Maryland Events for Families and Chidlren

MARCH 2010 EVENTS

CHOCOLATE & CANDY FESTIVAL, Saturday March 6, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., downtown Belair MD. Enjoy an Afternoon on Main Street with Sweet Treats, Children's Activities, Music, and a "Main Street Scavenger Hunt". $5.00/person, Children under 5 FREE

MAD SCIENCE, Saturday, March 6, 11 am & 1 pm, College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park 20740. Before Wilbur and Orville could even begin to build an airplane, they had to understand the science that makes flying possible. Join Mad Science of Washington D.C. for an exciting and interactive program about science. Tickets will be available on the day of the show. Fee: $5/person (includes museum admission). For more information call 301-864-6029 or go to www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com

RANDOM HOUSE BOOK FAIR, Saturday, March 6, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Rd. (Rt. 32), Westminster. Free and open to the public. Food, fun and entrainment for all ages. New book sales discounted 20%. Local and national Random House authors including Emily Jenkins, David Sibley, Karin Slaughter and Kaye & Liv Hansen, Book talks and signings, Silent auction, Student writing contest winners announced, Children's story time, Professor Wizard and his wonders of science, Family literacy resource area, Free children's books, Kid's activity area ($2 admission fee). For more information see www.carrollcc.edu.

7TH MD COMPANY A U.S. DRILL DAY, Saturday, March 6, 12 noon-4 pm, Marietta House Museum, 5626 Bell Station Road, Glenn Dale 20769. Civil War re-enactors demonstrate military drills, weaponry and tacticals. FREE admission for the demonstration. No reservations necessary. House tour fee: $3/adults, $2/seniors & groups, $1/ages 5-18, FREE/ages 4 & under. For more information call 301-464-5291 or see www.pgparks.com

PANCAKE BREAKFAST, March 6 and 7, Oregon Ridge Lodge and Nature Center, Beaver Dam Road in Cockeysville Come and enjoy the fruits of their labor and their maple trees on some delicious pancakes! The Annual Pancake Breakfast will be held at Oregon Ridge Lodge from 8 am until noon each day. Tickets can be purchased at the door, $6.00 for adults, and $3.00 for children ages 2 to 8. Pancakes with 100% maple syrup, sausage, orange juice, coffee, tea, or milk are on the menu. Call 410-887-1815 or visit www.oregonridge.org for additional information

MAPLE SUGARIN’ FESTIVAL AT HASHAWHA, Sunday, March 7, 10:30am-4pm. $5/vehicle entrance fee. This event takes place on the grounds of Hashawha Environmental Center. A pancake breakfast with REAL maple syrup starts the day with plenty of other maple foods available until closing. This festival celebrates the American tradition of collecting maple sap and boiling it down to rich maple syrup. Activities and demonstrations will take place both indoors and out, and include tree tapping, sap boiling, syrup tasting, wagon rides, and an indoor children's activity area with crafts, games, and face painting. For more information about the festival, please call Hashawha at 410-386-3560.

MATSURI: A MIDWINTER JAPANESE FESTIVAL FOR FAMILIES, Sunday March 7, 1-5 pm, The Textile Museum, 2320 S Street, NW, Washington, DC 20008 Experience Japanese culture with the whole family! This free festival offers hands-on activities, demonstrations and performances for all ages. Program highlights include origami folding, a “chopstick challenge,” Japanese food sampling and dance performances by Shizumi Manale. Other activities include a picture taking studio with kimono and kamishibai, a paper box theater. Escape the winter doldrums with an exploration of Japan! Free; no reservations required. Presented in cooperation with the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C. Free. For more information call 202-667-0441 or see www.textilemuseum.org.

ROCKVILLE CELEBRATES 150 YEARS, March 10, 6:30 p.m. Rockville Town Square Plaza. Official ceremony to commemorate Rockville's 150th Anniversary. Speeches by local officials, performance by Rockville Jazz Ensemble, and performance by The Finest!. Join your neighbors in celebrating this important milestone and share a piece of anniversary cake! For more information see www.rockvillemd.gov/events/150.

EAGLE FESTIVAL, March 13, 8am-4pm, Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Cambridge, MD 21613. Live eagle, peregrine falcon and other birds of prey programs, kid's programs, kid's bird box construction, puppet show, eagle prowls, bird walk, wildlife exhibits and live bird exhibits, and food all day. For more information call 410-228-2677 or see www.fws.gov.

