August 1, 2019
Media Contact:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
74th Howard County Fair
Saturday, August 3 to Saturday, August 10, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. daily
Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship
Now in its 74th year, nothing compares to the Howard County Fair. From amusement rides and games, great food, livestock and agricultural events galore, musical entertainment and more, there is something for everyone at this year’s Fair.
Contact: Howard County Fair, 410-442-1022, Info@HowardCountyFairMD.com
Coffee with a Cop
Sunday, August 4, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Tous Les Jours Bakery, 9380 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 111, Ellicott City
Come meet face-to-face with HCPD's Community Outreach Officers in an informal and neutral space to discuss issues, ask questions and build relationships one cup of coffee at a time. As always, coffee and conversation are on the house. For more information and/or questions, contact HCPD's Community Outreach Division at 410-313-2207.
Contact: Howard County Police Department, Office of Public Affairs, 410-313-2236
Senior Day at the Howard County Fair
Tuesday, August 6, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship
Fairgoers, age 62 and older, are invited to come out and take advantage of FREE admission, entertainment and an exercise demonstration for Senior Day at the Howard County Fair. Enjoy bingo games and prizes, healthy aging programs, exhibits and more.
Contact: Office on Aging and Independence, 410-313-6410
Public Safety Day at the Howard County Fair
Tuesday, August 6, 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Howard County Fairgrounds, 2210 Fairgrounds Road, West Friendship
Hosted by the Howard County Fair, the Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services will present a fire demonstration and members of the community outreach section will be there.
Contact: Howard County Fair, 410-442-1022, Info@HowardCountyFairMD.com
National Night Out
Tuesday, August 6, 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Long Reach Village Center, 8775 Cloudleap Court, Columbia
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball and Howard County Police Department (HCPD) have teamed up with National Town Watch Association to sponsor the 36th annual National Night Out (NNO). NNO is an annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. NNO enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement, while fostering a true sense of community. In support of crime prevention efforts, thousands of communities across America will be turning on their outside lights and stepping outside to take part in NNO neighborhood events and block parties. For a complete list of parties in Howard County, click HERE. HCPD will host a NNO kick-off event in the Long Reach Village Center starting at 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Howard County Police Department, Office of Public Affairs, 410-313-2236, HCPDnews@howardcountymd.gov
Sunset Serenades
Wednesday evenings through August 7, 7:00 p.m.
Centennial Park South, 10000 Route 108, Ellicott City
On Wednesdays between July 10 and August 7, enjoy this popular summer concert series. The following group is scheduled to appear in August:
- Wednesday, August 7 – GrooveQuest (60’s Rock)
The series is free. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, a picnic supper, rent a canoe or paddleboat and enjoy music in the park. Refreshments will be available for sale during Sunset Serenades, at the Centennial Park Adventure Shack. Also, at all Sunset Serenades concerts, the Community Action Council of Howard County, Inc. will be collecting non-perishable food items for the Howard County Food Bank.
Contacts: Karen Bradley Ehler, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4635 kehler@howardcountymd.gov, or Danielle Bassett, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4634, dbassett@howardcountymd.gov
Traveling Bands
Various dates/locations through August 9, 2019
Enjoy these free concerts. The following groups are scheduled to appear in August:
- Sunday, August 4, 10:00 a.m. – Mr. Jon and Friends (Children’s Music), The Chyrsalis, Symphony Woods, Merriweather Park, 10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia. The event is free, but tickets are required.
- Friday, August 9, 7:00 p.m. – T&T Baltimore Steel Drum Orchestra (Caribbean Music), North Laurel Community Center, 9411 Whiskey Bottom Road, Laurel
Check out www.howardcountymd.gov/sunsetserenades for the complete summer entertainment series schedule and more details.
Contacts: Karen Bradley Ehler, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4635 kehler@howardcountymd.gov, or Danielle Bassett, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4634, dbassett@howardcountymd.gov
Chrysalis Kids – Beat Bugs: A Musical Adventure
Saturday, August 10, 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, 10431 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
The Drama Learning Center’s Teaching Young Artists program brings its second production to “Chrysalis Kids.” Inspired by music made famous by The Beatles, Beat Bugs: A Musical Adventure hits the Chrysalis stage this August. Meet the Beat Bugs – five insect pals who explore the world and pick up life lessons along the way in this new musical, based on the Netflix animated series that incorporates songs of that famous band. For more information and tickets to this free event, click HERE. Chrysalis Kids is part of Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods’ spring, summer and fall series of outdoor, free performances and other arts events.
