July 28-August 5
Carroll County 4-H & FFA Fair
Don’t miss the 125th anniversary of the 4-H & FFA Fair in Carroll County. A lot has changed over the years, but the fair has always remained a constant positive force in the lives of residents across the county. The fair offers many opportunities for local youth to showcase their skills and projects. Check out the schedule to see all the offerings-animal showcases, food vendors, entertainment, live music, and some special activities to celebrate the 125th anniversary.
Carroll County Agricultural Center, 700 Agricultural Center Dr., Westminster. Learn more at CarrollCountyFair.com.
August 4-5
“Jubilation” Quilt Show
The Four County Quilters Guild hosts their annual quilt show where visitors can explore more than 200 quilts, demonstrations, a bargain bin, raffle baskets, vendors and a light fare cafe. Admission is $10/day with free admission for children under 3 (unlimited re-entry with intact wrist band). Parking is free.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. Calvary United Methodist Church, 403 S. Main St., Mount Airy. Learn more at FourCountyQuilters.org.
August 5
Old-Fashioned Corn Roast Festival
Visit Union Mills Homestead for an old-fashioned corn roast. Each meal ticket includes a serving of fried chicken, applesauce, sliced tomatoes, a roll and butter, iced tea or lemonade, and all the roasted corn you can eat. (Corn is roasted in the husk and served at your table.) Enjoy live music, a delicious country meal, and shopping local specialty vendors. The historic house and mill will be open to tours for a small fee. (last tour begins at 4 p.m.) Adult tickets $17; Children under 12 $8; Children under 3 Free (no chicken). Free parking and free admission to the grounds.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster. Learn more at UnionMills.org.
August 4-6
Shrek the Musical
“Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek …” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you’ve got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there’s one on hand, and his name is Shrek. Tickets $15-$20.
Coppermine Panther Plex, 1400 Panther Drive, Hampstead. Learn more at GoCoppermine.com.
August 8
Encanto Movie
Enjoy this free outdoor summer family showing of the movie Encanto. Bring your own chairs, blankets and snacks. In the event of inclement weather, the show will be rescheduled for Aug. 15.
8:30 p.m. Rotary Amphitheatre, Carroll Community College, 1601 Washington Rd., Westminster. Learn more at CarrollCountyArtsCouncil.org.
August 12
Makers Markets at the Reindollar Carriage House
Shop local the second Saturday of each month at the Makers Market and find unique, high-quality goods from local makers, artists, and gourmet producers.
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Reindollar Carriage House, 16 W. Baltimore St., Taneytown.
August 12
Bluegrass Under the Stars
The Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue in Mt. Airy promises an evening of fun with live bluegrass music, beer and BBQ. Surrounded by over 160 rescued draft horses, attendees can relax on their blanket or chair and get cozy as the sun sets behind the stage. Strokers BBQ and Brookeville Beer Farm will be serving up food and beer. Event proceeds support the organization’s mission of rescuing draft and draft cross horses from slaughter, abuse, and neglect. Tickets are $20.
6 p.m.-11 p.m. Gentle Giants Draft Horse Rescue, 600 Beetz Road, Mount Airy. Learn more at BlueGrassUnderTheStars.com.
August 12
Movie in the Park: E.T. the Extra Terrestrial
Head to Taneytown for a free Family Movie Night featuring a heartwarming “phone home” sci-fi film, E.T. the Extra Terrestrial. The event is free.
8:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Taneytown Memorial Park 1 Park Drive, Taneytown. Learn more at TaneytownMd.gov.
August 15
Box Lunch Talk: The Tale of Three Schoolhouses
When Patricia Greenwald was the director of Gifted and Talented Education for Howard County Public Schools, a student project piqued her interest in restoring and sharing the stories of historic schoolhouses in Carroll and Howard Counties. She will tell the stories of three schools: Ellicott Quaker School (late 1700s), Pfeiffer’s Corner Schoolhouse (1883), and the Sykesville Colored Schoolhouse (1904). Hosted by the Historical Society of Carroll County. The fee is $3 for HSCC members, $7 for non-members.
Noon-1 p.m. Learn more at HSCCMD.org.
August 17
Wine & Cheese on Main Street
Don’t miss this ticketed Mount Airy Main Street event featuring the best of local, including wines, cheeses and farm-fresh products.
5 p.m.-8 p.m. Downtown Mount Airy. Learn more at MountAiryMainStreet.org.
August 18-20
Renegade Monster Truck Tour
The Renegade Monster Truck Tour features hours of pure adrenaline-fueled excitement for all ages. High-level and affordable family entertainment with tickets as low as $12. Gates open 2.5 hours ahead of scheduled start time.
Carroll County Agricultural Center, 700 Agricultural Center Drive, Westminster. Learn more at RenegadeMonsterTrucks.com.