REFUGE SYSTEM BIRTHDAY BASH! Saturday, March 13, 9am-3pm, Patuxent Research Refuge, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD 20708. at National Wildlife Visitor Center on Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 197. Please join in this celebration with live music by Magpie! Other activities will include tram tours, live animals, kid’s activities, food, and much more. Come learn what YOU can do to help wildlife at this wild event! No Registration Required. For more information call 301-497-5887 or see http://patuxent.fws.gov

ANNUAL TOY AUCTION AND SHOW, March 13 and 14, Taneytown Volunteer Fire Company Carnival Grounds and Activities Building, 49 Memorial Dr., Taneytown
Sat. - Doors open at Noon; Auction 4 PM, Sun. 9 AM to 2 PM. Hess trucks, tractors, collector items and food. For more information see www.tvfc5.org

HANDS-ON HISTORY DAY: BE A WOODTURNER’S APPRENTICE, Saturday, March 13 & Sunday, March 14, 10 am-12 noon, Montpelier Mansion, 9650 Muirkirk Road, Laurel 20708. Work in a woodturner’s shop and help make chairs the old-fashioned way. Learn how the legs and spindles were turned on a foot-powered treadle lathe. You’ll get to sand and polish them, and weave the seats. When you’re done, you’ll get your very own apprentice’s contract that you’ll fill out yourself with a quill pen and ink! Reservations recommended. Ages 5 & up. Fee is $7 per child. For more information call 301-377-7817.

CCBC WOMEN’S EXPO, March 13-14, 11am – 5pm,CCBC, 800 South Rolling Road, Catonsville, MD 21228. Over 150 Women-Based Businesses with Educational Opportunities, Motivational Speakers, Used Book Fair, Home Improvements, Health and Fitness, Support Groups for Women, Fashions and Cosmetics and much, much more. Admission $6.00 per day at the door, Students with valid College ID get in FREE and Kids under 18 FREE. For more information see www.WomensExpoMD.com.

MAPLE SYRUP MAKING DEMONSTRATIONS, March 13, 14, 20 & 21, 10am-2pm. Cunningham Falls State Park, William Houck Area off Catoctin Hollow Rd., Thurmont, MD 21788. A continuous working demonstration of the traditional maple syrup making process. For more information call 301-271-7574

WILBER’S WORKSHOP, Saturday, March 13, 1 pm, College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park 20740. Get a taste of the work that went into making early aircraft with a rib-making demonstration in Wilbur’s Hangar. Come watch as a 1909 Wright wing rib is constructed and one lucky person will win the rib to take home with them. FREE with museum admission. Museum admission: $4/adults, $3/seniors, $2/ages 18 & under. For more information call 301-864-6029 or see www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com.

WOMEN IN AVIATION & SPACE FAMILY DAY, Saturday, March 13, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. 14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151. Women in Aviation & Space highlights the many achievements of women in science, technology, and aerospace. Visitors will learn about the accomplishments of Amelia Earhart , the Women Air Force Service Pilots (WASPs), astronaut Sally Ride, and women who are currently contributing to aviation, science, technology, and space exploration. Also, participate in book signings, story time, and fun and educational hands-on activities throughout the Museum. Admission: Free, Parking $15. For more information see www.nasm.si.edu.

THE BALTIMORE ST. PATRICK'S DAY PARADE, Sunday March 14, 2pm. Baltimore's St. Patrick Parade is truly the jewel in Maryland's emerald crown. For more than 50 years, thousands of spectators from the region have crowded the streets and sidewalks of downtown Baltimore and the famous Inner Harbor to watch thousands more march and celebrate Irish culture, music, song, and dance. The Shamrock 5K race begins at 1:15 p.m. at Charles and Franklin Streets. The Parade steps off at 2:00 p.m. at the Washington Monument, and continues to Pratt Street and Market Place. For more information see www.irishparade.net.

THE WASHINGTON D.C. ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE, Sunday, March 14, at 12:00 Noon, and will proceed down Constitution Avenue from 7th to 17th Streets, N.W Washington DC. The St. Patrick’s Day Parade is one of the best attended parades in Washington. The Parade is 2 ½ hours. Grandstand tickets are available. The grandstands are a great way to watch the parade. They are located adjacent to the judge's reviewing stand. This guarantees that performing groups will not just pass you by - you'll get to see them at their best, performing for the judges. And you'll get to watch from a comfortable, elevated, vantage point with nearby restroom facilities. For tickets and more information see www.dcstpatsparade.com.

