October 1st marked the official start of oyster harvesting season, and with oyster season comes a wide-array of festivals celebrating the Chesapeake Bay delicacy. Aside from being delicious and nutritious, oysters help clean and filter the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Below are a few events and festivals where you can enjoy oysters this fall. Please note: Events with an asterisk have partnered with the Oyster Recovery Partnership (ORP). These events will either directly benefit the ORP, collect shells for planting more oysters in the Chesapeake Bay, or both! Learn More>>>
Annapolis and West County
United States Sailboat Show – Downtown Annapolis Thursday, October 10th through Monday, October 14th Sailors from across the globe gather on miles of docks in beautiful downtown Annapolis during the 50th United States Sailboat Show. This iconic show is recognized as the world’s largest and most prestigious sailboat show. Climb aboard and explore new models from virtually every major sailboat manufacturer, talk to industry experts, and discover the latest in boating products and services. Scenic Rivers Land Trust's Conservation Celebration: 30 Years of Preservation – The Bistro at South River, Edgewater Thursday, October 10th, 6 p.m. Join Scenic Rivers Land Trust for a festive fall evening of food, fun, and fundraising as it celebrates its 30th anniversary and its recent distinction as a nationally accredited land trust. Funds raised at the first-ever Conservation Celebration will support Scenic Rivers Land Trust’s efforts to conserve more of our precious green spaces—before it’s too late! Fall Harvest Festival – Kinder Farm Park, Millersville Saturday, October 12th, 10 a.m. Join the Friends of Kinder Farm Park for its annual Fall Harvest Festival. Enjoy a day of family-friendly activities including games, hay rides, pony rides, pumpkin painting, scarecrow making, antique sawmill demonstrations, blacksmithing demonstrations, and Kinder Farmhouse tours. The festival will also feature a pumpkin patch, local artisan booths, food and snack vendors, and farm animals. Admission to the event and parking is free. Tickets are needed to participate in the various activities, and can be purchased for $1 at ticket stands located throughout the venue. Fall Fest 2019 – Homestead Gardens, Davidsonville Saturdays and Sundays through October 27th Celebrate autumn at Homestead Gardens’ 36th annual Fall Festival! Pick the perfect pumpkin at the pumpkin patch, get lost in the two-acre corn maze, check out the jumping pillow and pipe slide, enjoy hay rides and pony rides, and stop by the barnyard to meet the goats, alpacas, and pigs. Finish your day with delicious food and beverages, including the famous Homestead apple cider doughnut. Maryland Renaissance Festival – Crownsville Saturdays and Sundays through October 20th Each autumn, the 27-acre village of Revel Grove in Crownsville comes to life with food, entertainment, and merriment during the Maryland Renaissance Festival. Enjoy nine weekends of jousting matches, juggling, handmade crafts, feasting, and more.
Eastern Shore
2019 Academy Art Museum Craft Show – Academy Art Museum, Easton Friday, October 11th through Sunday, October 13th, 10 a.m. Now in its 22nd year, the Academy Art Museum Craft Show is an indoor, juried craft show featuring approximately 70 artists from across the United States. The craft show is one of the major fundraisers for the museum, which provides many community-based programs for all ages. Good Beer Festival – Pemberton Historical Park, Salisbury Friday, October 11th, 5 p.m. and Saturday, October 12th, 12:30 p.m. The Good Beer Festival in Salisbury offers festival-goers unlimited tastings of 100 different American craft brews, including a local beer garden featuring Eastern Shore breweries. Friday night offers the only nighttime beer festival on the Eastern Shore. In addition to great beer, the festival includes live music, interactive games, and delicious food. Nanticoke River Jamboree – Handsell Historic Site, Vienna Saturday, October 12th, 10 a.m. Head to the Handsell Historic Site for the Nanticoke River Jamboree: Dorchester County’s largest living history event. This fun-filled celebration for the whole family features performers and historical reenactments, demonstrations, traditional 18th- and 19th-century crafts, puppeteers and puppet-making, kite flying, musical entertainment, food and refreshments, and more. Rock Hall FallFest – Town of Rock Hall Saturday, October 12th, 10 a.m. Celebrate family and community during Rock Hall FallFest on Main Street in Rock Hall. Now in its 22nd year, FallFest showcases Rock Hall and celebrates its heritage as a waterman’s town. Enjoy live music at several different venues, art and craft vendors, delicious food, and plenty of activities for the kids. The event is free to attend, and will be held rain or shine. New this year, FallFest will kick off with the Run for Character 5K Run/Walk at 9 a.m. Family Day – Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, Saint Michaels Saturday, October 12th, 1 p.m. Get hands-on with the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum campus! Your family will have a chance to explore the museum through hands-on activities and family-friendly exhibits, perfect for a day of fun. Families are encouraged to compete in a crab challenge course, view progress on the new Maryland Dove, and more. Salisbury Kidney Walk – Winterplace Park, Salisbury Sunday, October 13th, 10 a.m. Join the National Kidney Foundation for its 12th annual Salisbury Kidney Walk. More than 500 people are expected to step up to raise awareness of kidney disease, organ donation, and the importance of early screening and healthy lifestyles for those at risk.
Regional
Disney On Ice – Royal Farms Arena, Baltimore Thursday, October 10th, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, October 11th, 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, October 12th, 10:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., and 6:30 p.m.; Sunday, October 13th, 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. Hit the road with Mickey and his pals for a high-octane ride in Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures. Exciting twists and turns await as Mickey, Minnie, and Goofy embark on a wild ride to your favorite Disney destinations. Grab your family for a fun-filled getaway jam-packed with unexpected hijinks and surprises and up-close character interaction. The Price Is Right Live Stage Show – MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill Friday, October 11th, 8 p.m.; Saturday, October 12th, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Sunday, October 13th, 2 p.m. Come on down! Whether you're a lifelong fan of the show or it's your first time watching, the stage version of The Price Is Right is an enormous amount of fun, with random audience members picked to compete for cash and prizes by playing challenges like Plinko, The Big Wheel, and The Showcase. More Than Pink Walk – Columbia Gateway, Columbia Sunday, October 13th, 7 a.m. The Race for the Cure is now the More Than Pink Walk! Join Komen Maryland for the 2019 More Than Pink Walk. The walk will focus on communicating Komen’s efforts beyond breast cancer awareness, and energizing the community around the lifesaving work made possible by Komen supporters. Participants can choose between a one- or three-mile route. After the walk, enjoy food, music, and activities. Proceeds will benefit local breast health programs and research.
