Artscape Festival: Nations Largest Free Art Festival

Photo Credit: Kamau Collins

Attracting over 350,000 people over 3 days, ignoring Artscape as an activity for Maryland is impossible. Artscape is July 19-21 this summer. Held in the heart of Baltimore City on Mt. Royal Avenue, the Artscape Festival is crazy and awesome experience. It features hundreds of individual art vendors who come from all over the country to present and sell their works. You can find anything out there. I've been to Artscape for the past 4 years and each time is different and better than the last. The festival completely shuts down a huge section of streets in the city.

The art work on the streets are absolutely fantastic. The vendors compete and pay for spots all year because having the opportunity for hundreds of thousands of people to walk around and see and buy your products doesn't exactly present itself that often. Even if you don't consider yourself an artsy person (I don't) you can still find something that sparks your interest. The pieces vary drastically from sculptures, to pottery, to clothes, to paintings, to purses, to jewelry to who knows what. There are hands on activities you can participate in to make your own art works.

Another great part of the festival are the performances. Periodically throughout the streets you can catch a street performer, showcasing their interesting or usually strange talent. There are also 3 or 4 different musical stages with a wide variety of musical acts. Usually their is a pretty big name performer to headline the even with a bunch of other groups playing during the day. Another attraction this past year was added as the festival coordinators stepped it up with a Ferris wheel.

Photo Credit: Kamau Collins

Artscape also features delicious food from diverse international vendors and catering companies. The food is honestly some of the best I've ever had. Just like the art showcases, vendors come from all over to show off their special foods and make some money. One of the best parts of it all is that alcohol is served and you can walk around and casually drink all day.

Overall Artscape in Baltimore City is a great time and an experience anyone should be able to enjoy, so this summer bring the whole family or your friends out and have a good time! Below is a video showing some highlights from one of the days last summer! For more information about the event feel free to check out the Artscape Website as it will be updated regularly until the event.

Maryland State Fair

One of the best ways to wrap up the summer is at the Maryland State Fair. The fair is always held right before school starts and it was a nice to close out the summer activities with a little more than a week of events. This summer the fair is from August 23rd to September 2nd. The Maryland State Fair is located at the Timonium Fairgrounds in Lutherville. It is a fun, relaxing, and entertaining vacation destination within the state.

There are a wide range of activities to keep guests entertained throughout the course of the Fair. From looking at the Fair's website, it appears that the country group The Band Perry will be performing at some point during the week, probably towards the end. The actual dates of the events are still tentative because we still are so far away from the actual event.

This video is a few years outdated but still shows the overall scene!

One of the big staples of the Maryland State Fair is the draw on the "country" side of the state. Many of the events revolve around livestock showing or bull riding or pig racing, etc. Some of the cooler more popular things to watch are the different kind of races whether it be pigs or also horses, and also the "Masters of the Chainsaw" competition.

Fun for everyone not interested in the livestock can come from the delicious food and rides in the carnival like atmosphere.

Deep Creek Lake

Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County is a bit of change of scenery for most Maryland folk, but it is a beautiful change of scenery at that. Tucked in to the Western corner of the state, Deep Creek Lake is the biggest inland body of water in the state at 3,900 acres. 

What makes Deep Creek so special is the year round entertainment. Clear water lakes, rivers, and snow capped mountains provide enjoyment throughout the entire year. In the area there are tons of houses available for rent and there's also a four season resort called Wisp. 

You can do all the things you'd imagine you could do at a huge state park with a giant lake. Fishing, boating, hiking, hunting, biking, skiing(during the right season), waterskiing, tubing and there is even a golf course.

I prefer to visit during the summer because I more enjoy the warm weather, swimming, and water sports atmosphere. It truly is a majestic place during the warmer months and is a great getaway in the state. So this summer look into a trip to Deep Creek and stay for a few days or longer and explore your inner outdoorsmen. 

Six Flags America: Only Theme Park in the Old Line State

With the weather heating up you'll be looking for places to get away and have a blast with friends and family and Six Flags America is that place for Marylanders. The only theme park in the state is located in Prince Georges County, in Bowie. Now don't let that scare you. The park is closer to D.C. but is also not far from Baltimore and is an easy travel for anyone. There are a few available travel options to get to the park so that shouldn't be any issue.

Going on a nice, hot day is definitely your best bet, that way you can experience the water park as well as the regular rides. The park offers some awesome roller coasters, the best in the state. Six Flags is the best and closest option for Marylanders in search of a thrill.

The newer themed rides are the best bet and guaranteed to be the most fun, so like any theme park that's where you'll find the longest lines. The Batman and Superman are the most fun ones that I went on while I was there. It wasn't nice enough for the water park when I had went but it looked pretty sweet. Everyone I know who has been there loved it.

Joker Roller Coaster, Photo Credit: Phaesia2011  

Six Flags America is the most convenient location for Maryland folk like myself. It's a good outing and a nice experience on a nice day. The price is very affordable and you can even buy season passes that could be worth it if you like it enough the first time you go.

M&T Bank Stadium

College Football Game at the Stadium

     M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore is most commonly known as the home of the recently crowned Superbowl Champions, The Baltimore Ravens. The stadium is a majestic place. It is beautifully structured and the turf is new and is great looking. The sea of purple seats make me feel at home whenever I'm there because I am an avid Ravens fan.

