Labor Day Outside of Downtown Baltimore

Well, with the Grand Prix road closures already causing major issues with traffic in Downtown Baltimore on Thursday, many who are staying in town for Labor Day weekend wonder what activities there may be to do — OUTSIDE of the city.

Baltimore County has much to offer!

The Maryland State Fair is still going strong through the weekend and runs through Monday. Enjoy the rides, games and livestock!

If the weather is nice, head on over to Rocky Point Beach & Park. There is swimming, beach, fishing, and wildlife. Rocky Point is located at 2200 Rocky Point Road, Essex, MD 21221.

There is also North Point State Park — and you can even bring your pets to undeveloped areas and North Point Battlefield. North Point is located in Dundalk across the bay from Rocky Point at 8700 North Point Road, Edgemere, MD 21219.

The Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Hunt Valley is open Saturday & Sunday (they are always closed Monday). This weekend they have a special class on Poisonous & Venomous Animals for $3 per person 2-4 pm. The Nature Center itself and the grounds to explore are free to visit! Indoors there is a museum with wildlife exhibits of turtles, live snakes, fish, amphibians, and honeybees.

Oregon Ridge Park also has a beach for swimming if the weather is nice!

It is the last weekend for the local pools, so take advantage of the end of summer.

Rainy? The Baltimore County Public Libraries are open over the weekend (but are closed Monday to observe Labor Day.) The Cockeysville library is also closed Sundays until October 2, but others are open, like the Towson Library!

Also, if the weather isn’t fantastic, kiddos can hit Red Zone in Timonium — they have laser tag, a laser maze, glow-in-the-dark mini golf, games, and more.

So come on out to Baltimore County for Labor Day fun, and avoid the Downtown Baltimore Grand Prix traffic!

4th of July Baltimore Fireworks and Parades 2011

Are you staying in town for 4th of July?

There are plenty of events happening in Baltimore County.

Baltimore County 4th of July fireworks will happen on a few different days in different locations.

The Baltimore County fireworks schedule, per their website, is currently:

July 2, 2011

Eastern Yacht Club
2330 Seneca Road

Jacksonville Elementary School (rain date July 9)
3400 Hillendale Road

Martin’s West
6821 Dogwood Road

Oregon Ridge Park
13401 Beaver Dam Road

July 3, 2011

Oregon Ridge Park
13401 Beaver Dam Road

Baltimore Country Club (rain date July 8th)
11500 Mays Chapel Road

The Suburban Club (rain date July 5)
7600 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, 21209

Woodholme Country Club (rain date July 5)
300 Woodholme Avenue

July 4, 2011

Catonsville High School (rain date July 9)
421 Bloomsbury Avenue, Catonsville

Fullerton Park (rain date July 5)
4304 Fullerton Avenue

Grange Elementary School (rain date July 5)
2000 Church Road, Dundalk

Green Spring Valley Hunt Club (rain date Juily 5)
30 Greenspring Valley Road

8101 LaSalle Road (rain date July 5)
Loch Raven Academy

July 10, 2011

Hereford High School (rain date July 11)
510 Monkton Road

Usually the Baltimore County Government’s website also has the list of parades available, but this year they don’t. Here is a compilation of what I was able to find:

Towson Fourth of July Parade
July 4, 2011 10:30am
Towsontown Blvd & Bosley Ave, Towson, MD

Catonsville Fourth of July Parade

July 4, 2011 3:00pm
Frederick Rd, Catonsville, MD

Dundalk Fourth of July Parade
July 4, 2011 8:15am
Beginning at Logan Point Shopping Center
Dundalk, Maryland

Hereford Independence Day Parade

July 10, 2011 3pm

Do you know of any other Baltimore County 4th of July parades? Let me know, and I will add them to the list!

 

 

Great Grapes at Oregon Ridge 2011

The Great Grapes Wine Festival will be back at Oregon Ridge Park in Hunt Valley on June 11 & 12, 2011!

Always a good time for all, the festival has plenty for both adults and kids to enjoy!

