50 Ways to Leave Your Summer
Summer gets all the love. But does summer love you back? Not so much this year, with July and August setting cruelty records.
Autumn is clearly Chesapeake Country’s best season. With summer’s humidity wrung out, the air is light, skies often blue and leaves full of color. Maybe it’s time to let go that summer crush.
This issue Bay Weekly shows you how, with 50 Ways to Leave Your Summer, a chronology of fun, fare and festivals stretching from the autumnal equinox to Thanksgiving.
1. Take a Walk on the Wild Side
Artists and performers push the Annapolis Arts District into the fringe with flings from body painting to burlesque, music and mania as Annapolis Fringe Festival returns. Saturday night brings the high heel race (7pm) and street party (7pm-midnight, $5-$20). First block of West Street off Church Circle, Annapolis. Sept. 21-24: www.fringe
festivalannapolis.com.
2. Find Your Next Favorite Book
Baltimore Book Festival brings more than 200 local, regional and national authors to 12 stages for reading, panel discussions, cooking demos and workshops — plus over 100 exhibits, local food and drink, live music and children’s activities. Headliners include Terry McMillan, Carl Hiaasen and Luvvie Ajayi. Sept. 23-25, 11am-7pm thru the Inner Harbor: www.baltimorebookfestival.org.
3. Hike on the Equinox
We pass from summer to fall with the autumnal equinox at 10:21am on Thurs., Sept. 22, when the sun spends equal time above and below the horizon, balancing light and darkness. Bid summer farewell as you breathe in the fresh air of a new season on a weekend hike. Sat. Sept. 24, 4-7pm, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian: $2 (or $8/family), rsvp: 410-741-9330.
4. Spend the Weekend on the Eastern Shore
Chestertown River Fest brings illuminated sculptures, kayak and canoe races, paddlers poker run, river tours, rowing and paddling demos, a cardboard boat race, food and drink sellers, live music, arts and crafts to the scenic Chester River waterfront. Sept. 23 & 24: www.chestertownriverarts.org.
Choptank Heritage Skipjack Race gathers Maryland’s surviving skipjack fleet for racing on the river under sail; plus radio-controlled skipjack regatta; crafts and food sold. Sept. 24. Cambridge: www.skipjack-nathan.org/Events/currentrace.html.
Follow the Monarchs as Chesapeake Wildlife Heritage staff teaches you about the migrating habits of these long-distance fliers; plus learn to tag them. Sept. 24, 10:30am, Barnstable Hill Farm, Chester, free, rsvp: 410-822-5100.
8th Annual Art in the Park celebrates local artists and artisans with live music, food and drink. Visit the Artists at Work Studio to see the work of 20 local artists. Sept. 24, 10am-4pm, Historic Stevensville: 410-604-1230.
5. Remember Kunta Kinte
Celebrate African-American heritage and cultures at the Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival with music, dance, arts and crafts, traditional foods and children’s tent. Sat. Sept. 24, 10am-7pm, City Dock, Annapolis, free: www.kuntakinte.org.
6. Step Back in Time
Return to 1526, visiting the village of Revel Grove just as King Henry and his Queen, Katherine of Aragon, and royal court at the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Immerse yourself in 16th century, dressing, eating, quaffing, browsing and buying wares, joining in entertainment and celebration, giving the kids good outdoors fun. Themed weekends Sept. 24-25, Oct.: 1-2; 8-9; 15-16; 22-23, 10am-7pm: rain or shine, Revel Grove, Crownsville, $24 w/age discounts: www.rennfest.com.
7. Jazz It Up!
The spirits of Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald reunite in the persons of Broadway actors Trent Armand Kendall and Anita Jackson in Kendall’s Louis-and-Ella! A musical story featuring the jazz great’s most memorable songs. Sun. Sept. 25, 7pm, Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts, Annapolis:, $40: http://liveartsmaryland.org.
