50 Ways to Leave Your Summer
1 Take an Equinox Hike
We pass from summer to fall with the autumnal equinox at 4:02pm on Friday, September 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. 4-7pm, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, free, rsvp: 410-741-9330.
2 Hear Two Big Voices
Pack a picnic and outdoor seating to cross from summer into autumn enjoying the music of Troy Ramey — from NBC’s The Voice — and Bryan Frates, both singers whose careers prove that you can — with luck, work and good timing— live your dream; Frates F. Sept 22, 7-10pm, Calverton School, Huntington: $10. rsvp: www.calvertonschool.org
3 Kunta Kinte Festival
Celebrate African-American heritage and culture at the 28th annual Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival with music, dance, arts and crafts, traditional foods and children’s tent. Sept. 23, 10am-7pm, Susan Campbell Park, City Dock, Annapolis, free: www.kuntakinte.org.
4 S’mores with Scouts
Join the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland for a fall celebration with games, crafts, a 25-foot rock wall, candy apples and our favorite campfire treat — s’mores. Sept. 23, 10am-1pm, Camp Woodlands, Annapolis; Oct. 28, 10am-1pm, Camp Whippoorwill, Pasadena; $10 (includes Fall Patch), rsvp: www.gscm.org.
5 Tour Artists’ Studios
Explore the rolling farmland hills and Chesapeake shores as you visit the 17 artists of the Muddy Creek Artists Guild at work in their studios; a free illustrated guide helps you plan your tour. Artists offer refreshments, demos and music. Sept. 23-24, 11am-5pm: www.muddycreekartistsguild.org.
6 Meet Author Chimamanda Adichie for Maryland One Book
Every autumn, you can join thousands of Marylanders across the state in a giant book club, with discussions both in person (at many libraries) and online. This month, you can talk about this year’s One Book with its author. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — whose Purple Hibiscus was selected by the Maryland Humanities Council as Maryland’s 2107 One Book — joins her readers right here in Calvert County as well as in Gaithersburg and Baltimore.
Purple Hibiscus, Adichie’s debut novel, is the story of a family of privilege in Enugu, Nigeria, during the traumatizing days of a military coup. Its theme are the emotional turmoil of adolescence, the bonds of family and the bright hope of freedom. Purple Hibiscus won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize and the Hurston/Wright Legacy Award. Adichie was winner in 2008 of a MacArthur Genius Award. Her 2013 book Americanah was named one of the New York Times Top Ten Best Books of the Year. Her TED Talks are some of the most-viewed videos of all time.
Talk with Adichie Sun. Sept. 24 at the Baltimore Book Festival’s main Literary Salon at 2pm; Mon. Sept. 25 at Calvert High School in Prince Frederick at 7pm; or Tues. Sept. 26 at Gaithersburg High School at 7pm. rsvp: www.mdhumanities.org.
7 Savor Beer, Save Land
Enlarge your acquaintance with local brews while supporting a new campaign to preserve Holly Hill, the largest tract of unprotected land in Calvert County’s pristine Parkers Creek Watershed. Sip & Save with American Chestnut Land Trust and beer from four local and four state breweries. The jazz group The Junior Bryce Band plays, and Dream Weaver Café sells delicious local food. Take a butterfly walk and watch monarch tagging demos and tours of the farm and gardens; plus games, prizes and raffles. Sept. 23, 1-5pm, North Side Trailhead, Double Oak Farm, Prince Frederick, $20 w/discounts, rsvp: www.acltweb.org/index.php/index.php/
events/the-sip-save.
8 TrawlerFest
Find your dreamboat at TrawlerFest, an in-water display of powerboats plus first-class boating courses and demos, new marine products and services and more. Sept. 28-30, 10am-5pm, Bay Bridge Marina, Stevensville, $18 w/discounts; rsvp: www.passagemaker.com/
trawlerfest/bay-bridge-2017.
