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Land of the Free – a well-known verse written in Maryland by a Marylander. After all, Maryland is brimming with free attractions, events and things to do. Of course, some things are always free: riding along Eastern Shore bike trails; strolling the waterfront promenade in Havre de Grace at the top of the Chesapeake Bay; hiking by the Potomac on the C&O Canal; or following the Patuxent Wine Trail in Calvert County, the “Pleasant Peninsula.” Order a copy of Destination Maryland – the state's travel guide. It has a Maryland Welcome! Passport! – good for up to $3,500 in savings at 250 attractions, restaurants, retailers and places to stay. And, it's free. |
| Top image courtesy of Bill McAllen |
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Seafood festivals – Bounty of the Bay
These two annual festivals pay tribute to Maryland's seafood tradition. On Sunday, June 13, the St. Mary's Crab Festival serves up the state's signature crustacean any way you could imagine at the St. Mary's Fairgrounds in Leonardtown. Also: live country music, car show and the work of local artists. On Saturday, June 26, the Tilghman Island Summer Seafood Festival has oyster-shucking and crab-picking contests, live music, auctions, hard-crab races, a parade – and plenty of seafood from this home of Maryland's seafood industry. |
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Heritage festivals – Trains to covered wagons
- Thurmont Heritage Days, June 11-13, Thurmont, Frederick County – Free admission; covered-wagon and train rides, exhibits, car & truck show, music.
- Heritage Days Festival, June 12-13, Cumberland, Allegany County – Free admission and many free events; historic tours, steam-train excursions.
- Railroad Heritage Days Festival, June 12-13, Hagerstown, Washington County – Hagerstown Roundhouse Museum hosts this annual event, train rides.
- Montgomery County Heritage Days, June 26-27, throughout Montgomery County – Many free activities: street festivals, art shows, Civil War re-enactments, model airplanes.
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Free festivals – More choices, more fun
- Imagination Bethesda, June 5, downtown Bethesda, Montgomery County– Free children's street festival with live music, hands-on activities and roving performers.
- Charles Village Festival, June 5-6, Baltimore City – Arts & crafts, entertainment and kids' activities abound in this free urban event.
- Somerset Strawberry Festival, June 26, Marion Station, Somerset County – features Little Ms. Strawberry Pageant, kids' parade, entertainment and crafts. Free.
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Music al fresco –Blues & bluegrass
The 15th annual Western Maryland Blues Fest –a series of blues artists in concert, along with free activities for kids – runs June 3-6 in Hagerstown. Carroll County Farm Museum in Westminster presents its Fiddlers' Convention, June 13 – with more than $4,000 in cash prizes. And, Steppingstone Museum in Havre de Grace hosts its yearly Summertime Blues Festival, June 26.
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Boats & cars –To set your heart aflutter
Antique and Classic Boat Festival, June 18-20 at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, is the mid-Atlantic's largest boat festival – 100-plus boats, from hydroplanes to yachts; nautical flea market; 50 artists, craftsmen and vendors. Tobacco Trail Antique and Classic Car Meet, June 19 at Annmarie Garden Sculpture Park in Solomons, showcases more than 200 cars. Mid-Atlantic Chevelle Show & Swap Meet, June 26-27 in North East (at the head of the Chesapeake Bay), is the largest gathering of Chevelles on the East Coast. |
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