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Senior Friendly Summer Activities in Maryland 2019

6/19/2019

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By Anna Hazard
Summer Activities for Seniors in Maryland Picture

Introduction

Here are a collection of more senior friendly activities, festivals, and other forms of entertainment during the summer season within the Maryland region. The focus here is on relatively inexpensive, time limited or seasonally focused activities that take place outdoors or otherwise take advantage of the warmer weather. Many are whole family friendly and should be accessible to those with a wider range of mobility or health issues, although as always, accessibility requirements for the venue should be checked in advance for those seniors with bulky mobility aids or more severe health concerns.
 
While many festivals & exhibits are free to attend, some will require entrance fees or extra costs for added amenities, additional content, or otherwise will have more of a focus on available summer produce & other seasonal fare to purchase.

Summer Nature Exhibitions & Demonstrations Banner Picture

Summer Nature Exhibitions & Demonstrations

As the balmy summer weather often makes it possible to view and otherwise interact with wildlife that may not be available during the rest of the year, here are a selection of  wilderness, animal, and otherwise other nature related events taking place throughout the Maryland region.

​The focus here are on natural based excursions that are accessible to those with more limited mobility and are otherwise not overly physically taxing. While many of these events may have indoor components or will otherwise have shade & resting areas nearby, normal precautions should always be taken regarding any potential heat or sun-exposure related conditions.
  • Wings of Fancy Live Butterfly & Caterpillar Exhibit (Montgomery, April 17 - September 22)
  • Oregon Ridge Guided Forest Therapy Walk (Baltimore, June 11 - Aug 18)
  • Oregon Ridge Morning Bird Walks ((Baltimore, June 14 - Aug 9)
  • Yoga at the Zoo (Baltimore, June 29 - Oct 12)
  • Annual Ocean City Tuna Tournament (Worcester, July 12 - 14)
  • Tidewater Archaeology Days (St. Mary's, July 20)
  • HUK Big Fish Classic (Worcester, July 26 - 28)
  • White Marlin Open (Worcester, Aug 5 - 9)
  • Wildlife Conservation & Recreation Day (Laurel, Aug 24)
  • Sip, Stroll, & Learn at the Maryland Zoo (Baltimore, Aug 24)
Summer Arts Exhibits & Festivals Banner Picture

Summer Arts Exhibits & Festivals

In order to take advantage of the warmer temperatures and abundant summer light, many art exhibitions and festivals have moved outdoors for the season. Most of these events should be free to view with optional purchases or donations available. While these art venues generally have good accessibility for those with limited mobility, keep in mind that some of the festivities (such as Artscape & the Plein Art exhibits in particular) can have an expansive footprint that will require quite a bit of walking or traveling in order to fully cover.
  • First Sunday Arts Festival (Anne Arundel, 1st Sunday until Nov)
  • Coastal Arts Market (St. Mary's, Every 3rd Saturday, April 20 - Oct 12)
  • Clay-a-palooza (Worcester, June 22-23)
  • Paint It! Ellicott City Plein Air Exhibit (Howard, June 27 - July 1)
  • Paint It! Ellicott City Personas (Howard, July 1)
  • Art League of OC First Friday Art Exhibit Opening Reception (Worcester, July 5 + Aug 2)
  • Plein Air Easton (Talbot, July 14 - 21)
  • Artscape (Baltimore, July 19-21)
  • Artists Paint OC (Worcester, Aug 7 - 11)
  • Madonnari Arts Festival (Baltimore, Sept 6 - 8)
  • Paint Berlin Plein Air (Worcester, Sept 22)
Summer Festivals & Fairs Banner Picture

Summer Festivals & Fairs

Here are a selection of more general summer themed festivals and fairs that do not fall under any of the other categories. Generally these events will be taking place mostly outdoors, although some will include indoor elements or will have nearby shaded resting areas. Subjects covered range from history to beach festivities to celebrations of various cultures & traditions.

