HoCo Happenings: June 28 - July 12
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
BABES IN BACKPACKS
Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Saturday June 29 | 11am-noon | $8 per person | ages 1 month to 1 year
This program provides our tiniest visitors the chance to become familiar with the sights, sounds, smells and textures of the great outdoors. Infants are exposed to new experiences that will build their comfort level when encountering unfamiliar objects and when spending time outside. Families learn how to help their children develop a familiarity with nature and encourage their child’s sensory exploration from a young age. Enjoy a short walk on unpaved trails (requires infants to be in a baby backpack or carrier - trails are not stroller accessible). No online registration, call 410-313-0400.
NITE BITE FISHING
Centennial Park, 10000 Clarksville Pike (Main/South), Ellicott City, Maryland 21042
Friday June 29 | 6-11pm | $5 per person | all ages
Have you ever wanted to fish Centennial Lake at night? Now's your chance! Join Howard County Recreation & Parks for a unique opportunity to fish the lake after hours. Bring your own fishing pole, bait, tackle, bug repellant, flashlight or lantern, chair, or boat. Advanced registration is encouraged but on-site registration is available. Under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult. Complete information at www.howardcountymd.gov/nightfishing. Anglers 14 yrs & up can register for the Nite Bite Fishing Tournament Series ($100 fee, see website for details). Info: Dawn Thomas, 410-313-1754.
FAMILY FRIDAYS UNDER THE DOME
Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Friday July 5 | 6:30-7:30pm | $6 per person | ages 3 and up
Treat your family to unique shows at Robinson Nature Center's NatureSphere planetarium. Each program features a full-dome movie preceded by a family-friendly planetarium presentation. Price is per ticket. No Late seating. To ensure the best experience for your family and other patrons, please be in your seats at show time. We recommend you arrive 15 minutes early to pick up your tickets and get seated. Due to dark conditions, we cannot seat patrons while the show is in progress.
LIL’ STARS
Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Saturday July 6 | 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.
LIL’ STARS
Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Saturday July 6 | 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.
NITE BITE FISHING
Centennial Park, 10000 Clarksville Pike (Main/South), Ellicott City, Maryland 21042
Friday July 6 | 6-11pm | $5 per person | all ages
Have you ever wanted to fish Centennial Lake at night? Now's your chance! Join Howard County Recreation & Parks for a unique opportunity to fish the lake after hours. Bring your own fishing pole, bait, tackle, bug repellant, flashlight or lantern, chair, or boat. Advanced registration is encouraged but on-site registration is available. Under 16 years must be accompanied by an adult.
WILD FOR WATER DAY
Robinson Nature Center, 6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia, MD 21044
Sunday July 7 | 10am-4pm | $8 per member, $10 per person, Under 3 free | all ages
Don't stay dry! Come join us for our biggest event of the summer. Enjoy water games for the whole family. Experiment with water in various forms. Create and race homemade mini-boats. Participate in a river treasure hunt or take a guided stroll in the stream. Meet live, aquatic creatures in the traveling "Fish Mobile". Explore the wonders of "snow", ice and water in the "stages of water" area for little ones. Food tucks on-site. On-site parking is limited. Off-site parking with complimentary shuttle available when parking lot fills.
CANOE AND PADDLING BASICS
Centennial Park: 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, MD 21042
Friday July 12 | 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.
ADULTS
COLUMBIA FILM FESTIVAL
14075 Little Patuxent Parkway, Farmhouse @ Merriweather
June 27-29 (recurring daily) | hours vary | prices vary | family friendly
Do you love film? Join us June 27-29th for a diverse selection of juried films from Feature and Documentary productions, to Independent and Student Shorts, as well as a growing new category of Web Series. We celebrate films both Domestic and International with an five (5) time Emmy Award Winning Series. Special Guests, Audience talk back Q&A panels, and VIP Events are bonus added opportunities throughout the Columbia Film Festival. (Schedules and Films subject to change.)
PAINT IT! - ELLICOTT CITY 2019
Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
June 28 - July 1 (recurring daily) | hours vary | free | family friendly
Art in Ellicott City, in partnership with the Howard County Arts Council and Visit Howard County, proudly presents Paint It! Ellicott City June 27 - July 1. Also known as a plein air or a paint-out, this event brings artists from around the region to Old Ellicott City to paint directly from life, without the aid of photography. Spectators can observe artists as they set up their easels around Ellicott City’s historic district and paint the picturesque mill town.
Artists will be in town painting beginning Friday, June 28 and ending Sunday, June 30. There is plenty to do while 'artist watching' including shopping, dining, free museums, and outdoor activities each day. Artists' finished pieces will be available to view and for sale at the opening reception on Monday, July 1, 6-8:00 p.m., where artists will be awarded cash for placing top in select categories including, "Best of Show".
ELLICOTT CITY OLD TOWN MARKET
9321 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday June 29 (recurring weekly on Saturday) | 9am-1pm | free | family friendly
Come soak in the atmosphere at our weekly farmers' market and ease into your weekend with live music, great food, plus local artisans in Ellicott City's Historic District. We feature the season's freshest, locally grown goodies including fruits and vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, cheeses, humanely-raised meats, locally baked bread, pastries, prepared foods, soaps, health & beauty, art and more! Our market supports local businesses and the communities they serve. Weekly donations from our market are made to the Howard County Food Bank.