9 Calvert County Fair
The Calvert County Fair is a hometown 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, the crowning of Miss Tranquility and Lord Calvert, tractor pulls and concerts. Sept. 27-Oct. 1, Barstow: calvertcountyfair.com.
10 Calverton Golf Classic
Take a Friday off to compete on the greens. Sign up now for Calverton Golf Classic on Sept. 29, 9am, Oak Creek Golf Club, Upper Marlboro: $150 or $600/4, includes cart, golf, lunch and banquet. rsvp: www.calvertonschool.org.
11 Bid Farewell to Migrating Monarchs
Learn how your family can help monarch butterflies by watching with Calvert County naturalists, planting milkweed seeds and practicing netting techniques (three sessions offered). Watch the film Flight of the Monarchs between sessions. Sept. 30, 10am-3pm, Kings Landing Park, Huntingtown, $8 w/discounts, rsvp: www.calvertparks.org.
12 Deale VFD Crab Feast
All the steamed crabs you can eat, coleslaw, baked beans, corn, hamburgers, hot dogs, beer, soda, tea and lemonade; plus raffles, door prizes and crab races; all to benefit the volunteer fire department and rescue squad. Sept. 30, 5-10pm, $55, rsvp: 443-822-9468.
13 Raise a Stein for Oktoberfest
The 27th West Annapolis Oktoberfest opens two blocks for German snacking, drinking and arts and crafts vendors with music from The Oom Pa Pa Band. Sept. 24, 10am-5pm, Annapolis St.: www.facebook.com/WestAnnapolisBiz.
The Second Annual Duckfest beer and music festival hosts musical guests Run Catch Rain, Josh Airhart and the Ryan Forrester Band, and lots of games and contests including cornhole, giant beer pong, giant Jenga, yard-drinking contest, yodeling contest plus face painting for kids and plenty of authentic German food and beer; benefits United Way of Calvert County and Bay-CSS. Oct. 1, 1-6pm, Ruddy Duck Brewery, Solomons, $20 w/discounts, rsvp: www.unitedwaycalvert.org.
14 Harvest Fall Flowers & Herbs
Autumn brings out the crafters in us thanks to nature’s bounty of beautiful fall flowers. Decorate a pumpkin with dried flowers, make a flower crown or design a harvest wreath with herbs and everlastings. Fall Harvest Wreath workshop Oct. 7, 10am-1pm, $55; Fall English Tea, Oct. 14, noon-2pm, $30; Fall Harvest Day, Oct. 28, 10am-5pm, (fee for craft activities); Willow Oak Flower & Herb Farm, Severn: www.willoakherbs.com.
15 Eat Local, Eat Well
Taste of North County, dig into dishes from over 25 North Anne Arundel County restaurants and caterers, with beer, wine and live music. Oct. 3, 6-8pm, La Fontaine Bleue, Glen Burnie; $30, rsvp: web.naaccc.com/events.
Taste of South County, sample the dishes and drinks of local restaurants, caterers, wineries and breweries; live music by Just Us. Oct. 12, 6-9pm, Historic London Town, Edgewater, $35, rsvp: www.tasteofsouthcounty.org.
Harvest Taste of Solomons. Oct. 28, 11am-4pm, Solomons Boardwalk: www.solomonsmaryland.com.
16 U.S. Sail Boat and Power Boat Shows
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, all contained in an area of roughly five acres. Many of the boats you can board and explore. On land are even more boats as well as every piece of equipment you could need — or imagine you needed. Demos and lectures; food and drink. Sailboat Show Oct. 5-9; Powerboat Show Oct. 12-15, Annapolis; $18 per day w/age discounts: www.annapolisboatshows.com.
17 Maryland Jousting Championship
Watch riders aim their lances, six feet long and chiseled to the point of a needle, at a ring that may as well be a dust speck. Oct 7, 10am, Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds, Crownsville: http://marylandjousting.com/MJTAschedule.html.
