellation, Pier 301, Pratt Street, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, 410-539-1797
Saturday, 7-10 p.m.
Live music, barbecue grub, canon firings and fireworks. And when I say fireworks, I don't mean just any fireworks--we're talking the big Inner Harbor fireworks extravaganza, people! And all of this, need I remind you, will be served up on a boat! An old, historic boat, mind you! Can you envision a much better Independence Day celebration?
Fourth of July Family Jump - Pump It Up, 11515 Cronridge Drive #J-K, Owings Mills, 410-356-9050
Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Celebrate your independence by working up a sweat in an inflatable moon bounce. People of all ages (and yes, that includes you) are encouraged to jump together, and as an added incentive, Pump It Up is going to let the grown-ups play for free. This event is first come, first served, limited to 50 children, and contingent on your showing up with socks. Don't be late!
Drop-In Art Activities: Stars of Japan - The Walters Art Museum, 600 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, 410-547-9000
Saturdays (though not open on July 4) and Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Another month means another new drop-in art activity at the Walters. This month's focus is Tanabata, which, I just learned from Google, is a Japanese star festival.
Spaces and Places: Art under Foot: Ancient Mosaics - Baltimore Museum of Art, 10 Art Museum Drive, Baltimore, 2- 4 p.m., 443-573-1700
Sunday, 2-4 p.m
A new month means a new art activity at the BMA, too, and July's theme is mosaics.
Science Alive for Kids!- Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center, 1000 Frankfurst Avenue, Baltimore, 410-355-1100
Sunday, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Live animals, stories, puppets and crafts will bring science--as the name of the program suggests--to life for your little ones. Intended mostly for preschoolers, this event, which is one in a series, is designed to get young children thinking about and playing with science.
Excited as I am about the holiday weekend? I hope so! Now get out there and have some fun!
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Weekend Highlights: 5/22-5/24
May 21, 2009
Guess what? It's almost weekend time again. And this weekend is not just any weekend, for it's the unofficial start of the summer season. So bust out the sunscreen, shimmy into your swimsuit and fire up the barbeque grill. It's time to get this three-day party started!
Weekend Highlights, 5/8/09 - 5/10/09
May 07, 2009
Mothers, not surprisingly, figure prominently among many of this weekend's highlights. You'll find lots of fun stuff to do--for mothers, for children, and for everybody else--all over the Baltimore area this weekend. Enjoy!
Nature Nights - Eden Mill Nature Center, 1617 Eden Mill Road, Pylesville, 410-836-3050
Weekend Highlights, 4/24 - 4/26
April 23, 2009
Spring is HERE, baby, and the weather this weekend promises to be beautiful. Get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and take advantage of some of these exciting activities.
More of Our Favorite Activities and Things to Do in baltimore
Creatures & Critters:
Our Urban Jungle
Do, Re, Mi! Places to Hear, Sing & Play a Tune
Artistic Endeavors:
Our Favorite Art Venues
Room to Run:
Run, Jump & Wiggle Outdoors
Rainy & Quiet Days:
Cozy & Crazy Indoor Fun
A Sense of History:
Our City's Stories
Tot's Science Fair:
Science & Nature Sites
The Most Fun in Life Is Free!
The Best of... Our Top Can't-Live-Without Spots
The Voice of Being Savvy baltimore:
Laura Stallard Petza
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- The Weather Outside Is Frightful, and My Toddler's Being Spiteful (Volume Two): Five (More) Things to Do in Baltimore on a Less-Than-Perfect Day
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