HoCo Happenings: September 20 - October 4
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
ROBINSON NATURE CENTER ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE
6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia 21044
Sunday September 22 | 12-5pm | free | all ages
Celebrate our center’s 8th birthday! See what’s new, including our 2019 ARTsites installation, Nature Place additions and a new indoor exhibit. Enjoy innovative presentations, live animals, guided nature walks, face-painting, crafts and shows in our planetarium. Delight in hands-on activities with our partners, food vendors, the Nature Place, Discovery Room, and an outdoor picnic area. Limited parking on-site. Complimentary shuttle from off-site parking area. No registration necessary
LIL’ STARS
Robinson Nature Center | 6692 Cedar lane, Columbia 21044
Saturday September 21 | 10am and 11am | free | 3-8
Give your child a special nighttime experience during the day at the Robinson Nature Center! Let your little one discover outer space through views of the stars and planets, stories, crafts and hands-on activities. Each month we focus on a different theme – from the colors of stars, to the stories behind a constellation, to the seasonal changes in the sky. Pre-register to secure your seats for both parents and children. No late seating.
COLUMBIA ART CENTER: FALL FEST
Columbia Art Center | 6100 Foreland Garth, Columbia 21045
Saturday September 21 | 12pm-2pm | free | all ages
A fun afternoon at Columbia Art Center with activities for all ages — preschool, youth, teens and adults — including interactive art projects, face painting, art demonstrations and more. Try your hand at the potter’s wheel. Enter your name for raffle prizes. View the annual Student/Faculty Exhibition and talk to Art Center teachers. Enjoy light refreshments and giveaways.
SEEDLINGS SUNFLOWER PICKING
Maryland Agricultural Resource Council, 1114 Shawan Rd, Cockesville, 21030
Wednesday, September 25 |10am-12pm | free | birth-5
Visit the sunflower field and will be able to pick our own at $1/stem.Check out the gardens, trails, and animals at the farm and find a shaded spot for a picnic!
FALL EQUINOX TWILIGHT HIKE AND CAMPFIRE
Howard County Conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road, Woodstock, MD 21163
Wednesday September 25 | 5-7pm | $4 per person, Under 2 free | all ages
Bring your family, walk through the meadow and along the stream to the woodland campfire ring. Listen to the birds singing at dusk. Gather around the crackling fire and hear legend-stories about the Equinox, sing old-time songs, roast marshmallows, and enjoy s’mores with Holly and George Stone. Hike back in time to watch the sun set over the horizon –exactly due west – and hear other interesting astronomical facts about the Fall Equinox.
TEA-REX: A DINOSAUR TEA PARTY
Robinson Nature Center: 6692 Cedar Lane, Columbia 21044
Sunday September 29 | 2pm | 3+ $27 per person | all ages
Would you invite a dinosaur to a tea party? You can be the judge after examining fossils and conducting a “dinosaur bone” dig to learn more about these creatures. You’ll also get to meet, sing, play and take your picture with a dinosaur from Drama Learning Center! Then, enjoy a full tea service catered by Sweet Simplici-Tea. As this is a catered event, all attendees (children and adults) must register by Sep 26.
ADULTS
WORLD WELLNESS WEEKEND
Columbia Association
Friday September 20 at 6:30pm - Saturday September 21 at 5pm | free | all ages
Held at the following CA facilities:
Columbia Athletic Club - 5435 Beaverkill Road, 410-730-6744
Columbia Gym - 6151 Daylong Lane, 410-531-0800
Haven on the Lake - 10275 Little Patuxent Parkway, 410-715-3020
Get up, get active and have fun with fitness! As part of World Wellness Weekend, you’re invited to enjoy special fitness classes and free trials of popular programs at Columbia Athletic Club, Columbia Gym, and Haven on the Lake. Everyone is welcome. You don’t have to be a CA member — just come on in! World Wellness Weekend is an initiative by the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) to get more people active.
YAPPY HOUR
The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Friday, September 20 (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.
FRIDAY MUSIC: THE SHROOM PICKERS
Clarksville Commons: 12230 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029
Friday, September 20 | 6:30-9pm | free | family friendly
Round up some friends and meet us on the plaza for another Friday of great music. The Shroom Pickers describe themselves as, “A freshly sprouted patch of rootless dunglovers, specializing in off-kilter country-folk music for the bemushroomed yokel and cosmopolitan cowperson alike.” It’s going to be a fun night! Enjoy dinner within earshot of the music on one of the restaurant patios, or do take-out for a picnic. Free; all are welcome. Chairs and blankets highly encouraged.