18 Riverside WineFest at Historic Sotterley
Sample wines at the 15th annual Riverside WineFest, listen to live music and tour the grounds and garden of this national historic landmark. Oct. 7-8, noon-5pm, Historic Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood, $25 w/discounts: sotterley.org.
19 Oom-pah-pah
It’s Oktoberfest all season long at The Old Stein Inn in Edgewater. German-inspired musicians, both traditional and progressive, play every weekend. 1143 Central Ave., Edgewater: 410-798-6807.
20 Patuxent River Appreciation Days
River-directed exhibits and activities for all ages, including arts and crafts, boat building, live music, and free rides on the Wm. B. Tennison and Dee of St. Mary’s; food and drink sold. Oct. 7-8 with parade Sun. 2pm, Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, free: www.calvertmarinemuseum.com/311/PRAD.
21 Dining in the Field
Pull up a chair to dine al fresco along the Patuxent River at this elegant feast from local farms, chefs, wineries and brewers. Oct. 12, with cocktails at 4:30pm, dinner at 6pm. Briscoe Farm, St. Leonard; $165 benefits Calvert County Farm Bureau youth leadership programs: www.calvertfarmbureau.com/
dining-in-the-field.
22 Quiet Waters Art@the Park
Six dozen artists show their work, along with live music, food, craft beer, specialty wines and demos. Benefits Friends of Quiet Waters Park programs. Oct. 21-22, 10am-5pm, Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, $6 parking: www.fqwp.org.
23 See Little Women, the Opera
No Italian necessary for the Annapolis Opera production of Mark Adamo’s American opera Little Women, based on Louisa May Alcott’s beloved story of four sisters’ growing pains, tragedy and romance after the Civil War. Nov. 3, 8pm & Nov. 5, 3pm at Maryland hall for the Creative Arts, $25-100, rsvp: www.annapolisopera.org.
24 Take a Crash Course in Opera
You’ll learn more this month than you have in a lifetime at Annapolis Opera’s lead-up to its premiere presentation of Little Women in November.
Consider how the page is transformed to the stage, Oct. 3, 7pm, Severna Park Library … Listen in as opera company members join the book club discussion of Little Women: Oct. 4, 2pm, Crofton Library … Learn from opera artistic director Ronald J. Gretz how musical themes and motifs carry you through the story in the opera: Oct. 7, 3pm, Maryland Hall; Travel with Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Matteson into the genesis of Little Women in the lives of Alcott and her father: Oct. 29, 3pm, Maryland Hall … Consider with music authority Nancie Kennedy the tough job of an opera singer: Nov. 3, 6pm, & Nov. 5, 1pm, Maryland Hall … Finally, meet the composer: Mark Adamo talks about how he did it: Nov. 4, 5pm, Maryland Hall, $20, rsvp: www.annapolisopera.org.
25 Go Apple Picking
Nothing quite says fall like a fresh, crisp apple. Pick your own (and pumpkins, too) at Blades Orchard in Caroline County on the Eastern Shore. Make a day of it with a picnic, hayride and cider sampling. U-Pick every Sat. & Sun., noon-4pm thru October, Blades Orchard, Federalsburg: www.bladesorchard.com.
26 Slurp Up Oysters
With its cooler temperatures, October begins the season of the oyster in Chesapeake Country. For the next six months, oystermen resume their traditional labor, harvesting Crassostrea virginica in the wild. Thus, oyster festivals are in season, too.
Holland Point Oyster Roast is a community feast of oysters raw, roasted and steamed, plus pit beef and sides (beer and wine $1). Oct. 14, 1-4pm, Loveless Center, Holland Point, $30 w/discounts: www.hollandpoint.org.
Captain Avery Oyster Festival makes a day of it with local restaurants serving oysters raw, fried, in a basket, on a platter or on a roll, and in stew, soup, sushi or shooters; plus local arts and crafts, music, crab races, face painting and the Choose It! auction of goods and services. Buy $5 tickets for $5,000 raffle. Oct. 15, 12:30-5pm, Shady Side, $6 w/discounts: www.captainaverymuseum.org.