New this year is a shuttle from the Hunt Valley Light Rail Station, which runs from 11am-7pm.

Bring your lawn chairs and your blankets, and enjoy the live music and a day of fun.

Tickets are $25 at the door ($20 for designated driver tickets), and free for children.

As the Great Grapes website says, “Uncork the Fun!”

Come out to the wonderful Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville this weekend!

Baltimore Earth Day 2011

Friday, April 22, 2011 is Earth Day across the US.

Earth Day began on April 22 in 1970, making this the 41st Anniversary. The first Earth Day, according to Wikipedia, was originally a teach-in held by US Senator Gaylord Nelson, and 20 million people participated. It is now celebrated in 175 countries, and over 500 million join in.

Earth Day in Baltimore brings a number of activities to celebrate.

In Towson, the Towson ARTS Collective has an exhibit, “The Process of Peace”, running through May 20. Friday is a free reception from 6-8 pm to celebrate Baltimore Earth Week’s 8th Anniversary.

On Saturday, The Maryland Science Center in Downtown Baltimore will have Earth Day and recycling activities from noon-4pm which is included in the cost of admission.

The Irvine Nature Center in Owings Mills has multiple events going on Saturday — with the Junior Naturalists in the morning, and then “rainy day” Earth Day activities from 1-2:30pm. They’ll be using broken crayons, old magazines, and more to recycle into new products and projects! For non-members there is a cost.

The Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Hunt Valley will also have its’ “Earth Day Greening” from 1-4pm, where those ages seven and older will be able to help plant trees, and assist in cleaning up the trail & park. This event is free!

You can always celebrate Earth Day at your own Baltimore home too. Plant trees, change lightbulbs to those that use less energy, turn off lights when you are not using them, and recycle materials!

Oregon Ridge Pancake Breakfast 2011

The Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Cockeysville is having its’ annual Pancake Breakfast this Saturday and Sunday, March 5 & 6, 2011 from 8am-noon.

Using real maple syrup from the trees in the park, like that tapped last weekend at the Maple Syrup event, it should be a great time for all!

Tickets are $6.00 for adults, and $3.00 for children aged 2-8, and can be purchased at the door.

Come to Cockeysville this weekend, and enjoy some beautiful nature and yummy pancakes and real maple syrup!

Oregon Ridge Nature Center is located in Oregon Ridge Park at 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030. The Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday 9-5, and the park is open daily from dawn to dusk, plus additional hours for special events.

Baltimore 4th of July Events

Baltimore has many 4th of July events for people to enjoy.

The largest one is in Downtown Baltimore called “Ports of America Chesapeake Fourth of July Celebration”. Entertainment begins at 2 pm with the jazz band Lovecraft, and at 8 pm the Naval Academy’s Electric Brigade begins at 8 pm.

Fireworks are scheduled to go off at 9:30 pm and can be seen from the Inner Harbor, Fell’s Point, Federal Hill, and other places around the harbor. The music and entertainment is located in the Inner Harbor at Harborplace Amphitheater located at 401 Light Street.

Friday and Saturday, the 2nd & 3rd, Harborplace celebrates its’ 30th Anniversary. Since it was opened in 1980, they are having 80′s themed Anniversary fun, so you can join in and hopefully have a blast!

In Baltimore County, at Oregon Ridge in Cockeysville, the BSO Start Spangled Spectacular happens both July 3rd & 4th! Gates open at 5 pm and the concert begins at 8 pm. Tickets are available online now. It culminates in a huge fireworks display accompanied by the Orchestra.