ELLICOTT CITY OLD TOWN MARKET
9321 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday September 21 (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.
FARMERS MARKET AT THE COMMONS
Clarksville Commons: 12230 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029
Saturday, September 21 | 10am-2pm | free | family friendly
Plan a visit to the Saturday farmers market and find local produce, meats, eggs, and so much more! This market is ‘producer only,’ which means that all items are grown or produced by the vendors. This week’s vendors: TLV Tree Farm, Earth First Farm, Hensing’s Hilltop Acres, Pong’s Orchard, Blue Dyer Distilling Co., Not Your Grandma’s Goodies, The Salvaged Stitch and Dimitri’s Greek Olives.Local duo Bittersweet Girls will be performing during this market.
MAIN STREET MUSIC FEST
The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday, September 21 | 12pm | free; fees for some events | family friendly
Full day FREE festival features 3 outdoor stages, 7 indoor stages, 45+ bands, Craft Beer & Boutique Wine Gardens, and family friendly activities throughout the historic district
BIKING FOR BEER
Clarksville Commons: 12230 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029
Wednesday, September 25 | 6pm | free | ages 21+
Join our friends from Food Plenty for their weekly Biking for Beer ride! Afterwards, hang out with fellow riders at Food Plenty and enjoy your first Manor Hill Brewing draught for free.Meet in the Clarksville Commons parking lot… wheels down at 6:30pm. All experience levels are welcome! The bike rides will continue every Wednesday throughout the warm season, weather permitting.
FRIDAY MUSIC: THE SOUL MAGNETS
Clarksville Commons: 12230 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029
Friday, September 27 | 6:30-9pm | free | family friendly
Gather your friends and come out to the plaza for the last Friday Music of the season! Enjoy the music of The Soul Magnets, who play groovin’ R&B and Soul, supported by a wide-ranging batch of Pop, Rock, Jazz, Funk, Classic Country, and a few off-the-wall numbers.Free; all are welcome. Chair and blankets highly encouraged.
FARMERS MARKET AT THE COMMONS
Clarksville Commons: 12230 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029
Saturday, September 28 | 10am-2pm | free | family friendly
Plan a visit to the Saturday farmers market and find local produce, meats, eggs, and so much more! This market is ‘producer only,’ which means that all items are grown or produced by the vendors. This week’s vendors: TLV Tree Farm, Earth First Farm, Hensing’s Hilltop Acres, Pong’s Orchard, Blue Dyer Distilling Co., Not Your Grandma’s Goodies, and Althea’s Almost Famous Jamaican Cuisine. Local Duo Walls & Vino will be performing during this market.
MOVIE NIGHT
The Wine Bin: 8390 Main Street, Ellicott City, 21043
Saturday, September 28 | 8pm | free | family friendly
This week set up in the parking lot and enjoy Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. The parking lot closes to cars 1.5 hours before showtime. Chair setup 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.
JAMMING AT THE COMMONS, SPONSORED BY EVERETT JEWELERS
Clarksville Commons: 12230 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029
Thursday, October 3 | 7:30pm | free | all ages
Local musicians, join us around the outdoor fireplace for an evening of casual jamming! All instruments, all ages, and all skill levels are very welcome – this friendly gathering is to have fun and encourage one another. Please bring a few songs with simple chord structures that others can easily play along with. Musicians will take turns playing lead lines along with the rhythms. The group gathers every first and third Thursday. Any questions, please email: reverett@everettjewelers.com.
NAMASTE FOR KUPCAKES
Clarksville Commons: 12230 Clarksville Pike, Clarksville, MD 21029
Friday, October 4 | 5-6:30pm | $7 | all ages
Sprinkle your weekend with pure joy by joining us for a sweet + sweaty outdoor (weather permitting) 60-minute vinyasa flow for all levels (ages 16 and up) led by Kristina // Peace of Burlap – bring your own mat! Yoga will be followed by a chance to mingle with fellow yogis in the comminity + enjoy gourmet mini cupakes provided by the award-winning Kupcakes & Co. – featuring another new event-inspired flavor! Each ticket also includes a "swag bag" of goodies with an additional FREE cupcake card to use now or later.