8. Eat, Drink and Save the Bay
Burgers and Brews for the Bay combines local food and libations with a message of sustainability while raising funds for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Eat from seven different stations highlighting local, pasture-raised meats and dairy, along with local veggies, each paired with a regional craft beer. Live bluegrass music, hayrides, fish printing, educational stations and homemade root beer floats with ice cream from a local dairy make it family friendly. Sun. Sept. 25, noon-4pm, Clagett Farm, Upper Marlboro, $60 w/discounts, rsvp: www.cbf.org.
9. Raise a Stein for Oktoberfest
Eastport Oktoberfest includes a Beer Can Regatta ($10, rsvp), food, live music, and plenty of beer. Rubber ducks race every hour. Portion of proceeds benefits the Back Creek Conservancy. Sat. Sept. 24, 11am-6pm, Eastport Democratic Club: www.chesapeakeoutdoor.org.
The 26th West Annapolis Oktoberfest steps up with a two-block festival featuring the Oom Pa Pa Band, arts and crafts vendors, German food and beer and the West Annapolis Elementary Fall Festival. Sun. Sept. 25, 10am-5pm, Annapolis St.: [email protected].
Hard Bargain Farm Oktoberfest welcomes fall with performances by the Alt Washingtonian Schuhplattlers, German food and beer, hay wagon rides along the Potomac River, apple cider pressing and crafts in the historic cabin. Oct. 8, 1-6pm, Alice Ferguson Foundation, Accokeek, $15 w/discounts, rsvp: www.fergusonfoundation.org/hard-bargain-farm
Duckfest hosts the Ryan Forrester Band, games, a yodeling contest, face painting and authentic German food and beer. Benefits United Way of Calvert County and Southern Maryland Center for Independent Living. Sun. Oct. 9, 1-6pm, Ruddy Duck Brewery, Solomons, $20 w/discounts, rsvp: www.unitedwaycalvert.org.
10. Pick a Pumpkin
Grab your gourds before the Farmers markets close. Anne Arundel County ends its Tuesday market on Sept. 27; SaSu markets run thru December. In Calvert County you can still catch the North Beach Friday market thru Oct., the Barstow, Prince Frederick and Solomons markets are open thru Nov. You can also choose pumpkins at most fall festival sites, including Greenstreet Gardens in Lothian, Knightongale Farm in Harwood, Homestead Gardens in Davidsonville and Montpelier Farms in Upper Marlboro.
11. Visit a County Fair
The Calvert County Fair is a combination of carnival, midway, concert stage and agricultural exposition. See judged displays of home-canning, baking and crafts, with special events daily, including competitions for Calvert Idol, children’s contests, crowning Miss Tranquility and Lord Calvert, tractor pulls and concerts. Sept. 28-Oct. 2. Fairgrounds, Barstow: www.calvertcountyfair.com.
12. Catch a Concert
Birth of the Beat, a musical tour thru the cities where the American beat was born, opens the South County Concert Association fall season. Thurs. Sept. 29, 7:30pm, Southern High School, Harwood, $20: www.southcountyconcerts.org.
Lovers and Dreamers, featuring violinist Midori, opens the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra season. Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, 8pm, Maryland Hall, Annapolis. $10-$60, rsvp: www.annapolissymphony.org
13. Spend an Evening with Edgar Allan Poe
Behind a locked wooden door and along the antique staircase of the Hammond-Harwood House hang portraits of the Pinkney family, who lived in the mansion from 1806 to 1811. Their young nephew, Edward Coote Pinkney, would have played with his cousins in the grand gardens and elegant rooms. Pinkney became an inspiration to Edgar Allan Poe, who used Pinkney’s poem, A Health, to woo a love interest in 1848. On this interactive tour, enjoy an evening program in the ballroom led by a modern Edgar Allan Poe; then meet in the wine cellar to hear Poe excerpts and enjoy libations by candlelight. Sept. 30 & Oct. 1, 6:30pm & 8pm, $50 w/discounts, rsvp: 410-263-4683 x10.