The U.S. Oyster Festival returns for its 51st year to St. Mary’s County. Saturday, chefs vie to win the National Oyster Cook-off, and you get to sample the same dishes judged by Bay Weekly editor Sandra Martin, former Baltimore Sun food columnist Rob Kasper and Gwyn Novak of No Thyme to Cook. Sunday brings the National Shucking Championship, whose winner goes to international competition in Galway, Ireland. Sat. Oct. 21, 10am-6pm, Sun. Oct. 22, 11am-6pm, County fairgrounds, Leonardtown, $10 w/discounts: www.usoysterfest.com.
27 Tuck into a Church Supper
Sit down to an old-fashioned fall supper of fried oysters, ham, potatoes au gratin, green beans, homemade coleslaw, rolls and biscuits, beverages and pies; take out, too ($22); visit the bake and garden shops, and tour the historic church. Oct. 14, 1-5pm, St. James Parish, Lothian: [email protected].
Eat in or carry out shrimp and roast beef dinner at the Friendship UMC Farm Heritage Festival. Silent auction, antique tractors and trucks, demos, cider-making, hayrides and more. Oct. 21, 1-5pm, Owings: 410-257-7133.
28 Strike Up Some Fun
When fall’s weather turns blustery, head indoors for a day of bowling at Lord Calvert Bowling Center in Huntingtown. Daily specials make bowling an attractive budget-friendly option for families, couples and parties: www.lordcalvertbowling.com.
29 Step Aboard a Haunted Ship
Celebrate the scary season at a costume party aboard the Maryland Dove in historic St. Mary’s City. The ship is transformed into a not-too-scary haunted vessel for trick or treating, face-painting and games. Oct. 21, 5:30-8pm: www.hsmcdigshistory.org.
30 Explore Legends by Lantern
Hear the horrific tale of Corporal Frank Scott, the first enlisted man to die in an aircraft accident, as you tour the College Park airfield by lamplight. Come in costume for a hayride, tour and hot cider. Oct. 28, tours at 7pm, 7:30pm, 8pm, and an adults-only, extra-spooky tour at 8:30pm. College Park Aviation Museum; $10: www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com.
31 Find the Great Pumpkin
No need to spend the night in the pumpkin patch. These events bring the pumpkins to you.
See a dazzling display of dozens of hand-carved illuminated pumpkins as you listen to haunted Halloween tales and roast marshmallows beside a fall Jack O’ Lantern campfire. Sa Oct. 21, 7-8:30pm, Darnall’s Chance House Museum, Upper Marlboro, $4 (cash): 301-952-8010.
Learn to carve a creative pumpkin from artist Nancy Baker, Oct. 1 and 28, noon-4pm. Homestead Gardens’ Fall Fest also features a corn maze plus hay and pony rides; Pumpkin and Pollinator Express; jumping pillow, pipe slide, corn box and moon bounce, food and live entertainment. Sat. 11am-6pm, Sun. 11am-5pm thru Oct. 29, Davidsonville, $12: www.homesteadgardens.com.
32 Haunted Annapolis Tours
Take a ghostly guided tour of the historic Sands House. Fri., Sat. Oct. 6-28, 7:30 & 8pm, Historic Annapolis Museum, $22 w/discounts, rsvp: www.annapolistours.com.
33 Dine on the Harvest of a Sharing Garden
Share in an evening of good food grown, prepared and served by neighbors who’ve bonded together over the last decade to preserve Goshen Farm the last farm on the Broadneck Peninsula. Harvest dinner with bread, side dishes, desserts and beverages. Oct. 14, 5-7:30pm, Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Arnold, $10 w/discounts: http://goshenfarm.org/events/harvest-dinner.
34 Kinder Farm Fall Harvest Festival
Take a hayride, visit the farm animals, square dance, make scarecrows, peruse arts and crafts, snack and more. Oct. 14, 10am-4pm, Kinder Farm Park, Millersville, free: www.kinderfarmpark.org.