There are a number of places in Baltimore County where fireworks are scheduled on the 3rd, 4th and 5th, so you can enjoy three nights in a row! Baltimore County’s website lists:

July 3, 2010

Baltimore Country Club (rain date July 4)
11500 Mays Chapel Road

Catonsville High School (rain date July 4)
421 Bloomsbury Avenue, Catonsville

Eastern Yacht Club (no rain date)
918 Seneca Road, The Barge

Grange Elementary School (rain date July 5)
2000 Church Road, Dundalk

Oregon Ridge Park (no rain date)
13401 Beaver Dam Road

The Suburban Club (rain date July 5)
7600 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, 21209

Woodholme Country Club (rain date July 5)
300 Woodholme Avenue

July 4, 2010

Fullerton Park (rain date July 5)
4208 Fullerton Avenue

Loch Raven Academy (rain date July 5)
8101 LaSalle Road

Oregon Ridge Park (no rain date)
13401 Beaver Dam Road

July 5, 2010

Hereford High School (rain date July 6)
17220 York Road, Hereford

For parades and more daytime fun, the Baltimore County website shows quite a few from Kingsville to Towson to Catonsville!

Saturday, July 3

Arbutus Recreation Council
Begin: 12:30 p.m.
End: 1 p.m.
Route: Formation area: Tom Day Boulevard Route: Tom Day Boulevard to Carville Avenue to East Drive. (Super Fresh store parking lot)

Catonsville Celebrations Committee
Begin: 3 p.m.
End: 5:30 p.m.
Route: Formation area: Montrose Avenue; Bloomingdale Avenue; Route: Starting at Montrose Avenue and Frederick Road, proceed east on Frederick Road to Bloomsbury Avenue, turn right on Bloomingdale.

Dundalk Heritage Parade Committee
Begin: 8 a.m.
End: 1 p.m.
Route: Formation Area: Logan Village Shopping Center. Route: North on Dundalk Avenue, east on Belcare, north on Liberty Parkway, west on Dunglow Road, west on Dunmanway, north on Shipping Place, east on Shipway, north on Admiral Boulevard, south on Liberty Parkway to Dunmanway.

Glyndon Community Association, Inc
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: noon
Route: Formation area: Albright Avenue. Route: Albright Avenue east to Central Avenue, north onto Central to Chatsworth Avenue, west onto Chatsworth to Railroad Avenue, south onto Railroad to Albright Avenue.

Hampton Improvement Association
Begin: 8:45 a.m.
End: 9 a.m.
Route: Formation: Dead end court Gateshead & Seminary Ave; Start north end of Gateshead Rd, down to St Francis Road left onto Valley View Drive, quick right in to Hampton Mansion farmhouse grounds.

Greater Kingsville Civic Association
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: 11 a.m.
Route: Formation area: Kingsville Fire Hall, Bradshaw Road and St. Stephen’s Church lot for fire trucks and large vehicles. Route: from Kingsville Volunteer Fire Department grounds, down Bradshaw Road, right on Jerusalem Road, at judges viewing stand to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Street parking lot.

Pine Valley / Valleywood Community Association
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: 10:45 a.m.
Route: Formation area: Pine Valley Drive and Presway Road; Start at Pine Valley Drive and Presway Road-South to Sandee Road left  then left on Rickswood Road into school (Pinewood Elementary) parking lot.

Towson Area Fourth of July Parade
Begin: 10:30 a.m.
End: 1 p.m.
Route: Formation: Towson University (Burke & Bosley) disperse at Burke & Washington Avenue.

Wilson Point Civic Association
Begin: 9 a.m.
End: 10:30 a.m.
Route: Formation Area: Middle River Vol. Fire Co & Beech Drive-Route: Right onto Wilson Point Road-right onto Dogwood Drive, left onto Shore Road, left onto Hazel Drive, left onto Wilson Point Road, to the Middle River Vol. Fire Company’s lot for disbursement. Distance total 1.6 miles.

Sunday, July 4

Sudbrook Park Inc.
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: 11 a.m.
Route: Formation area: Triangle at Adana Road, Kingston Road and Windsor Road. Dispersal area: Playground McHenry Road. Route: Parade travels up Adana Road, turns right into Carysbrook Road, turns right onto Olmstead Road, turns left onto McHenry and ends at playground on McHenry Road.

Coachford / Springlake Community Association
Begin: 10 a.m.
End: 11 a.m.
Route: Formation area: Galewood Circle-Timonium; Route: Galewood Road, right on Tregarone, right on Hartfell, left on Fallsbrook Road, left on Springlake Drive, left into Pot Spring School parking lot.

