HoCo Happenings: June 14 - 28
Looking for something to do around Howard County, but don’t have the time to scour the Internet trying to find what peaks your interest? Here’s your weekly round up of events happening around Howard County in the next two weeks. Enjoy!
KIDS AND FAMILY
TERRAPIN ADVENTURES: 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY EVENT
Terra[pin Adventures: 8600 Foundry Street, Savage, MD 20763
Saturday June 15 | 10am-6pm | prices vary | programs for all ages
Celebrate 10 Years of Adventure with a deal so good, it’s almost too good to be true (but we promise it’s true)! One fee gets you access to all the elements: Zip Line, High Ropes Challenge Course, Climbing Tower, Giant Swing. Plus, there is a special course for youngest explorers — the Kids Course!
Fill up on thrills — and fill up on delicious bites and sweet treats! Rams Head Tavern, Sweet Cascades and Rustiq Bakery & Cafe provide refreshments during this action-packed day! Prizes for the best Photos. Terrapin Adventures’ Swag Bag for every attendee!
CHRYSALIS KIDS: DANCE PARTY
Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods: 10431 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia 21044
Saturday June 15 | 10am-12pm | free | all ages
Join Julia McCready, preschool music educator extraordinaire, for a dance party on the Chrysalis stage! Gates open at 9:30 a.m. for playtime with Imagination Playground, and the tot-sized dance party gets started at 10:00 a.m. Snacks will be available for sale, but feel free to bring a picnic (no glass or alcohol).
REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS
Warfield Pond Park, 14523 Macclintock Dr, Glenwood, MD 21738
Saturday June 15 | 2-3pm | free | all ages
Does your favorite animal hop on land, yet love to swim? Does it have a large shell but floats in water? Come learn more about these amazing animals as we explore the wonderful world of reptiles and amphibians. Wear comfortable footwear, bring sunblock or bug spray as needed, and we?ll see you at the park! Info: dkjohnson@howardcountymd.gov
PUBLIC STAR PARTY
Alpha Ridge Park, 11685 Old Frederick Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104
Saturday June 15 | 7:15-8:45pm | free | all ages
Come enjoy the night sky through telescopes set up by The Howard Astronomical League (HAL). At this relaxed, casual, family event, view live images on a big screen as seen through the Illig Telescope in HAL's observatory. Info/weather updates: www.howardastro.org . Info: Danielle Bassett, 410-313-4634 or dbassett@howardcountymd.gov.
CANOE AND PADDLING BASICS
Centennial Park: 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Friday June 21 | 6-8:30pm | $35 per person | ages 10 and up
Whether you're a brand-new paddler or are just looking to refine your skills, this paddling basics class gives you the confidence to hit the water on your own! Learn paddling techniques, self-rescue, safety and gear selection for both canoes and kayaks. Participants under 16 are placed in a canoe or tandem kayak with an accompanying registered adult. This is an American Canoe Association certified instructional program. Info: Matt Medicus, 410-313-1769.
HIKE: MD AT #3 WOLFSVILLE RD TO RTE 40
Long Gate Park and Ride
Saturday June 22 | 8am-4pm | $17 per person | 8 and up
The Appalachian Trail crossing Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania features historic Civil War sights and panoramic views of mountains and valleys; trip leaders will interpret points of interest. Hike leaders keep a moderate pace. Earn a certificate and patch by hiking each of the seven sections in the Maryland Appalachian Trail series at least once within a 3-year period. Earn a 100-mile certificate and patch by hiking additional miles on the Pennsylvania and Virginia sections of the Appalachian Trail. Under 16 must be accompanied by a participating parent or guardian. Participants should be in good shape, have good balance and depth perception to be able to hike two miles over rocky hills without a break and the ability to complete the distance indicated. Fee includes van or school bus transportation from the Park & Ride lot at the intersection of Rte. 100 and Long Gate Pkwy, Ellicott City. MD AT Section #3: Wolfsville Road to Rte 40: Have lunch at the site of the Black Rock Hotel, a 1900s hotel. Then hike to the panoramic view and fresh-water springs at Annapolis Rocks. Moderately difficult terrain: 9.5 miles
LIL’ STARS
Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Saturday June 22 | 10-10:30AM | $3 per person | ages 3 and up
Let your little one discover outer space through views of the stars and planets, stories, crafts or song. Give your child a special nighttime experience during the day! Each month we focus on a different theme - from colors of stars, to the stories behind a constellation, to the seasonal changes in the sky. Pre-register to secure your seats. No late seating.
RAILS AND TALES
Baltimore & Ohio Ellicott City Station Museum, 3711 Maryland Ave, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday June 22 | 10:30am-11am | $10 per person | at least 1.5 but less than 5
Hop aboard the story train! Bring your little one out to a discovery storytime at some of our historic sites in Ellicott City. We'll read stories about how life was long (or not so long!) ago, play old time games, and make a history craft you can take home. Themes will change each month, so be sure to visit us several times. Info: Emily Mosher, 410-313-0419 or emosher@howardcountymd.gov.
LIL’ STARS
Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Saturday June 22 | 11-11:30AM | $3 per person | ages 3 and up
Let your little one discover outer space through views of the stars and planets, stories, crafts or song. Give your child a special nighttime experience during the day! Each month we focus on a different theme - from colors of stars, to the stories behind a constellation, to the seasonal changes in the sky. Pre-register to secure your seats. No late seating.