KITES OF ASIA FAMILY DAY, Saturday, March 20, 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Smithsonian Air & Space Museum, Independence Avenue at 6th Street, SW Washington, DC 20560. Admission is free. Celebrate the beauty and tradition of kites from across Asia. Experience the artistry of indoor kite flying. Make your own kite. Learn about Tibetan kite making and culture. For more information see www.nasm.si.edu.

NEW AND NEARLY NEW CHILDREN’S CLOTHING AND EQUIPMENT SALE, March 20, 8am to 11:30am, (12PM-1PM, 1/2 price sale on select items) at The Cradlerock School, 6700 Cradlerock Way, Columbia MD 21045. presented by Columbia Area Mother's of Multiples. If you have kids, are pregnant or even thinking of becoming pregnant, then you do not want to miss CAMOM’s semi annual children’s new/used clothing and equipment consignment sale. Quality kids gear for preemies, infants, toddlers and pre-teens at nearly 75% off the retail price. Cash and check only. No Strollers will be allowed. Early Shopping Passes for Non-Members - A limited number of early shopping passes will be available to non-members for $10 per person. The early shopping pass gets you into the sale at 7:30, 30 minutes prior to the door opening to the general public. Email sales@camom.net to reserve and pay for your pass. For more information call (301) 996-7902.

SPRING CONSIGNMENT SALE by The Annapolis Mothers of Multiples, March 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Pasadena United Methodist Church, 61 Ritchie Hwy in Pasadena. Great bargains on gently used Spring and Summer clothing, preemie-size 10, equipment, toys, furniture, maternity, etc!! There is a 1.00 cash donation at the door. Select items will be 50% off from 11a.m. to 12 p.m. Cash Sales Only.
No strollers or backpacks allowed in the sale. There will be raffles for exciting prizes.
For details, contact Kristene McCullough/Barb Pyle at 410-647-3859 or amomsyardsale@yahoo.com or visit www.annapolismoms.org for more information.

MARYLAND GREEK INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE, March 21, 2pm. Colorful, traditional costumes and ethnic pride of both young and old will fill the streets of Baltimore as the Greek-American Community commemorates Greek Independence Day with a festive parade in Baltimore’s historic Greektown. The parade will feature dance groups in ethnic costumes, children groups, and Orthodox Clergy from the Baltimore-Washington area. These groups come from as far away as Ocean City, Hagerstown, and Frederick, Maryland, Washington, D.C., Falls Church and Fredericksburg, Virginia, as well as Lancaster and York, Pennsylvania. Delicious ethnic food will also be available. The parade route proceeds from Haven Street, up Eastern Avenue, turns right onto Ponca Street and ends two blocks past the Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church at Fait Avenue. For more information call the Parade Hotline at 410-746-0518 or see www.greekparade.com.

CHOCOLATEFEST, March 21, 2-5pm, Sykesville-Freedom Fire Company, 6680 Sykesville Rd. (Rt. 32 and Freedom Ave.), Sykesville. Sample chocolate treats from local vendors, enjoy music, silent auction, raffle and games. For more information contact Ruth Howsden at 443-918-8227

LONGABERGER BASKET BINGO, March 26, 6pm. West Friendship Elementary School at the Freedom Optimist Club located at 6315 Sykesville Road, Sykesville, MD. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., Bingo begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $16 in advance, $20 at the door. Call Kellie Cimerola, 443-812-6259 for tickets. Ticket includes 20 games and entry into door prize drawings. Raffles, Silent Auctions and Specials are extra. Food and beverage will be available for purchase.

SPRING EGG HUNT, Saturday, March 27, 10 am – 11:30 am, Schooley Mill Park 12975 Hall Shop Road, Fulton 20759. Advanced registration required- registration begins March 5. EGG HUNT STARTS at 10 am SHARP! Additional activities following the hunt. Rain date: Sunday, March 28, 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Cost is $10 per child (ages 2-10) Call 410-313-7275 for information and registration. In case of inclement weather, call 410-313-4452 after 7 a.m. for a recorded announcement about event status.