14. Take a Haunted Tour
Take a ghostly tour of Maryland’s capital city. Step inside the James Brice House and into its parlor, where many entered and some died. Sept. 30-Oct. 29, 7:30-9pm, Historic Annapolis Museum, $22 w/discounts, rsvp: www.annapolis.org.
15. Warm Up in the Garden
Sample chili while enjoying live music, a classic car show, family activities, beer and wine at Annmarie Gardens’ Chili in the Garden: A Chili Cook-off and Classic Car Show. Awards for best chili and hottest cars. Sat. Oct. 1, 9am-3pm, Annmarie Gardens, Solomons, $3 w/discounts; $5 chili tasting (5 samples or 15 for $12): www.annmariegarden.org.
16. See the State Sport
Watch the Maryland State Jousting Championship at the Crownsville fairgrounds, Sat. Oct. 1. Or see the brave knights compete at the Maryland Renaissance Festival, celebrating its 40th year of taking us back in time, weekends thru Oct. 23.
17. Branch Out Your Family Tree
The Third Annual Family History Festival is the best day of the year to learn how to trace your family tree, as state archivists set up displays and give workshops on how to begin, where to find documentation and how to preserve historic documents, all for free; food trucks on hand for lunch. Sat. Oct. 1, Maryland State Archives, Annapolis: www.msa.maryland.gov/msa/homepage/html/festival2016.html.
18. Celebrate the Earth
At the Third Annual Blue/Green Festival for the restoration of Back Creek, hear music by Hangman’s Faire, the Weems Creek Jammers and the Annapolis Morning Song Circle; tour the watershed restoration project and environmental exhibits; enter the raffle and buy at the bake sale; spend contemplative time walking the labyrinth. Sat. Oct. 1, 11am-3pm, St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Eastport, free: www.stlukeseastport.org.
19. Sample Wine at Sotterley
Sample wines at the 14th annual Riverside WineFest, listen to live music and tour the grounds and garden of this national historic landmark. Sat. Oct. 1, noon-6pm, & Sun. Oct. 2, noon-5pm, Historic Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood, $25 w/discounts: sotterley.org.
20. Stroll a Street Festival
Join the party on West Street, Annapolis, for the First Sunday Arts Festival. Eat and drink, enjoy live music, street performers, over 100 artists and crafters and sidewalk dining; leashed pets welcome. Free parking at State Garage on Calvert and Bladen St. Sun. Oct. 2, 11am-5pm, Annapolis: firstsundayarts.com.
21. Play at Kinderfest
Families join in child-focused festivities at Kinderfest, programs and entertainment including roving clowns, costumed characters, a magician, dancers, singers, carnival games; ride the Watkins Park carousel and miniature train and ponies and hay wagons; make scarecrows; gobble up sweet treats and savory refreshments (food sold). Sun. Oct. 2, noon-5pm, Watkins Regional Park, Upper Marlboro, free (fees for some activities): www.pgparks.com/Kinderfest.htm.
22. Visit Kinder Farm Park
Enjoy hayrides, visit with the farm animals, square dance, make scarecrows, peruse arts and crafts, feast on food and more at the Fall Harvest Festival. Sat. Oct. 8, 10am-4pm, Kinder Farm Park, Millersville, free: www.kinderfarmpark.org.
23. Tuck into a Church Supper
Sit down to an old-fashioned ham and fried oysters dinner with potatoes au gratin, green beans, homemade coleslaw, rolls and biscuits, beverages and pies; take out, too, except for the fellowship ($22). Sat. Oct. 8, 1-5pm, St. James Parish, Lothian: [email protected].
24. Run or Walk for a Cause
Whether you are a weekend run warrior or a stroller-around-the-park walker, you’ll enjoy the breathtaking views of the Patuxent River as you make your way through this historical park during the inaugural JPPM 5K Run/Walk. Sat. Oct. 15, 7am registration, 8am race, Jefferson Patterson Park, St. Leonard, $35 w/discounts, rsvp: www.jefpat.org.