RIVER ROMP
Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Sunday, June 23 | 12:30-2:30 | $6 per person or $25 per family (up to 5 people) | all ages
Come celebrate summer by cooling off at the nature center with activities down at the Middle Patuxent River! By popular demand, we've added weekday sessions in addition to our weekend offerings. Bring your own non-perishable picnic, and join a Robinson Naturalist at the river for lunch and fun, family-friendly river games. Search the stream for big and small animals! Make boats and race them downstream! Come dressed to get wet. We wade in the river and recommend closed-toed water shoes. Participants must check-in for program at front desk. Participation is limited to 25 people per program. Online registration not available; please call 410-313-0400 to register.
ADULTS ONLY
BOUQUET IN A BOTTLE
Flower Barn: 3782 B Old Columbia Pike, Ellicott City, 21043
Friday, June 14 | 6-7:15pm | $20 | all ages
If you love essential oils just as much as you do flowers then this workshop is meant for you. Making your own unique essential oil using flowers while hanging out with your friends and having a good time sounds like a good start of the weekend on a Friday night. So bring your friends, family or come out by yourself and indulge in BYOB while creating your own special "bouquet in a bottle".
LAKEFEST WEEKEND
Downtown Columbia Lakefront: 10275 Wincopin Circle, Columbia, Maryland 21044
Friday June 14 - Sunday June 16 | 6:30-8pm | free | all ages
The FREE LakeFest Weekend includes three days of live music, an invitational arts and crafts show, strolling performers, a Clyde’s of Columbia Beer Garden and an array of activities and entertainment for all ages. The Festival boasts a wide variety of festival fare and local food truck favorites the whole family can enjoy! Check back soon for highlights from their menus and start daydreaming of the treats you’ll eat while listening to live music and shopping through the Invitational Fine Arts & Crafts Show.
MARYLAND LAVENDER FESTIVAL
Springfield Manor Winery, Distillery & Brewery: 11836 Auburn Rd, Thurmont, 21788
Saturday June 15 + Sunday June 16 | 9am-4pm | prices vary | all ages
Enjoy picturesque views, vendors, live music, food trucks, glasses & bottles of wine, pints & growlers of beer, handcrafted distilled spirits, educational seminars & demonstrations. Relax in the fragrant field, photograph the scenery, and shop the artisan vendors. Gifts, plants, dried lavender, and freshly cut bundles will be available for purchase.
MARYLAND FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds: 1450 General Highway, Crownsville, 21032
Saturday June 15 | 11am-7pm | $12 in advance, $17 at the gate | all ages
Choose from more than 25 amazing food trucks offering a wide variety of cuisine. We have Greek, Italian, BBQ, Seafood, Pizza, Mexican, Korean, Caribbean, Soul Food, Desserts and more! This event is built for the whole family! Live music all day! Helicopter Rides from Charm City Helicopters, Shopping at the Vendor Village, and Moonbounces, Zip Line & Pony Rides for the kids!
WINE VS. BEER: WHICH PAIRS BEST?
The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday, June 15 | 2pm | $35 ($10 credit towards purchase) | ages 21 and over
The temperatures are rising and putting us in the mood for grilling. The bold rich smokiness and the plethora of sauces its hard to begin thinking of a wine that can stand up to all that flavor. In this class we will discuss beer pairing for the first time (AHEM DAD) and see which works best with grilled food- beer or wine.Call the Bin with questions: 410-465-7802
CARS, CIGARS & BARBECUE: MARYLAND’S ULTIMATE FATHER’S DAY
Laurel Park: 198 RT Laurel Race Track Road, Laurel, 20725
Sunday, June 16 | Noon - 7pm | free | all ages
Bring the family out for a day full of live Thoroughbred racing, BBQ specials, cigar rolling, yard games, and a car display from 12PM – 5PM, featuring the Asphalt Angels and Lost in the 50s car clubs!
BRING YOUR OWN MUG NIGHT
Black Flag Brewing Company: 9315 Snowden River Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21046
Wednesday, June 19 | 4-10pm | ages 21 and over
This is a B.Y.O.M that recurs every Wednesday. Bring your favorite mug or any other drinking vessel. Sized within reason (additional charges apply for mugs over 20oz). Play board games, hang out with good company, and have fun. That’s it.
COLUMBIA 1ST + 3RD THURSDAY PUB RUNS
Hosted by Charm City Run: 7090 Deepage Dr, Columbia 21045
Thursday, June 20 (Recurring 1st and 3rd Thursdays Monthly) | 6:30-8pm | free | ages 21 and over
Join us for a pub run every first and third Thursday of the month from the Columbia store! We'll start from the shop at 6:30pm and then head out for a guided 3 mile run. We'll finish back at the shop and then head to local pub where you'll enjoy food/drink discounts. Please bring a valid ID if you wish to enjoy an alcoholic beverage after the run.All paces and levels are welcome for the fun run! First Thursday - alternate between Hysteria Brewing Company & CRAVIN'. Third Thursday - Pub Dog.
YAPPY HOUR
The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Friday, June 21 (recurring 1st and 3rd Fridays) | 6pm | free | family friendly
The Bin hosts Yappy hour in the parking lot adjacent to our building. Bring your well-behaved leashed dog or come without a dog and enjoy everyone else’s dog. Donations and a portion of our sales benefit dog charities. Live Music, Popcorn and a Free Beer and Wine tasting. Your dog is welcome inside The Bin as well. This is a free family friendly event. Check the Wine Bin's Facebook page for an update if the weather is questionable.