GRAND OPENING OF NEW DIGITAL PLANETARIUM AND TELESCOPE, March 27. The Department of Physics, Astronomy and Geosciences at Towson University celebrates the Grand Opening of their new Digital Planetarium and Telescope Facility on Saturday, March 27 at 8 pm in Smith Hall room 326. Physics Nobel Laureate John Mather will speak at 8 pm on the theme "From the Big Bang to Life and the End of the Universe". Dr. Mather led the team responsible for confirming the Big Bang theory with the Cosmic Background Explorer or COBE satellite in 1992. After the talk there will be free planetarium shows, telescope viewings and other activities for families and all those who are curious about their place in the Universe. For more information see www.towson.edu/physics/

THE NATIONAL CHERRY BLOSSOM FESTIVAL FAMILY DAY & OPENING CEREMONY, presented with the National Building Museum, Saturday, March 27, 401 F Street, NW, Family Day, 10:00 am - 3:30 pm., Opening Ceremony, 4:00 - 5:30 pm. Opening day marks the beginning of the two-week long celebration of the cherry blossoms and the commencement of spring in Washington, DC. For the fifth year in a row, free Family Day festivities will be presented jointly by the Festival and the National Building Museum in anticipation of thousands of families from around the region and nation that will attend Visitors of all ages will have the opportunity to enjoy a day of fun and participate in a variety of activities and see interesting displays, demonstrations, and performances. The Opening Ceremony will be held at the National Building Museum following the family activities from 4:00 to 5:30 pm. Also open to the general public a showcase of world-class entertainment representative of Japanese and Western cultures. For more information go to www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org.

TWENTY-FIRST ANNUAL WILDLIFE ART SHOW & SALE, Saturday, March 27, 9am-4:40pm, Sunday, March 28, 11am – 4:30pm, Patuxent Research Refuge, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD 20708. at National Wildlife Visitor Center on Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 197. Free. For more information call 301-497-5789 or visit the Friends of Patuxent's web site: www.friendspwrc.org

THE SMITHSONIAN KITE FESTIVAL, Saturday March 27, 10am – 4pm, Washington Monument, Washington DC. This free, public event organized by The Smithsonian Associates and the National Air and Space Museum features kite displays, demonstrations and handmade kite competitions and will showcase craft in flight, beauty in the air, and the art of making kites soar. For more information see www.kitefestival.org.

MAIN STREET HEAT REGIONAL CHILI COOKOFF, March 27, Mount Airy Fireman’s Carnival Grounds. Twin Arch Road, Mount Airy. Great Food, Fabulous Music, Classic Cars, Vendors, Kid's Activities, Contests, Free Parking. For information about the 2010 Chili Cookoff, please contact Sharon Baharoff at: theresnoplacelikehome@mris.com.

SCOUT WINGS DAY, Saturday, March 27, 12 noon-4 pm, College Park Aviation Museum, 1985 Cpl. Frank Scott Drive, College Park 20740. Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of all levels are welcome to explore the history of aviation and science of flight with a variety of fun, educational activities. Pre-registration is required. Call the museum for details. Fee: $4/scout. Museum admission: $4/adults, $3/seniors, $2/ages 2-18, FREE/children under 2. For more information call 301-864-6029 or see www.collegeparkaviationmuseum.com.

MARYLAND DAY, Day, March 28, Historic St. Mary’s City. Celebrate the state’s 376 anniversary with pomp, pageantry and free admission to living history exhibit. Program at 1 p.m., exhibits open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. At Historic St. Mary's City , colorful costumed interpreters in recreated 17th-century settings tell the stories of Maryland's first years, when St. Mary's was the colony's capital. Outdoor exhibits include the reconstructed State House of 1676, Smith's Ordinary, and the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation, a working colonial farm. At the Woodland Indian Hamlet, visitors discover how Maryland's native population interacted with English colonists. Sailors' stories of the tobacco trade and immigration resound across the deck of the Maryland Dove, a replica square-rigged ship. Hands-on activities are offered at most sites. For more information see www.stmaryscity.org.

FOLK ARTS BADGE PROGRAM FOR JUNIOR GIRL SCOUTS, Wednesday, March 31 & Thursday, April 1, 12 noon-4 pm, Darnall's Chance House Museum, 14800 Governor Oden Bowie Drive, Upper Marlboro 20772. Junior Girl Scout troops can fulfill the requirements for their Folk Arts Badge by visiting the Museum to study portraits, photographs and antiques. Two traditional arts & crafts projects are included. Groups consists of 8-16 scouts. Reservations required in advance. Fee is $7/scout (badge not included). For more information call 301-952-8010.