25. Dine on the Harvest of a Sharing Garden
Share in an evening of good food grown, prepared and served by neighbors preserving the last farm on the Broadneck Peninsula, Goshen Farm. The gardeners of the Goshen Farm Preservation Society supply produce and herbs from their vegetable plots to make the homemade tomato sauce complementing homemade meatballs and pasta (or spaghetti squash) for the annual harvest dinner, complete with bread, side dishes, desserts and beverages. Sat. Oct. 15, 5-7:30pm at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Arnold. $10 w/age discounts; benefits farm preservation: http://goshenfarm.org/events/harvest-dinner.
26. Pet a Giant Spider
Visit the Home of the Spiders to hop hayrides ($4) and pick pumpkins from the patch (priced individually), ride ponies ($5), navigate corn maze ($4) and get the feel of fall on a 90-acre working farm. Weekends thru Oct. 30, 10am-5pm, Knightongale Farm, Harwood: www.knightongalefarm.com.
27. Tour Farms
Explore Southern Maryland’s agricultural heritage at the Calvert County Farm Tour. Take hayrides, get lost in a corn maze, pick a pumpkin, hear live music, sample wines and more at six locations: Double Oak Farm at American Chestnut Land Trust, Prince Frederick (Sun. only); Horsmon Farm, St. Leonard; Fridays Creek Winery, Owings; Perigeaux Vineyards and Winery, St. Leonard; Spider Hall Farm, Prince Frederick; Swann Farms, Owings (Sat. only); Oct. 15-16, 11am-5pm, free: 410-535-4583.
28. Find Your Dream Boat
The annual U.S. Boat Shows in Annapolis are Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory for boat lovers. Hundreds of boats, including the newest models of many top lines, are on display in the water, tethered along a mile and a half of floating docks. On land is about every piece of equipment you could need. Demos and lectures; food and drink, too. U.S. Sailboat Show Oct. 6-10; U.S. Powerboat Show Oct. 13-16, Annapolis. $18 per day w/ age discounts: www.annapolisboatshows.com.
29. Dine in the Field
Sit down for an elegant outdoor feast from local farms, chefs, wineries and brewers; at Calvert County’s The Cage; $145 benefits Calvert County Farm Bureau Young Farmers Sambo Swann and Phyllis Harmon scholarship fund. Thurs. Oct. 6, cocktails 4:30, dinner 6pm: www.calvertfarmbureau.com/dining-in-the-field.
30. Feast Local
Sample the dishes and drinks of local restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries at Taste of South County; live music by Just Us. Thurs. Oct. 6, 6-9pm, Historic London Town, Edgewater, $35, rsvp: www.tasteofsouthcounty.org.
Dig into dishes from 28 North Anne Arundel County restaurants and caterers, taste beers and wines and enjoy live music at the Taste of North County. Thurs. Oct. 6, 6-8pm, La Fontaine Bleue, Glen Burnie, $30, rsvp: web.naaccc.com/events.
Taste the fare of the diverse places to eat in this waterfront community at the Harvest Taste of Solomons. Sat. Oct. 22, 11am-4pm, Solomons Boardwalk: www.solomonsmaryland.com.
31. Dream of Steam (Travel)
Visit Calvert Marine Museum for Talks on Vanished Steamboats: The Maritime Art of C. Leslie Oursler. Dr. Ralph Eshelman discusses how steamboat wharves and landings became the focal point of social and commercial activity on the waterfront. With the move to automobiles and trains and consequent decline in steamboating, the social and commercial fabric of this region changed; however the evidence of this era remains. Fri. Oct. 7, 7pm, Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, free: www.calvertmarinemuseum.com.
32. Be A-Mazed
Corn mazes abound during the harvest time. Get lost in (or lose the kids) at Homestead Gardens, Davidsonville (weekends thru Oct. 29); Greenstreet Gardens (weekends thru Oct. 30); Knightongale Farm, Harwood (weekends in Oct.); Sunrise Farm, Gambrills (weekends thru Oct. 30); and Montpelier Farms, Upper Marlboro (Fridays in Oct., weekends thru Nov. 6).
