April showers bring May flowers and festivals! Find out more about the time-honored tradition of the May Day Basket plus fun festivals this weekend.
May Day Flower Baskets, Flower Mart, and May Fair – Friday, May 1st
My May Day Basket from 2014
featured Golden Begonias
Photo by Melissa Lauren
Tour historic downtown Annapolis and enjoy all of the May Day Baskets gracing the doors of shops and historic homes, a lovely custom cele ated in Annapolis since Colonial times! If you are a Downtown Annapolitan, don’t forget to hang your basket in order to participate in the friendly competition.
Members of the Four Rivers Garden Club host the annual May Day Flower Mart in Downtown Annapolis in front of the Market House 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. An assortment of native plants and perennials from members' gardens as well as herb, cut flowers and garden treasures will be offered for sale. May Day baskets will be available for pre-order or for sale the day of the event. A flower-arranging workshop at 9 a.m. will guide the novice in the creation of a May Day basket. The fee for the workshop is $25, which includes supplies. May Day May Flower Mart proceeds support community gardening projects as well as local historic houses and gardens. For more information call 443-995-2993.
The Garden Club of Annapolis will host a May Fair with a delectable luncheon and Spring Boutique at the Annapolis Yacht Club. Tickets are $40. The Boutique is open 10 a.m. - 2: 30 p.m. and Luncheon Buffet is 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. All proceeds from the May Fair will support: Grow Annapolis, which fosters community gardens; Maryland Native Plants; hanging floral baskets in Annapolis; and Maryland Hall Memorial SunDial Garden.
Naptown barBAYq Contest and Music Festival
Photo courtesy of Naptown barBAYq Festival
The Naptown barBAYq Contest and Music Festival held at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville on Saturday, May 2nd from 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. and on Sunday the 3rd from 12 - 6 p.m. This family affair will feature food, libations, activities for all ages, arts and crafts vendors, cooking demonstrations, and continuous live music from two stages with more than 40 bands. Musical acts include Annapolis School of Rock, Alexander Peters, Swampcandy, Dean Rosenthal, and many more! The Parole (Annapolis) Rotary Club presents this event and money raised at the event will be used to fulfill grant requests. Tickets are $15 and kids 12 and under are admitted for free. For more information visit Barbayq.com.
First Sunday Arts Festival
Photo courtesy of Todd R. Stevens
First Sunday Arts Festival is the place to be to check out items crafted by more than 100 local and regional artists and crafters. The First Sunday Arts Festival in Annapolis kicks off its first event of the season series this Sunday, May 3rd. The festival is held on Calvert and West streets from 12 - 5 p.m. and features live music, as well as dance and street performances. A popular and free event, the festival hosted more than 45,000 people last year, and is not to be missed. Catch it every first Sunday of the month through October. For more information visit Firstsundayarts.com.
Chestertown First Fridays on The Shore
Chestertown First Fridays, Downtown Chestertown, Chestertown, MD 21620, Friday, May 1st, 5 - 8 p.m., Free, 410-778-0500, Free, Downtownchestertown.org.
Happy First Friday! Meander the red- ick, tree-lined sidewalks of Historic Chestertown, while enjoying extended shop hours and arts and entertainment throughout Downtown. For a list of activities, their calendar has specific listings on happenings at downtownchestertown.org.
SPCA Walk for Animals
Join your friends at What’s Up? Media as we proudly sponsor the 24th Annual SPCA Walk and Run for the Animals on Sunday, May 3rd at Quiet Waters Park. The 5k Run starts at 8 a.m. and the walk starts at 9 a.m. There is even a Tails and Trails 5k! The benefit will allow the SPCA to continue our efforts in providing shelter and rehabilitation to companion animals in need and promoting humane care and concern for the animals. Importantly, funds raised will enable the SPCA of Anne Arundel County to continue to develop and facilitate much needed life-saving programs that will continue to help our community and improve the lives of companion animals. To register and for more information visit Aacspca.org.
To view more events taking place this weekend, please owse our Online Calendar at whatsupmag.com/calendar Be sure to Follow What's Up? on Twitter, Instagram, and Like Us on Facebook For coverage of your community event, please send press releases to mlauren@whatsupmag.com. Melissa Lauren, Community Events Editor, writes the weekly What's Up? Events Blog and E-Newsletter every Thursday. To subscribe visit WhatsUpMag.com.