Colonial Village Neighborhood Association
Begin: 9:30 a.m.
End: 10:30 a.m.
Route: Formation: Lowell Drive at Deerfield Road / Lowell Drive; Route: east at Plymouth Road, south at Concord Road, west on Concord Ending at Salem Court.

Monday, July 5

Hereford Optimist Club
Begin: 5:30 p.m.
End: 8 p.m.
Route: Formation area: Hereford SHA lot; beginning at Hereford Shopping Center, start east on Mt. Carmel Rd to North onto York Road (Rte 45) end at Hereford High School.

Some culminate in the fireworks displays in the area.

So enjoy 4th of July in Baltimore. There is plenty to do!

Photo courtesy of Sam Howzit via Flickr CC

Oregon Ridge in Cockeysville Flag Day and Fireworks

Visit Oregon Ridge in Cockeysville Monday night for Flag Day and fireworks — all for free!

Monday, June 14, 2010 is Flag Day, and Oregon Ridge is doing it in style. The American Flag Foundation, Inc. is hosting their 31st Annual “Pause for the Pledge” event in Cockeysville this year from 6-9 pm.

From the coordinators:

Lead the Nation in saying the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:00 p.m. EDT.
Band Concert and a Fly-Over by the A-10 Thunderbolt Jets Of the 104th Fighter Squadron 175th Wing, Maryland Air National Guard

Program concludes with Spectacular Fireworks Display. Come join us as we celebrate with a Star-Spangled Banner Program!

This looks to be a fun event for all — and the flyover is always a popular, loud, and exciting experience.

Celebrate our Flag in an enjoyable and Patriotic way on Monday for Flag Day at Oregon Ridge.

There are a number of events to observe Flag Day in Baltimore County, including at Pickersgill in Towson. Just don’t miss out on celebrating!

Great Grapes Oregon Ridge

Great Grapes Wine, Arts & Foods Festival traveling wine fest is coming next weekend, June 12 & 13, 2010.

There will be 20 wineries there, as well as family activities, like a great playground and a stage with live music to enjoy.

Crafts, cooking & wine pairings, and organic farm products will be on hand. Great Grapes is open from 12-6 pm both days.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the event. A designated driver ticket is $15, and kids under 12 are free.

All of this at the wonderful Oregon Ridge Park in Cockeysville!

Oregon Ridge Nature Center Cockeysville Celebrates Arbor Day with Dr Seuss

Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Cockeysville is Dr. Seuss-ing it up for Arbor Day on April 24, 2010.

From 2-4 pm, enjoy Lorax themed crafts, listening to the story, and watching the movie!

Arbor Day arrives two days after Earth Day, so it is a perfect time to hit the Nature Center at Oregon Ridge. Not only is this event going on, but you can also visit the Oregon Ridge trails, Oregon Ridge Park, and enjoy the great outdoors in a beautiful setting!

Oregon Ridge Nature Center is located in Oregon Ridge Park at 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030. The Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday 9-5, and the park is open daily from dawn to dusk, plus additional hours for special events.

Oregon Ridge Nature Center in Hunt Valley this Weekend – “Scrambled Eggs”

Looking for something outdoors, interesting and fun to do this beautifully warm, sunny weekend?

Well, pack up your rain boots and head to Hunt Valley to the Oregon Ridge Nature Center where a Naturalist will take you around and show you which “critters” laid which eggs around Oregon Ridge Park!

Amphibians have laid their eggs by the masses in the ponds, and this is your chance to wade in the water and closely inspect these eggs.

The tour is from 2-4 pm both Saturday and Sunday, March 20 & 21.

So WELCOME SPRING, and COME ON OVER to Cockeysville!

Oregon Ridge Nature Center is located in Oregon Ridge Park at 13555 Beaver Dam Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030. The Nature Center is open Tuesday through Sunday 9-5, and the park is open daily from dawn to dusk, plus additional hours for special events.

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