Contact: Inner Arbor Trust, 410-740-0029, info@innerarbortrust.org
Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services Trainee Class 31 Graduation
Friday, August 16, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Grace Community Church, 8200 Old Columbia Road, Fulton
Join Department of Fire Rescue Services Chief Christine Uhlhorn and members of the Howard County Council as 35 recruits of Fire Academy Class 31 as they are sworn in as Department of Fire and Rescue Recruits. All members of Academy Class 31 will work in Howard County.
Contact: Department of Fire and Rescue Services Media Line, 410-313-6039
The Music of Puerto Rico With Cultura Plenara
Sunday, August 18, 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods, 10431 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia
Part of the free Community Concerts at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods’ Chrysalis, join the Maryland Traditions Heritage for its award-winning Cultura Plenara for Music of Puerto Rico. Cultura Plenera is a non-profit organization dedicated to community building through the traditional Puerto Rican musical styles of Bomba and Plena. Bomba is a Puerto Rican musical genre that dates back more than 300 years, has heavy African influences and expresses the sentiments of Puerto Ricans. While Plena, another Puerto Rican musical genre that dates back more than 100 years, narrates stories of the Puerto Rican. For more information and tickets to this free event, click HERE.
Contact: Inner Arbor Trust, 410-740-0029, info@innerarbortrust.org
Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services Merriweather Station 14 Opening
Monday, August 19, 11:00 a.m.
6025 Symphony Woods Way, Columbia
Join Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, Department of Fire and Rescues Services Chief Christine Uhlhorn, and members of the department for the ceremony. Station 14 will be the 13th fire station opening in Howard County. It will be known as the Merriweather Station and located in downtown Columbia in the Merriweather district. Located at the bottom of a parking garage, the new fire station will be the smallest in Howard County and will house an engine and an ambulance.
Contact: Department of Fire and Rescue Services Media Line, 410-313-6039
Lakeside Movies @ Centennial Lake – Movie: TBD
Wednesday, August 28, 8:15 p.m. (approximate start time)
Centennial Park South Lawn Area, 10000 MD 108, Ellicott City
As part of its Sunset Serenades Summer Concert series, the Department of Recreation & Parks second lakeside movie night will be chosen by the people. Choices are: Top Gun, E.T., The Wizard of Oz and Marvel’s The Avengers. Residents have until Friday, August 9th to cast their vote online on Recreation & Parks’ Facebook page or Twitter handle. So cast your vote and then grab your blanket or lawn chair, bring your family and friends, and come enjoy a movie outdoors by the lake at Centennial Park! Attendees are encouraged to arrive earlier and carpool if possible as these events typically draw large crowds. Also, don’t forget your flashlight to help you navigate your way to your seats and car. The Adventure Shack Concessions will also be open until the end of the movie, serving movie night food and refreshment specials. For more information, call 410-313-4700. In the case of inclement weather, call 410-313-4451 after 5:00 p.m. on the day of the performance.
Contacts: Karen Bradley Ehler, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4635 kehler@howardcountymd.gov, or Danielle Bassett, Department of Recreation & Parks, 410-313-4634, dbassett@howardcountymd.gov
Fourth Annual International Overdose Awareness Day
August 31, 2019, 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
St. John’s Episcopal Church, 9120 Frederick Road, Ellicott City
Join Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in observance of International Overdose Awareness Day. Hosted Howard County Recovery Oriented Systems of Care) the Howard County Health Department and James’ Place, this recovery celebration and candle light vigil is an opportunity to honor those lost to substance use and educate others about the magnitude of overdoses. Narcan training and an overdose response demonstration followed by a program with candle lighting. For more information and to register for this free event, visit ioad-hoco.eventbrite.com.
Contact: James’ Place, info@jamesplaceinc.org