What's Up Magazines

Event Highlights | October 2008

By Andrew Keatts

Annapolis

Icemen Cometh
Will last season’s NHL MVP Alexander “the Great” Ovechkin (pictured) and company make a run this year for ice hockey’s pinnacle achievement—a Stanley Cup Championship? This October the Washington Capitals begin their campaign to defend their Southeast Division banner and pursuit of the Cup with four home games (10/11, 13, 18, 28) at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C. (410) 547-SEAT or capitals.nhl.com.

Check Your Nerves, Catch a Thrill
Six Flags America amusement park in Landover puts on its annual “Halloween costume” each weekend this October 4 through November 2 with Fright Fest, during which the park transforms into a ghoulish escape from reality. Think the ultimate haunted house with rollercoasters and the many thrill rides that all ages love. (301) 249-1500 or www.sixflags.com.

Ballerina Slippers Turn to Glass
The Ballet Theatre of Maryland will perform the princess fairytale, “Cinderella,” on October 25 and 26 at Maryland Hall for the Creative Arts in Annapolis. Poor Cinderella, slave to her vain sisters and evil stepmother, is magically made a beautiful princess by her Fairy Godmother. She attends the royal ball, capturing the heart of the young prince but, alas, must return home by the stroke of midnight, lest she become a poor maid again. In her rush, she leaves behind a glass slipper. Will the prince find the belle of the ball who wore it? (410) 280-5640 or www.marylandhall.org.

Olympic Champions Flip Into D.C.
America’s darlings of the Olympics will perform their amazing acrobatic routines at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., when the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars visits on October 30. Scheduled gymnastics include all-around gymnastics gold medal winner Nastia Liukin, all-around silver medalist Shawn Johnson (pictured), twins Paul and Morgan Hamm, and U.S.A.’s most decorated gymnast in history, Shannon Miller, among many more. (410) 547-SEAT or www.gymnasticssuperstars.com.

Call of the Wild
This October 18 celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week and Earth Science Week at the Patuxent Wildlife Festival at the National Wildlife Visitors Center at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center in Laurel. The family-friendly event will feature live animals, kids’ crafts, behind-the-scenes tours, and much more. (301) 497-5763 or www.fws.gov/northeast/patuxent/index.htm.

Great Scot!
The 17th annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games, on Saturday, October 11, is a one-day crash course in all things Scottish. Experience Scottish heritage through athletic and traditional music competitions, live entertainment, food vendors, and various demonstrations at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville. The event runs from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Call (410) 721-0273 or visit www.aasfi-md.org for more information.

 

Eastern Shore

Culinary Celebration on the Shore
A Taste of Kent Narrows will showcase the talents and tastes of more than 15 Eastern Shore restaurants, as well as local wineries, on October 11 at the Chesapeake Exploration Center in Chester. Accompanied by live music throughout the day and many children’s activities (hayrides and a giant slide among them), the festival, now in its second year, is shaping up to be an annual favorite for the entire family. (410) 758-0835 or www.tasteofkentnarrows.org.

 

Sample the Narrows
In one large bowl, combine the following ingredients: 12 local restaurants, three popular bands, a handful of vendors and artisans, and a generous pinch of family-friendly activities. Allow ingredients to sit for five hours. Better than any homemade dish, the resulting concoction is the 3rd annual Taste of Kent Narrows, a family affair on Saturday, October 11, from noon–5 p.m. at the Chesapeake Exploration Center in Chester. Food tasting ends at 4 p.m., and proceeds benefit the Kent Narrows Development Foundation. Call (410) 758-0835 or visit www.tasteofkentnarrows.org for more information.

So Much for Munich
See the Eastern Shore from above in a hot-air balloon, or keep your feet on the ground and enjoy a full day of music at Trappe-toberfest, a community-sponsored event that separates itself from its German namesake by remaining completely alcohol free. Enjoy food vendors, artisan displays, a plein air paint-out, demonstrations by community groups, and music from more than 10 bands of various genres on Saturday, October 18, from 10 a.m.–6 p.m. in downtown Trappe. Call (410) 476-3170 for more information.

What are You Going As?
Highlighting the 16th annual Fall Into St. Michaels festival is, as always, a costume parade down Talbot Street at 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 25. Judges award both silly and scary costumes worn by adults, kids, and pets, and even award “dressed up” floats as an announcer introduces each entrant when passing the judges’ stand. Fall Into St. Michaels haunts the town that fooled the British from October 24–26, with ghost tours, dog races, a 5K walk/run, a Halloween party for adults, and more. Call (800) 808-7622 or visit www.stmichaelsmd.org for more information, including a detailed schedule of events.

High Street Highlights
For 37 years, the Historical Society of Kent County (HSKC) has sponsored a walking tour of Chestertown’s historic homes. The self-guided Heritage House Tour features homes from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Named by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of the Dozen Distinctive Destinations for 2007, Chestertown’s colonial charm makes a perfect home for HSKC’s annual fundraiser. This year’s tour is on Saturday, October 4, from 1–6 p.m.,with tea available at Emmanuel Church Hall throughout the day. Call (410) 778-3499 or visit www.kentcountyhistory.org for more information.

Tags: annapolis oct 08 eastern shore highlights

More Articles