​Admission to most festival grounds tends to be free along with the availability of a wider range of free & paid amenities such as live music, food, produce & other ware vendors, rides, as well as a selection of lectures & shows. As these events can become crowded, accessibility should be checked in advance for those with more bulky mobility aids or other health concerns.
  • Revolutionary London Town/Coffee with Colonists (Anne Arundel, July 6 - 7)
  • Kent Island Fireman's Carnival (Kent Island, July 22 - 27)
  • Illuminate The Beach Festival (Worcester, July 27)
  • Nextival (Anne Arundel, July 13)
  • Great Chesapeake Balloon & Wine Festival (Talbot, Aug 2 - 4 )
  • Beach Party on the Square (St. Mary's, Aug 3)
  • National Night Out (Worcester, Aug 6)
  • Pirates & Wenches Fantasy Weekend (Kent, Aug 9 - 11)
  • Celtic Weekend (Anne Arundel, Aug 10 - 11)
  • Watermen's Appreciation Day (Talbot, Aug 11)
  • Caroline SummerFest (Caroline, Aug 16 - 17)
  • Country Fest (Garrett, Aug 24)
  • Maryland Renaissance Festival (Aug 24 - Oct 20)
  • Greenbelt Labor Day Festival (Prince George's, Aug 30 - Sept 2)
  • CrowFest (Kent, Sept 8)
  • Ocean City SunFest (Worcester, Sept 19 - 22) 
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Summer County Fairs

The long days, bright sunshine, and warmer temperatures of summer are an optimal time for county-sponsored fairs to be held. Here are a selection of various official county fairs scattered around the Maryland region during this summer season. Fairs tend to require paid admission, have extended periods of availability, as well as being generally larger then other themed festivals.

​They cover a wide range of interests including live stock, produce, carnival & fair food, games, rides, music & other live entertainment, along with a broad range of vendors. The bulk of the fairs will be held outside, but many also contain some indoor components for those who may need to take shelter from the summer heat & sun. Keep in mind that fair grounds tend to be expansive and crowded, so concerns regarding accessibility and mobility should be checked in advance.
  • Alleghany County Fair (July 12 - 20)
  • Washington County AG Expo & Fair (July 13 - 20)
  • Kent County Fair (July 18 - 19)
  • Cecil County Fair (July 19 - 27)
  • Harford County Farm Fair (July 22 - 27)
  • Sommerset County Fair (July 22 - 28)
  • Carroll County 4-H Fair (July 27 - Aug 2)
  • Garrett County Agricultural Fair (July 27 - Aug 3)
  • Howard County Fair (Aug 3 - 10)
  • Caroline-Dorchester County Fair (Aug 7 - 10)
  • Montgomery County Agricultural Fair (Aug 9 - 17)
  • Queen Anne's County Fair  (Aug 12 - 17)
  • Wicomico State Fair (Aug 16 - 18)
  • Maryland State Fair (Aug 22 - Sept 2)
  • Prince George's County Fair (Sept 5 - 8)
  • Anne Arundel County Fair (Sept 11 - 15)
  • Charles County Fair (Sept 12 - 15)
  • Worcester County Fair (Sept 13 - 15)
  • The Great Frederick Fair (Sept 13 - 21)
  • St. Mary's County Fair (Sept 19 - 22)
Summer Music Festivals Picture

Summer Music Festivals

Like many other festivals during the season, summer music festivals tend to take place outdoors with accessibility varying depending upon the exact venue. Unlike the concert series, these events are only available during a short period of time and while many tend to have free overall admission, there is usually a wide variety of extra paid amenities available including food, vendors carrying a variety of different wares & goods, various extra shows, lectures, workshops, or special concerts requiring additional entrance fees. Paid admission tends to be required for those festivals mainly focused on their available concerts alone.
  • Jellyfish Festival (Worcester, June 21 - 23)
  • Little Yough Summer Music Festival (Garrett,  July 12 - Aug 30)
  • Summer Reggae Wine Festival (Mount Airy, July 20 - 21)
  • Wine & Jazz at Marietta (Prince George's, Aug 3)
  • Leonardtown Summer Music Festival (St. Mary's, Aug 3)
  • Moonrise Festival (Baltimore, Aug 10 - 11)
  • Hot August Music Festival (Baltimore, Aug 17)
  • Monty Alexander Jazz Festival (Talbot, Aug 30 - Sept 1)
  • National Folk Festival (Wicomico, Sept 6 - 8)
  • Chesterton Jazz Festival (Kent, Sept 12 - 14)
  • Berlin Fiddler's & Bluegrass Convention (Worcester, Sept 20 - 22)
  • GrooveFEST (Dorchester, Sept 21)
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Summer Concert Series