August 19-20
Seussical JR.
The musical transports audiences from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus, the Cat in the Hat narrates the story of Horton the Elephant, who discovers a speck of dust containing tiny people called the Whos. Horton must protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, and he must also guard an abandoned egg that’s been left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant! Tickets $15.
Coppermine Panther Plex, 1400 Panther Drive, Hampstead. Learn more at GoCoppermine.com.
August 26
Maryland Summerfest 2023
If you love delicious food trucks, beer and wine sampling from some of the most popular breweries and wineries in Maryland, and a variety of genres of live music, the Maryland SummerFest is for you. The event is for all ages, with 20+ food trucks, beer and wine sampling, two stages, nine live bands, local restaurants, DJ’s, 50+ artisans/retail/local business vendors, military and first responder vehicles, free parking onsite, tented dining area, children’s activities, and more. Ticket prices up to $70.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster. Information: SummerFestMD.com.
September 6
Pooch Pool Party
Does Fido like to swim? Take him for a dip at the annual pool party, a free event that benefits the Carroll County Humane Society. All dogs must have current rabies tag and collar or harness, no humans are allowed in the pool with the dogs, and dogs demonstrating aggressive behavior will not be allowed to participate.
4 p.m.–7 p.m. Westminster Municipal Pool, 325 Royer Rd., Westminster. Information: WestminsterMd.gov.
September 10
Bluegrass, Bourbon & Bocce
The Historical Society of Carroll County presents an afternoon of good ol’ fashioned fun. Tickets include the concert plus gourmet burgers and hand-cut fries by Pat Martin, dessert, non-alcoholic beverages, and bourbon tastings by local distilleries. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. This year’s event features Seth Mulder & Midnight Run. Tickets (purchased in advance) are $40 for HSCC members and $50 for non-HSCC members.
4 p.m.-7 p.m. Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster. Learn more at HSCCMD.org.
September 13
Seniors on the Go Expo
This expo is a wonderful, fun way for older adults, people with disabilities, veterans, and their caregivers to discover what is available in their communities. Everyone will find something interesting to do as activities include various screenings and assessments for healthy living, community programs and fitness demonstrations, three informational seminars, and an assortment of businesses and agencies.
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Carroll County Ag Center, Shipley Arena, 706 Agricultural Center Drive, Westminster. Learn more at Facebook.com/SeniorsOnTheGoExpo2023.
September 16
Maryland Wine Festival
The Maryland Wine Festival returns to Westminster for its 39th annual celebration of wine. Guests are invited to enjoy delicious, local wine, shopping from juried artisans and dancing to live music. This year’s event takes place on Saturday only. Tickets $20-$65.
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 S. Center St., Westminster. Learn more at MarylandWine.org.
September 21-24
Westminster Fallfest
Fallfest is a four-day community event with fun for everyone. The Westminster Fallfest Parade marches down Main Street on Thursday at 7 p.m., marking the official start of this annual festival. The festival features rides, games, food, entertainment, and on Saturday and Sunday only, an art & craft vendor show. Hundreds of volunteers from local organizations and area schools help staff this event. Free to enter, vendor fees for games and rides vary.
Westminster City Park Playgrounds and Fields, Westminster. Information: WestminsterFallfest.com.
September 23
Mount Airy Oktoberfest 2023
The annual Oktoberfest in Mount Airy promises fun with beer, food, music, kids entertainment and more. German-style beer brewed locally by Liquidity Aleworks, food from local farms and businesses.
Noon-6 p.m. Downtown Mount Airy. Learn more at MountAiryMainStreet.org.
September 23
Taneytown Fall Community Flea Market
Come one, come all, to the fall Community Flea Market at Taneytown Memorial Park. Vendors with all kinds of treasure await! Food trucks will be on site for breakfast and lunch.
9 a.m.-2 p.m. Taneytown Memorial Park, 1 Park Drive, Taneytown. Learn more at TaneytownMd.gov.
September 30
Taneytown 12th Annual Harvest Festival
Festival activities include pony rides, petting zoo, games, bounce houses, straw maze, hay rides, and live music by the Twisted Bluez Band. Food and craft vendors will be on onsite. Admission is free.
11 a.m.-3 p.m. Taneytown Memorial Park, 1 Park Drive, Taneytown. Learn more at TaneytownMd.gov.
September 30
Maryland Microbrewery Festival
The Maryland Microbrewery Festival is a fun-packed celebration promoting the best of Maryland’s distinctive handcrafted microbrews. Numerous Maryland brewers will be attending — all true microbreweries or regional craft breweries with a number of different brews to sample. The Midnight Homebrewers’ League will also conduct a homebrew competition. Enjoy an afternoon of great beer, live music, delicious food, and shopping from local specialty vendors.
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Union Mills Homestead, 3311 Littlestown Pike, Westminster.