SILVER SPRING’S BIG CHERRY BLOCK PARTY, April 3, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm, at 908 Ellsworth Drive, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Silver Spring's Big Cherry Block Party will include arts and crafts for adults and kids, producers, exhibitors and entertainment.

CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY FAIR, Saturday, April 17, 10am -1pm, East Columbia Library, 6600 Cradlerock Way , Columbia, MD Stop by for a celebration for young children ages 3-5 years old and their families for free hand-on activities relating to school readiness including interactive games, songs, crafts and stories. The theme of the 2010 Children’s Discovery Fair is My Feelings, My Friends, My Family. Admission is free. Please bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Food Bank. For more information, please call the Howard County Office of Children’s Services at 410-313-1940 or Howard County Library at 410-313-7750.

ROAR FOR AUTISM, Sunday, April 25, Oregon Ridge Park, 13401 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030. Registration begins at 7 a.m.; 50-mile route opens at 7:30 a.m.; 25-mile route opens at 8:00 a.m.; 10-mile route opens at 9:15 a.m. Family Festival begins at 9:00 a.m. Once again adults and children of all ages will come together and ROAR to break the silence surrounding autism. ROAR for Autism will feature events and activities for every member of the family including challenging 50- and 25- mile rides, a 10-mile ride for recreational bikers, a 5-mile ride designed for beginner cyclists, and a youth fun ride. For those who prefer to stay on two feet, Oregon Ridge Nature Center will be leading guided nature walks. The popular Wegmans Wellness Village will be back once again featuring healthy food for all families including those with children on special autism diets. In addition to a bike ride, nature walk and great food, the family fun festival is sure to provide entertainment for the entire family. The online team fundraising component will continue this year; participants can go online to register, join a fundraising team, and to build a personal fundraising page to raise money from supporters. Advance Registration by April 20: Adults - $25.00, Children 12 and under - $5.00. Register by April 17 and receive a free t-shirt! On-Site Registration: Adults - $30.00, Children 12 and under - $10.00. Children 4 and under participate for free! Additionally, “Snore for ROAR” is an option for those individuals who can’t quite get out of bed that early but want to make their voice heard and “ROAR” for autism research. For more information about ROAR, or to register, visit www.ROAR.kennedykrieger.org or call 443-923-7300.

DAY OUT WITH THOMAS™: THE CELEBRATION TOUR 2010, Thomas the Tank Engine™ at the B&O Railroad Museum, 901 West Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21223, from Friday – Sunday, April 23-25 & April 30-May 2. All aboard for the best birthday party ever celebrating the 65th Anniversary of the favorite storybook engine. Thomas the Tank Engine™ is set to roll into the B&O Railroad Museum for the Day Out With Thomas™: The Celebration Tour 2010. All Thomas fans are invited to come spend the day with their favorite No. 1 engine and celebrate his 65th birthday. Day Out With Thomas is the only place for families to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of everybody’s favorite #1 engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, and enjoy Thomas-themed activities at the Imagination Station, including stamps, temporary tattoos and hands-on arts and crafts. Children of all ages can explore 40 acres of railroad history and locomotives in all sizes. In addition, to celebrate Thomas’ 65th birthday, fans will be invited to check out a mini-museum highlighting special moments and events over the years, make birthday cards for Thomas, and participate in other fun activities. The tour provides a unique, interactive family experience at every station, offering a variety of entertaining activities that reflect the local flavor of each stop. At the B&O Railroad Museum activities will include an HO model train layout inside a restored passenger car, an outdoor G-scale model train layout, a wooden climb-on train, a carnival type kiddie train ride, inflatable moon bounces, and much, much more. The approximately 25-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine will depart every 45 minutes, rain or shine, with departure times at 9:15 am through 4:00 pm daily. Tickets for the Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010 are $18 plus tax for ages two and up. Tickets are on sale now by calling toll-free 866.468.7630 or logging onto http://events.hitentertainment.com For more information and directions contact the B&O Railroad Museum at 410-752-2490 or www.borail.org. For general information on a Day Out With Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010, visit www.thomasandfriends.com.