With the warmer temperatures and extended hours of daylight, summer is an optimal time to take music celebrations & concerts out of doors. Here are a selection of concert series being held throughout Maryland during the summer seasons. Unlike with the music festivals, these are repeating events held on different days every week, month, or every couple weeks and their main focus will be entirely on music (instead of the mixture of music, vendors, food, and other events & activities often available at festivals).  

Most concerts will be held at outside venues, many entirely free or with nominal entrance fees, and will include a variety of music genres depending upon the exact date or concert in question.
  • Summer Jam Series (Prince George's, Every 3rd Friday, May 17 - Sept 20)
  • Baker Park Summer Concert Series (Garrett, Sundays June - Aug)
  • Kensington Summer Concert Series (Montgomery, June 8 - Sept 28)
  • Fairwood Summer Performances Series (Prince George's, June 9 - Aug 25)
  • Baker's Park Summer Concert Series (Frederick, June 9 - Aug 25)
  • Tides & Tunes (Anne Arundel, June 13 - Aug 15)
  • Chesapeake Beach Summer Concerts (Calvert, June 13 - Sept 7)
  • 2nd Friday Harford Vineyard's Music Event (Harford, June 14 - Sept 13)
  • Groovin' in the Grass (Baltimore, June 16 - Aug 4)
  • Festival Baltimore (Baltimore, June 15 - 30)
  • Merriweather Post Pavilion Summer Concerts (Columbia, June 14 - Sept 29)
  • Ladew Gardens Groovin' in the Grass Summer Concert Series (June 16 - Aug 4)
  • Sundaes in the Park (Worcester, June 16 - Sept 1)
  • St. Mary's River Concert Series (St. Mary's June 21 - July 19)
  • MECU Pier 6 Pavilion Summer Concerts (Baltimore, June 22 - Sept 4)
  • Calvert Marine Museum Waterside Concerts (Calvert, July 3 - Aug 2)
  • Strathmore Live from the Lawn (Montgomery, July 10 - Aug 28)
  • Sunset Park Party Nights (Worcester, July 11 - Aug 29)
  • Berlin Concert on the Lawn (Worcester, July 14 - Sept 8)
  • Historic Londontown Summer Concert Series (Anne Arundel, Aug 4 - Aug 18)
Outdoor Movies & Plays Banner Picture

Outdoor Movies & Plays

Summer is a good time to enjoy an outdoor flick or a bit of outdoor live theater, especially during the cooler evenings when one doesn't have to worry about avoiding direct sunlight. Many outdoor movies & theater being held in Maryland are free to attend or have nominal entrance/viewing fees. Most movies are meant for pedestrians, but a few drive-ins are also available for those who may wish to take advantage of the air conditioning available within a vehicle.

While the movies tend to be held during the cooler times of the evening, care should be taken in preparing the summer heat, preventing dehydration, as well as checking for accessibility in advance as venues will include outdoor parks, beaches, and other grassy areas as well as paved areas such as parking lots.
  • Movies on the Potomac (Prince George's, May 2 - Sept 29)
  • Outdoor Summer Movies at Wine Bin (Howard, May 24 - Oct 26)
  • Movies on the Beach (Worcester, June 5 - Aug 28)
  • Bel Air Summer Movie Nights (Harford, June 7 - Aug 16)
  • Pocket Park Movies (Garrett, June 13 - Aug 15)
  • Poolesville Summer Movies (Montgomery, June 14 - Aug 23)
  • Movies on the Beach (Calvert, June 15 - Sept 21)
  • Berlin Outdoor Movies Nights (Worcester,  June 15 - Oct 19)
  • Movie Night in Downtown Frederick (June 21 - Oct 18)
  • Summer Movie Night (Montgomery June 22 - July 27)
  • Flicks from the Hill (Baltimore, July 11 - Aug 22)
  • Movies in the Park (Montgomery, Aug 7 - 28)
  • Shakespeare on Pitt Street (Worcester, August 31)
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Summer Food Festivals

