AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Fishpaws Marketplace
The early fall of leaves just after Labor Day suggests that summer is on the wane. But if you are reluctant to give up eating fresh from the field fruits and vegetables, you’ll be happy to see the list below of local farms, markets and stands where they’re still available:
Severna Park Farmer’s Market, at Ritchie Highway and Jones Station Road, will continue to be open Saturday mornings from 8 am till noon through October 29th.
Diehl’s Produce, on B&A Boulevard at McKinsey Road in Olde Severna Park will be open through October 31.
Diehl’s Produce of Annapolis, at 921 Chesapeake Avenue, will also be open through October 31.
Pumphrey’s Produce at 8220 Veteran’s Highway in Millersville, is open through Thanksgiving.
Wildberry Farm’s Saturday Field Markets, at 1047 St. Stephen’s Church Road in Crownsville will be open through November.
Chase’s Produce, on Rt. 424 in Davidsonville, will be open only on weekends through September.
Marco Ridge Farm Produce stand officially closed on Labor Day but will have their garden cart of vegetables available daily on a serve yourself basis through the growing season.
Most stands will have autumn offerings like apples, cider, pumpkins, gourds and winter squash.
It’s orchard time. If you’re in the mood for a trip, you can visit one of 17 well-known Maryland orchards from the Eastern Shore to the mountains of the Blue Ridge and Western Maryland.
We’ve frequented several but it’s particularly fun to visit Pryor’s Orchard in breathtakingly scenic Catoctin Mountain Park near Thurmont, Maryland. The three-generation family farm’s vast fields and orchards overflow with produce through the first frosts. For an after- shopping treat, several vineyards are nearby.
Close to home, we’re edging toward the promise that Fall offers with three events kicking off this weekend. Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi’s Anniversary Open House is being held from 12:30 to 3 pm on Saturday, September 10 followed by the Broadway Bonanza concert to benefit SPAN, Inc. at Boone Station Hall that evening beginning at 7 pm. On Sunday, September 11, Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church’s annual Kick-Off Sunday Picnic will be held on the church lawn from 12 noon till 2 pm.
Anne Arundel County Fair an annual delight
The 70th Anniversary Anne Arundel County Fair will open its gates on Wednesday, September 14 and run through the 18th with its traditional carnival midway, rides and foods. A full slate of activities includes daily livestock shows, a livestock auction for animals raised by 4H and FFA members, indoor exhibits, quilting, wool spinning and other demonstrations, antique tractor pulls, draft-horse pulling contests, jousting, Friday and Saturday night concerts, and much more.
As the Fair celebrates its 70th anniversary with parties featuring bands Oracle and The NoWhere Men, there’s quite a history to look back on. The idea for the event was conceived and initiated by a woman known only as Mrs. Lee of Annapolis. Mrs. Lee grew up in Frederick, Maryland where there was a huge annual fair and felt Anne Arundel County should have one. With approval by the Maryland State Fair Board and help from local families, the first fair was held in the fall of 1952 at the Labrot Racetrack near Sandy Point.
There were cattle, poultry, farm produce, home goods, food and clothes, pigs, sheep, a horse pulling contest, rides, games, a queen contest and educational exhibits. Over 20,000 people attended from all over the county.
Needing more space, the fair moved to Sandy Point State Park in 1953 where it remained for 25 years. As revenues increased and the Fair changed from a stockholders’ corporation to a non-profit membership organization, a permanent fair site was sought. The Anne Arundel County Fair officially moved to Crownsville in 1984.
Fair hours are Wednesday: 5 pm – 10 pm, Thursday: 5 pm – 10 pm, Friday: 5 pm – 11 pm, Saturday: 9 am -11 pm, Sunday: 9 am – 8 pm.
Admission to the fair is $10 for individuals aged 10 and over and free for children 9 and under. Admission includes entrance to the fair but does not include carnival rides or games. For information or tickets, visit Anne Arundel County Fair | A Tradition Passed Down Thru the Generations (aacountyfair.org)
Kinder Farm Park Fall Fun Day
Get ready for a fun time during Kinder Farm Park’s Fall Fun Day on Saturday, October 8th from 10 am to 3 pm. Though scaled down compared to previous Kinder Farm Park Harvest Fests, the event still has much to offer including hayrides around the farm.
There will also be scarecrow stuffing, one of the park’s most popular activities ever that is loved equally by children and adults. The finished scarecrows make great imaginary playmates for kids and fabulous Halloween porch decorations for the adults.
Activities for younger children will include games and crafts and a pumpkin patch from which they can select a pumpkin.
Tickets for activities will be sold throughout the locations and beverage vendors will be on hand. For more information, visit Friends of Kinder Farm Park.
Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails Fall Concert Series underway
The Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails Fall Concert Series got off to quick start at Hatton-Regester Green on September 4th with a concert featuring bagpiper/guitarist Jeff Herbert. The second of the four-concert series takes place this Sunday, September 11th and features 2021 Wammy Award finalists, King Street Bluegrass.
The Fall Concert Series has begun at Hatton-Regester Green 
The trio Guava Jelly will return for the fourth and final concert of the Fall series .
The third concert of the series taking place Sunday, September 18th will have a Motown vibe from the Crownsville-based band Supreme Temptation. For the final concert of the series on September 25th, the Friends of Anne Arundel County Trails welcome back the group Guava Jelly following the immensely successful Spring Concert Series appearance.
All concerts are free and open to the public and begin at 6 pm. For more information, visit Anne Arundel County Trails | The Friends of AACo Trails (friendsofaatrails.org).
Historic Baldwin Hall in full swing with Fall events
Following two difficult years, Historic Baldwin Hall is back in full swing with several fall events scheduled according to board member Janice Crowe. The Friends of Historic Baldwin Hall are hosting the first – a Crab Feast Fundraiser at the hall on Sunday, September 25th from 2 pm to 5 pm. A wonderful afternoon of delicious food and fellowship is planned. For information or tickets email janice.a.crowe@gmail.com.
Following the success of last year’s event, Baldwin Hall’s 2nd Annual Craft Show & Flea Market Fundraiser will be held Sunday, October 2 from 11 am to 3 pm.
Lunch will be available from the food truck, Hotdog Hideout. The friends of Baldwin Hall invite the public to come out and enjoy a fun day. Please save the date and let them know if you would like to rent a space at the event by contacting janice.a.crowe@gmail.com.
In addition to Severn Crossroads Foundation meetings, Crowe reminded us that Balwin Hall is the rehearsal venue for the Chesapeake Harmony Chorus. The latest news from chorus director Sally Burton is that the singers are learning new songs and preparing for a show to be held at the Hall on Sunday, November 13, 2022. The theme will be “It’s the Music…” .
You can follow the activities of the chorus at Chesapeake Harmony Chorus.
Around The Park Again is brought to you this week by Fishpaws Marketplace, 954 Ritchie Hwy. – a family-owned business that carries fine wines, spirits and beers plus gourmet foods and specialty items perfect for entertaining.