33. Appreciate Your River
Patuxent River Appreciation Days gets you in the groove of Maryland’s intrastate river, with river-directed exhibits and activities for all ages, including arts and crafts, books and music, free boat rides; food and drink sold. Oct. 8 & 9; Parade Su 2pm. Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, free: www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/311/PRAD.
34. Sins and Secrets at London Town
Pirates, murder and scandal aplenty greet you on this adults-only after-hours tour of Historic London Town and Gardens. You’ll explore the dark underbelly of history as you walk the streets of the long dead seaport, discovering its more salacious stories. Learn about headless chickens, forgotten cemeteries, drunken escapades, sheep pirates and death by fowl. Adult drinks and ghoulish appetizers included. Oct. 14 & 28, 6-8pm, Historic London Town, Edgewater, $25 w/discounts, rsvp: historiclondontown.org.
35. Honor Our Ancestors
Celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of Native Americans at the eighth year of the American Indian Festival, with live performances of traditional and contemporary music, dancing, drumming, singing and storytelling. Try your hand at beading, finger weaving, flint knapping, archery, crafts and games. Sat. Oct. 15, 10am-4pm, Patuxent River Park, Upper Marlboro, free (fee for some activities, food sold): 301-627-6074.
36. Go Wild for Animals
Learn about the groundbreaking research at the Patuxent Refuge. During the Wildlife Festival, you can see endangered animals, make crafts, take tram tours and get a behind-the-scenes look at the whooping crane program. Sat. Oct. 15, 10am-3pm, National Wildlife Visitor Center, Laurel, free: 301-497-5760.
37. Eat an Oyster — Or a Dozen
With its cooler temperatures, Oct. begins the season of the oyster in Chesapeake Country. For the next six months, cold and all, oystermen resume their traditional labor, harvesting Crassostrea virginica in the wild. Nowadays, aquaculture extends our native oyster’s season all year long. But they always taste best when there’s a nip in the air. Thus oyster festivals are in season, too. To call yourself a citizen of Chesapeake Country, you’ve got to hit at least one.
The annual Holland Point Oyster Roast is a community feast of oysters raw, roasted and steamed, plus pit beef and sides, beer and wine. Sat. Oct. 8, 1-4pm, at Loveless Center, Holland Point. $30 w/discounts: www.hollandpoint.org.
The U.S. Oyster Festival returns for its 50th year with the National Oyster Contest and the National Shucking Championship, whose winner goes to international competition in Galway, Ireland. Oct. 15 & 16, St. Mary’s County fairgrounds, Leonardtown: www.visitstmarysmd.com/features/50th-annual-us-oyster-festival-in-st-marys-county-md.
Captain Avery Oyster Festival makes a day of it with local restaurants serving their oyster best — including Japanese style from Umai; local arts and crafts, authors and bands; plus Choose It! auction of goods and services by museum supporters. Sun. Oct. 16, 12:30-5pm, Shady Side, $6 w/discounts.
Aww … Shucks Oyster Social with heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer, live music and silent auction, to support restoration of skipjack Dee’s mast. Calvert Marine Museum. Sun. Oct. 29, 4-7pm, Solomons, $75: 410-326-2042 x 62.
St. Michael’s Oysterfest, Sun. Oct. 29, 10am-4pm, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, $18 w/discounts: http://cbmm.org/event/oysterfest-2
Deale Volunteer Fire Department Oyster Roast serves all the oysters you can eat — on the half-shell, steamed, fried, frittered and stewed — along with country dinners, beer and games of chance. Sat. Nov. 5, 1pm-5pm, $45: www.deale42.com.
38. Celebrate the Age of Sail
Tall ships are the reason for festive celebration at Cambridge Schooner Rendezvous, with a parade of sails, dockside tours and rides, historic walking tours, maritime merchants, food and drink. Oct. 21-23, 10am-5pm, Long Wharf at the foot of High Street, Cambridge: www.cambridgeschoonerrendezvous.com.