35 Drop Back a Century in Time
Listen to bluegrass, view the handiwork of artisans from the period, see displays by watermen and tobacco farmers, sample homemade butter and ice cream and take a lesson in the one-room schoolhouse at the Deale Area Historical Society’s Harvest Day in the Village. Oct. 1, 1-4pm, Herrington Harbour North, Tracy’s Landing, free: www.dahs.us.
36 American Indian Festival
Celebrate the rich and diverse cultures of Native Americans at the eighth 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. Oct. 21, 10am-5pm, Patuxent River Park, Upper Marlboro, (fee for some activities, food sold): 301-627-6074.
37 Tour Working Farms
Explore Calvert County’s rural side by exploring working farms. Take hayrides, get lost in a corn maze, pick a pumpkin, hear live music, sample wines and more: Horsmon Farm, St. Leonard; Fridays Creek Winery, Owings; Perigeaux Vineyards and Winery, St. Leonard; Spider Hall Farm, Prince Frederick; Mulberry Hill Farm, Huntingtown; Swann Farms, Owings. Oct. 21-22, 11am-5pm, free: 410-535-4583.
38 Get Spooked at St. Anne’s Cemetery
Get to know citizens who lived here before us, including residents at historic Hammond Harwood House. Stories of love, tragedy and insanity are unearthed in this hour-long tour through the burying ground. Oct. 21, 4pm, St. Anne’s cemetery entrance, Annapolis; $15 w/discounts: www.hammondharwoodhouse.org.
39 Get Lostin a Maze
Greenstreet Gardens specializes in fall fun with a five-acre maze cut in the image of the Brothers Osborne, plus hayrides, cow train ride, a nook in the woods with a giant spider web to climb, and more. Weekends thru Oct. 29, 10:30am-5pm, Lothian; $13: www.greenstreetgardens.com.
Montpelier Farms features a seven-acre corn maze (with flashlight Friday and Saturdays) cut to honor first-responders, pumpkin patch, lots of fun and games, plus food and farm market. Sat. 10am-7pm, Sun. 11am-7pm thru Sept.; Fri. 5pm-11pm, Sat. 10am-11pm, Sun. 11am-7pm Oct.-Nov., Upper Marlboro: $12, www.montpelierfarms.com.
Sunrise Farm celebrates Curious George’s 75th anniversary in its eight-acre corn maze. Sat. 10am-7pm, Sun. 11am-7pm thru Oct. 29, Gambrills: $12: www.mdsunrisefarm.com.
40 Maryland Renaissance Festival
Return to the 16th century at the village of Revel Grove as King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and the royal court arrive. Come in costume or rent them on-site to immerse yourself fully in this annual favorite; special themed weekends keep things lively. A variety of performances on multiple stages entertain all ages, as do jousting matches, magicians, jugglers, crafters and of course, giant turkey legs. Huzzah! Weekends thru Oct. 22, 10am-7pm, Crownsville festival grounds, $25 w/discounts: www.rennfest.com.
41 Shudder at the Sounds of the Season
The Halloween/All Saints concert at the U.S. Naval Academy features organist Monte Maxwell, dancers and special effects. Oct. 27-28, 8pm. USNA Chapel, $36 w/discounts, rsvp: www.navyperforms.showare.com.
42 Costume Your Dog
Hound of the Town: Calvert dogs dress up for a parade and costume judging. Oct. 28, noon-2pm, North Beach Boardwalk, $7 w/advance discounts; benefits Calvert Animal Welfare League: 301-855-6681; www.northbeach.org.
Howl-O-Ween Barkin Bash: Anne Arundel dogs endure costumes to win contests; human companions enjoy demos, food, raffles and socializing. Oct. 28, 11am-3pm, Quiet Waters Park, Annapolis, free: 410-222-1777.