HOWARD COUNTY PRIDE PARADE
Centennial Park: 10000 Clarksville Pike, Ellicott City, 21042
Saturday, June 29 | 11am-5pm | free | family friendly
Come experience the HoCo Pride in 2019 as the first ever celebration of sexual and gender minorities in Howard County! This family friendly event will feature food, music, games, entertainment of all kinds, community resources, allies, friends, and fun! You can even bring your furry family members! Co-Hosted by PFLAG Columbia-Howard County and County Executive Calvin Ball, the energy is limitless. Our volunteers have put in over two years of hard work and planning to make this event a success. It's time for us all to unite around the things that make us different and truly embrace the beautiful spectrum of diversity that Howard County has to offer.
JAZZ BRUNCH
The Walrus Oyster & Ale House: 10300 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 3030, Columbia 21044
Sunday June 30 (recurring weekly on Sundays) | 11am-3pm | family friendly
Offering fresh oysters, craft beers, and delicious Chesapeake Bay inspired seafood. Our scratch kitchen creates classic dishes with fresh local ingredients in a casual atmosphere. Enjoy live jazz during brunch every Sunday.
COLUMBIA ORCHESTRA SUMMER POPS CONCERT
Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods: 10431 Little Patuxent Parkway
Sunday June 30 | 5-7:30pm | Free-$25 | family friendly
Join the Columbia Orchestra for its third annual Free Summer Pops Concert, and the first 2019 of the series free Community Concerts at the Chrysalis! The whole family will love film favorites from Superman, Magnificent Seven, and The Lion King, plus Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, patriotic songs, and the ultimate outdoor classic: The 1812 Overture! Crowd-favorite Sola Fadiran joins the Orchestra for hits from South Pacific, Ragtime and Toy Story.
Now in its third year, the annual Columbia Orchestra FREE Summer Pops Concert is a partnership between the Orchestra, the Trust, and a variety of community organizations to present the gift of music to Howard County as part of the Columbia Festival of the Arts in June.
COLUMBIA 1ST + 3RD THURSDAY PUB RUNS
Hosted by Charm City Run: 7090 Deepage Dr, Columbia 21045
Thursday, July 4 (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.
HOWARD COUNTY’S JULY 4TH FIREWORKS
Columbia Lakefront: 10275 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044
Thursday, July 4 | 5-10pm | free | all ages
Join us for our annual 4th of July fireworks celebration. The event features live entertainment. Bring a picnic or purchase food from on-site vendors. Parking is free. Visit www.howardcountymd.gov/rap after June 1 for activities schedule.
1ST FRIDAYS
Manor Hill Brewing: 4411 Manor Lane, Ellicott City 21043
Friday July 5 (recurs 1st Friday of the month) | 4-8:30pm | free | ages 21+
On the First Friday of every month at 4 pm. Limited release cans will be available at the Manor Hill Brewing Tap Room. Beers will vary from month to month and will be sold exclusively at the taproom throughout the weekend during regular Tap Room Hours (while supplies last). Reservations are not required for to go only sales, but you should make one if you plan to hang out and/ or sample.
YAPPY HOUR
The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Friday, July 5 (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.
ROSE’ COCKTAILS
The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday July 6 | 2pm | $30 ($10 credit towards purchase) | ages 21+
The world is a much better place when one can sit outside, bask in the sun, and enjoy a crisp, refreshing glass of rosé. It’s no wonder Rose has skyrocketed in popularity, with frosé now on nearly every summer menu and rosé gummy bears everywhere from candy stores to the pages of Vogue. The drink is synonymous with summer bliss, and we can’t get enough of it.
Though snagging a good bottle is easy and delicious in its own right, mixing it with liqueurs lavender or pouring it over some sorbet produce amazing flavors. This also means that there are plenty more reasons to drink rose.
MOVIE NIGHT AT THE WINE BIN
The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday July 6 | 9pm | free | family friendly
Head over to the Bin for outdoor movie night. This week’s movie is Wonder Woman. The parking lot closes 1.5 hours before showtime. Chair set up is allowed after that point. The Wine Bin offers beer and wine tastings before the movie. There is popcorn available for a donation to Howard County’s Voices for Children.
ELLICOTT CITY OLD TOWN MARKET
9321 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday July 6 (recurring weekly on Saturday) | 9am-1pm | free | family friendly
Come soak in the atmosphere at our weekly farmers' market and ease into your weekend with live music, great food, plus local artisans in Ellicott City's Historic District. We feature the season's freshest, locally grown goodies including fruits and vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, cheeses, humanely-raised meats, locally baked bread, pastries, prepared foods, soaps, health & beauty, art and more! Our market supports local businesses and the communities they serve. Weekly donations from our market are made to the Howard County Food Bank.
SAKE 101
The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Friday July 12 | 7pm | $30 ($10 credit towards purchase) | ages 21+
There is much mystery and myth about sake, but here you can learn the real deal about this liberating libation. We understand that most people have only experienced hot sake as an accompaniment to sushi, but you don't have to go to Japan to become a bona fide sake connoisseur! Now that we have a sushi restaurant (Umi Sushi) on main street so what better place to learn about sake than here at the Bin! Call the Bin with questions 410-465-7802