39. Shudder at the Sounds of the Season
Hear Spooky Sounds, Haunted Harmonies with the Londontowne Symphony Orchestra and the Chesapeake Youth Symphony Orchestra. Oct. 16, 3pm, Annapolis High School, $20 w/discounts: www.lso-music.org.
An annual favorite, the Halloween/ All Saints Concert at USNA features organist Monte Maxwell, dancers and special effects. Oct. 28 & 29, 8pm, USNA Chapel, $29 w/discounts, rsvp: www.navyperforms.showare.com.
40. Survive a Local Haunt
Six Flags America has a festive fall harvest feel during the day, with friendly ghosts for kids of all ages. At 6pm, the park goes dark with Halloween terror including haunted houses, scare zones, live shows and themed rides. Sept. 24-Oct. 31. $40.99 w/discounts: https://frightfest.sixflags.com/america
Walk among Witches in the Woods, the 18th annual Ghosts of Sotterley fully acted celebration of the spooky. Oct. 21-29, Historic Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood, $15, rsvp: www.sotterleyplantation.com.
Haunted barn and hayrides so spooky you’ll brag about surviving. Oct. 15-30, Fridays and Saturdays, Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, Crownsville, $15: www.aacountyfair.org.
41. Do the Crop Hop
Tour Southern Maryland farms by bicycle to trace the connection between farms, fresh food and good health. Riders on four routes (including kid-friendly options), ranging in length and difficulty, visit seven locations including a winery, a dairy, an alpaca farm, livestock and produce farms. Enjoy food grown and raised locally at each stop and the after-ride picnic at the Seventh District Optimist Club Park (11:30am-3pm). Non-riders welcome to lunch ($20). Sat. Oct. 22. Routes begin in St. Mary’s County; route and registration details TBA: www.crophop.com.
42. Costume Your Dog
Howl-o-Ween at Calvert Animal Welfare League invites pets and kids and pets for professional photos, ghost hunt, yard/bake sale, plus animal wares and adoptions. Sat. Oct. 22, 11am-3pm, Prince Frederick: 410-535-9300.
Hound of the Town (noon-2pm) & Boo Bash (3-5pm), dogs first, then people, dress for the season for a parade, trick-or-treating and costume judging with treats handed out by local businesses. Sat. Oct. 22, North Beach Boardwalk, Hounds $7 w/advance discounts; benefits Calvert Animal Welfare League; kids free: 301-855-6681; www.northbeach.org
Doggie in Disguise Scavenger Hunt invites costumed dogs and human companions to figure out clues for collect dog treats and toys on an interactive scavenger hunt sponsored by Paws Pet Boutique and benefitting Ben’s Memorial Fund. Oct. 29, 11am-1pm, thruout historic Annapolis, $35: 412-841-2433 or [email protected]
Howl-O-Ween Barkin Bash is another chance to dress up your pup for contests, raffles, demos, food vendors and doggie socializing. Sat. Oct. 29, 11am-3pm, Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, free: 410-222-1777.
43. Escape the Zombie Horde
It’s an epidemic invasion as the living dead spread to Kinder Park once again! Will you escape the brain eaters as they stalk you along the 5K trail and reach the Drop Dead Zone without becoming infected with the zombie virus? Sat. Oct. 29: Zombie Registration 8:30am, runner registration 9am, run 10am-noon, Kinder Farm Park, Millersville, zombies $20, runners $50 w/discounts: http://bit.ly/KinderZombieRun.
44. Trick and Treat in the Garden
Dress the family (no pets) for trick-or-treating on the wooded garden path, where costumed spirits hand out candy or treats; enjoy free spooky art activities and more; buy devilishly delicious food and drink; photo opportunities abound. 17th Annual Halloween in the Garden, Sat. Oct. 29, 11am-4pm, Annmarie Garden, Solomons, $1 to benefit local charities: www.annmariegardens.org.