43 Escape the Zombie Horde
It’s an epidemic invasion as the living dead take over Kinder Park. Will you escape the brain-eaters as they stalk you along the 5K trail? Can you reach the Drop Dead Zone without becoming infected with the zombie virus? Oct. 28, zombie registration 8:30am, runner registration 9am, run 10am-noon, Kinder Farm Park, Millersville, zombies $20, runners $50 w/discounts: http://bit.ly/KinderZombieRun2017.
44 Survive the Ghosts of Sotterley
The 19th annual Ghosts of Sotterley is a fully acted celebration of the spooky. Oct. 20-21, 26-28, 7-10:30pm, Historic Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood, $15, rsvp: www.sotterleyplantation.com.
45 Trick and Treat in the Garden
Dress the family for trick-or-treating on the wooded garden path, where costumed spirits hand out candy or treats. Plus art activities, food and drink. Oct. 28, 11am-4pm, Annmarie Garden, Solomons, $2 to benefit local charities: www.annmariegardens.org.
46 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 18th, 19th and 20th century. Nov. 3-4, 5-9pm, Historic Annapolis, $40 w/discounts, rsvp: www.annapolis.org.
47 Eastport-Annapolis Tug of War XX
Watch or lend a hand in the world’s longest International Tug of War over water — 1,700 feet — in the continuing rivalry between the Maritime Republic of Eastport and Annapolis. Nov. 4, 10am to join a team; festivities follow at City Dock and Chart House Restaurant. Tug heats start at the crack of noon on either side of Spa Creek Bridge: $25 to tug, free to cheer: themre.org.
48 (Red White and) Blue Tie Bountiful Harvest
Join The Friends of The Light House in contributing to end homelessness among veterans in Anne Arundel County. Food by local chefs and caterers, including The Light House’s own skills-developing enterprise, The Light House Bistro, and open bar, plus music and life and silent auctions. Wear red and white in addition to the traditional blue tie (or gown) in honor of Veterans Day. Nov. 10, 7-10pm, Loews Annapolis Hotel. $100-$150, rsvp: www.friendslhs.org.
49 Honor a Veteran
Celebrate those who serve or have served in the military. On Nov. 11, the original Armistice Day, join traditional Veterans Day ceremonies at the Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville and the World War II Memorial on Route 450 overlooking the U.S. Naval Academy Bridge and Severn River. Head to St. Mary’s County for one of our state’s largest parades (10am, Leonardtown), followed by a memorial wreath-laying ceremony.
50 Run for Fun and Fitness
Race for good causes to win prizes, bragging rights and justify your share of Halloween candy, Thanksgiving stuffing and pies.
Friends of the Poor 5K Run/Walk: Support the St. Katherine Drexel Conference and The St. Vincent Depaul Society run by Jesus the Divine Word parishioners to help families with housing, food and utility needs. Oct. 7, 8am, Calverton School, Huntingtown, $25, rsvp: 443-684-9261.
AACC Turkey Trot-Run 5K (and one-mile jaunt). Benefits AACC’s fitness scholarship. Bring canned goods for charity. Nov. 23, registration 10:30am, runs at noon. Siegert Field, AACC, Arnold, $25 5K; $20 one-mile w/discounts: aacc.edu/healthfitness/turkeytrot.cfm.
Join Project Echo’s 6th annual 5K Run/Walk, to support the 24/7 transitional and emergency shelter in Prince Frederick. Nov. 23, registration 6am, trot 7am. Prince Frederick, $35 w/discounts: 5kturkeytrot.vpweb.com.
Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K: Families run or walk with the Greater Annapolis Y thru the AACC campus. Dogs welcome ($15). Nov. 23, registration 7:30am, race 8:30am, AACC West Campus Drive, Arnold: $35 w/discounts; rsvp: ymdturkeytrot.org/p/arnold.html.
Work up an appetite at Camp Letts’ 18th annual Turkey Chase, which helps send kids to summer camp. Nov. 23, 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. Nov. 25, registration 8:30am, race 9:30am, Glendening Preserve, Lothian. $25 w/age discounts: www.jugbay.org.