Here are selection of more culinary focused festivals available throughout the Maryland region this summer. Most of them are outdoor events held throughout varying times (including evening activities for those seeking to avoid the prime summer heat & sunlight). The general focus is on food that is in fresh supply in the local region during the summer months including barbecue as well as seafood such as crabs, clams, & oysters, and more vegan fair focusing on produce such as blueberries, strawberries, peaches, cherries, apples, and blackberries. A variety of vendors (including non-food ones), games, music, and other activities are also available during these festivals.
  • Dinner Under the Stars (Anne Arundel, May 29 - Sept)
  • Maryland Foodie Fest (Harford, June 22)
  • Chesapeake Crab, Wine and Beer Festival  (Baltimore, June 22)
  • Bluegrass in the Blueberries (Queen Anne's, June 23)
  • Potomac Jazz & Seafood Festival Celebration  (July 12 - 14, St. Mary's)
  • Tilghman Island Seafood Festival (Talbot, July 13)
  • Berry Good Time (Baltimore, July 13)
  • Taste of Cambridge Crab Cook-off & Fest (Dorchester, July 13)
  • J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake (Somerset, July 17)
  • Very Cherry Harvest Party! (Elkton, July 22 - 23)
  • Tri-fecta Food Truck Festival (Baltimore, July 27)
  • Annual Peach Festival (Annapolis, Aug 3 )
  • Vegan Soulfest (Baltimore, Aug 3)
  • Berlin Peach Festival (Worcester, Aug 3)
  • Fort McHenry Crab Feast (Baltimore, Aug 3)
  • Sudlersville Peach Festival (Queen Anne's, Aug 4)
  • Maryland Seafood Festival (Anne Arundel, Aug 7 - 8)
  • Maryland BBQ Bash (Harford, Aug 9 - 10)
  • Seafood Feast-I-Val (Dorchester, Aug 10)
  • Peach & Blackberry Festival (Baltimore, Aug 10 - 11)
  • Pig Out in the Park BBQ Bash (Alleghany, Aug 17)
  • Chesapeake Crab, Wine & Beer Festival (Prince George's, Aug 24)
  • National Hard Crab Derby (Sommerset, Aug 26 - Sept 1)
  • Taste the Beaches (Calvert, Sept 14)
  • Johnny Appleseed Festival (Baltimore, Sept 21 - 22)
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Summer Restaurant Weeks

Restaurant Weeks include a selection of discounted dishes from a wide variety of restaurants and cafes throughout the Maryland region and are available for a limited time during each county's designated week. Restaurant Week dining is usually through on-line reservations in advance or can be requested during walk-ins when available. This usually includes a pre-set multi-course menu and can be a good option for those seniors with more limited mobility or greater health issues that prevent them from attending outdoor food festivals, farmer markets, or pick-your own events.
  • Howard County Summer Restaurant Week (July 22 - Aug 5)
  • Baltimore Restaurant Week (Aug 2 - Aug 11)
  • Baltimore County Restaurant Week (Aug 2 - 17)
  • Baltimore Vegan Restaurant Week (Aug 16 - Sept 1)
  • Alleghany County Restaurant Week (Aug 23 - Sept 1)
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Summer Produce Picking

For those seniors capable of maneuvering through garden & orchard paths, pick-your-own events at local farms can be a fun & family friendly way to get a bit of extra exercise and outdoor air while gaining a selection of fresh, local produce for the pantry. These will include summer seasonal herbs, fruits, vegetables, and other fresh produce (often including meat & eggs), as well as flowers.