45. Historic Annapolis by Candlelight
A crisp autumn evening is the perfect time to walk through Annapolis’ historic neighborhoods, and it’s even better when the doors to some of these magnificent homes are open for you to step inside. See how 21st century Annapolitans care for and live in buildings from the 20th, 19th and 18th century. Nov. 4 & 5, 5-9pm, Historic Annapolis, $40 w/discounts, rsvp: www.annapolis.org.
46. Pick a Side in the Tug of War XIX
See or join the world’s longest (1,700 feet) International Tug of War over water in the continuing rivalry between the Maritime Republic of Eastport and Annapolis. Sat. Nov. 5: 10am to join team; festivities follow at City Dock, Annapolis and Chart House Restaurant, Eastport. Tug heats start at the crack of noon on either side of Spa Creek Bridge: $25 to tug, free to cheer: themre.org.
47. Dress Up for a Gala
CASAblanca is a premier black-tie event complete with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, dinner and dancing to support Court Appointed Advocates for Children of AACo. Sat. Nov. 5, 6-11pm, Westin Annapolis Hotel, $175, rsvp: www.aacasa.org.
The Great Gatsby Gala, also known as the Harvest Ball, is a black-tie charity event with cocktails, dinner and dancing to benefit the Family Birth Center. Sat. Nov. 5 , 6pm-midnight, Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel, $250, rsvp: www.calverthospital.org/FoundationHarvestBall.
48. Honor a Veteran
Celebrate those who serve or have served in the military. Traditional Veterans Day ceremony includes the Anne Arundel Community College Color Guard and Taps; reception follows. Fri. Nov. 11, 11am, AACC, Arnold, free: aacc.edu/military
49. Build in Gingerbread
Sat. Nov. 12 is the last day to register for the annual gingerbread house contest at Darnall’s Chance. Does your edible creation stand up to the competition? You still have to time to create and deliver your architectural masterpiece by Nov. 20. Houses, RVs and castles on display Nov. 25 thru December 11. Entry forms: 301-952-8010; [email protected]; http://bit.ly/BayWeeklyGingerbread
50. Run for Fun and Fitness
Race for good causes, to win prizes — and justify your share of Halloween candy, Thanksgiving stuffing and pies.
Cold Turkey 10K: Sun., Nov. 20, 8am, Arundel High School, Gambrills, rsvp: annapolisstriders.org.
AACC Turkey Trot: Run 5K or take a one-mile jaunt; benefits AACC’s fitness scholarship. Bring canned goods for charity. Wed. Nov. 23: Registration from 10:30am, runs at noon, Siegert Field, AACC, Arnold, $25 5K; $20 one-mile w/discounts: aacc.edu/healthfitness/turkeytrot.cfm.
Strut Your Stuff Turkey Trot: Join Project Echo’s 5th annual 5K Run/Walk, to support the 24/7 transitional and emergency shelter in Prince Frederick. Thurs. Nov. 24: Registration 6-6:45am, trot 7am, Prince Frederick, $35 w/discounts: 5kturkeytrot.vpweb.com.
Y Turkey Trot: Families trot 5K with Greater Annapolis Family Y thru the AACC campus. Dogs welcome ($15). Thurs. Nov. 24: Registration 7:30am, race 8:30am, West Campus Drive entrance, Arnold; parking at Y: $35 w/discounts; rsvp: ymdturkeytrot.org/p/arnold.html.
Camp Letts’ Turkey Chase: Work up an appetite at Camp Letts’ 17th annual Turkey Chase, which helps send kids to summer camp. Thurs. Nov. 24: Registration 7:30am, 10K race 9am, 5K walk 10:15am, Camp Letts Rd., Edgewater, $35-$40: campletts.org.
Jug Bay Post Turkey Perambulation: Run 5K to benefit Recreation Deeds for Special needs. Fri. Nov. 25: Registration 8:30am, race 9:30am, Glendening Nature Preserve’s Plummer House, Lothian. $25 w/age discounts: www.jugbay.org.