​In-season summer produce that is usually locally available during the summer include sunflowers, pod peas, beets, currants, peaches, cherries, nectarines, apricots, melons, some varieties of apples, and many types of berries (including strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, gooseberries depending on the exact time of month
  • Anne Arundel : Berry Daze | Holiday Memories Farm
  • Baltimore: Weber's Cider Mill Farms | Hybridoma Farms | Shaw Orchard |  Maryland Agriculture Resource Council | Jones Produce Farm
  • Calvert : Swann Farms
  • Caroline : Harris Farms Market
  • Carroll : Larriland Farm | Baugher's
  • Cecil : Millburn Orchards | Walnut Springs
  • Charles : Shlagel Farms 
  • Dorchester : Emily's Produce
  • Frederick : Catoctin Mountain Orchard | Sycamore Spring Farm | Pryor's Orchard | Mayne's Tree Farm | Glade Link
  • Harford : Shaw Orchard's | Harman's Farm Market
  • Howard : Larriland Farm | Gorman Farms
  • Kent: Lockbriar Farms
  • Montgomery: Homestead Farms | Butler's Orchard | Water's Orchard | Rock Hill Orchard | Kingsbury Orchard | Farm at Home | Blueberry Gardens |
  • Mount Airy : Rock Hill Orchards
  • Prince George's : Queen Anne Farm
  • Queen Anne's : Godfrey's Farm | White Marsh Orchard
  • St. Mary's : Forrest Hall Farm
  • Washington : Litton's Produce & Berries | Garden Hour Orchards | Frog Eye Farm
  • Wicomico : Wright's Market
  • Worcester : Berlin Organics | Assateague Farm
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Summer Farmer's Markets

Farmer's Markets are a good option for those seniors who don't have the health or mobility for picking their own produce from the farms themselves yet would still like the ability to go shopping for their own local produce in person. Here are a selection of some of the larger multi-vendor farmer's markets available throughout the Maryland region during the summer season.

In addition, many of the above listed pick-your-own farms also have their own private farmer's markets where their produce can be bought without having to go through the trouble of picking it from the field yourself. While most markets take place outdoors, there are a selection of partial or entirely indoor markets for those whose health require more shaded and cooled environments.
  • Anne Arundel : Crofton Farmer's Market | Anne Arundel County Farmer's Market
  • Baltimore City : 32nd Street Farmer's Market | Baltimore Farmer's Market & Bazaar |  Cross Street Farmer's Market | Druid Hill Farmer's Market | Fell's Point Farmer's Market  | Govan's Farmer's Market |  University Farmer's Market | Pigtown Farmer's Market | BMI Farmer's Market |
  • Baltimore County : Boordy Good Life Farmer's Market | Baltimore County Farmer's Market | Catonsville Farmer's Market | Catonsville Sunday Farmer's Market | Kenilworth Farmer's Market | Reisterstown Farmer's Market | Pikesville Farmer's Market 
  • Calvert : Calvert County Farmer's Market
  • Carroll : Caroll County Farmer's Market | Hampstead Farmer's Market | Mount Airy Main Street Farmer's Market | Sykesville Farmer's Market
  • Cecil : Perryville Farmer's Market
  • Dorchester : Long Wharf Farmer's Market
  • Frederick : Frederick City Market | Middletown Farmer's Market | NCI Farmer's Market | Field Fresh Farmer's Market | Emmitsburg's Farmers' Market
  • Garrett : Mountain Fresh Farmer's Market
  • Harford : Harford County Farmer's Markets | Havre de Grace Farmer's Market | Bel Air Farmer's Market
  • Howard: Ellicot City Old Town Market | Howard County Farmer's Market | Maple Lawn Farmer's Market
  • Kent: Chestertown Farmer's Market
  • Montgomery: Central Farm Markets | Farm Women's Market | Dawson's Market | Montgomery Village Farmer's Market | Olney Farmer & Artist Market | Potomac Village Farmer's Market | Shady Grove Farmer's Market | Takoma Park Farmer's Market | Rockville Farmer's Market  | Fulk's Corner/Main Street Farmer's Markets | Kensington Farmer's Market | Freshfarm Farmer's Market | Derwood Farmer's Market | Crossroads Farmer's Market
  • Prince George's : Farmer's Market at Maryland | Greenbelt Farner's Market | Hollywood Farmer's Market | Downtown College Park Farmers Market | Cheverly Community Market
  • Queen Anne's : Kent Island Farmer's Market
  • St. Mary's : Homegrown Farmer's Market
  • Talbot : Easton Farmer's Market
  • Worcester : Ocean Pines Farmer's Market
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