     I had the pleasure of visiting the stadium a few times over this past NFL season, including Ray Lewis' last home game in the playoffs vs. The Colts. As a fan, there is nothing more awesome than attending a home game. The atmosphere is unreal.

     Along with Raven's games the Baltimore stadium holds home to a few other events. Around the state it is the hallowed grounds for high school football state championships. I never made it to play there but I did get to watch my high school play for it when I was a freshman. As a high school football player that's the ultimate goal, to play down at M&T Bank. To see my older friends playing out there was an unreal experience that I'll never forget and I can't imagine how they felt being out there.

Army vs. Navy Lacrosse Game at M&T Bank

     Besides the state championships the stadium has held the Men's College Lacrosse National Championship multiple times as well. This is a great location for the event as Maryland is a hotbed for the sport and the fans come out in huge numbers over Memorial Day weekend. They also host a few other lacrosse events which vary every year and season. On a warm day as a lacrosse fan it's a great scene to catch some good games.

Jay-Z and Justin performance! Photo Credit: Linda Marie

     Over the past few summers the stadium has hosted a few international soccer matches and this year is no different. In late July there are two days of soccer games at M&T Bank Stadium. Also this summer there is even a Monster Truck Rally in July.

     In August the stadium brings the Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake concert to town. This by music standards is a huge concert which will likely be sold out.

     M&T Bank Stadium is a great Maryland Treasure that should be experienced by all. Even if you don't like the Ravens maybe your team is playing them and you want to check them out, do it! Maybe you're a fan of soccer, or lacrosse, or high school football, or Monster Trucks, or Jay-Z whatever it is, M&T Bank is a great venue and a guarantee to be a great experience. 

Maryland Blue Crabs: The State Food

Photo Credit: Tony Weeg

     With summer quickly approaching and warm weather right on the horizon, in Maryland, that means one thing, CRABS. The Maryland Blue Crab is a delicacy and revered as a God like substance in the state. On a weekend in the summer you can surely smell the aroma of steamed crabs and old bay rising from the backyard picnics of about half of every house in any given neighborhood.

     To an outsider, the Crab eating process is tedious, complicated and God forbid you have any small cuts on your fingers because the Old Bay burn would wish you were an amputee. But to a local, the way you break the shell and what meat you eat is unique to the individual. Also to a local, it is something to look forward to for weeks and even months. The winter is death anticipating the arrival of crab season. It is the best season.

     Unfortunately the price for a bushel or two isn't as cheap as a college kid would hope for. That's why buying a bushel is a great bonding experience and an excellent opportunity to gather family and friends for no reason at all except to eat delicious food.

     If you're born and raised in the state you probably even have a friend or two who own a boat and go crabbing for their own keeps. Not only is dragging the line and pulling up the cages a fun time that gives you the satisfaction of catching your own food, but it also saves you the money of having to buy any crabs. Catching them is obviously the hard part, once you have them you just throw them in a large metal pot over a flame in boiling water and a mixture of other unique ingredients. Each crabber has their own blend of whatever makes the crabs they catch delicious.

Photo Credit: Mary Hollinger

    If you can't get out to the Chesapeake area to catch your own bushel, finding a place that sells them is as easy driving around or using the phone book (people still use those right?) or the Internet. Wherever you are I'm sure there's a place close enough to you that has them for a reasonable price.

     With crabs coming back into the food chain in the summer I can't wait to get back to Maryland to chow down on the finest thing the Chesapeake bay has to offer. If you stop in Maryland in the summer be sure to try it for the first time. There's no shame in not knowing how to pick a crab or use a wooden hammer although you might get a few strange looks from the locals. Enjoy the state food!

Baltimore Orioles: Fun For the Whole Family

Camden Yards
Photo Credit: Kevin Farner

     As baseball season quickly approaches, an option of something to do in Maryland presents itself. Orioles baseball games at Camden Yards in Baltimore City on Charles Street are a Maryland tradition that anyone can enjoy.
  
    Even I, who am not even really a baseball fan, can I hop on the metro and have a great time in the city on game day. The good thing about baseball games, is that there are a ton of them throughout the spring and summer! There are plenty of opportunities to enjoy yourself.
   
   The Orioles tend to tailor the games towards the fans, offering crazy specials on tickets and plenty of door buster/give aways to keep the faithful entertained. This upcoming season should offer some great entertainment and huge crowds, following the overwhelming success of last season. Student games I think are every Friday and with a student I.D. tickets are only 5 or 10 dollars! On a beautiful Friday, summer evening going out to Camden Yards can be a majestic experience.
    
     The first home game is April 5th and it's looking like there is about 2 or so home games a week for the rest of the summer. One of the great things about the Yard is that there isn't a bad seat in the house. Whether you're in the upper deck, outfield or on the hot corner, you are guaranteed a good time, regardless of the outcome.

     If you're heading to Baltimore it's usually convenient to take the subway or metro which only will run you about 3 dollars no matter where you are coming from. The train station is in the shadow of the stadium which makes it very easy. The atmosphere around the stadium is amazing too. Plenty of bars and restaurants surround the stadium, in walking distance of course.
  
     Also, the Oriole's are actually good now and made the playoffs last season after a long hiatus. Sporting events where the team is winning and has playoff aspirations are always more exciting than a team with a losing tendancy. The Oriole's have young, budding allstars who will make the experience that much more exciting for the viewers.
   
     So if you're in the mood to get out of the house this summer, check out the Orioles schedule and bring the whole family to Baltimore. A cheap but worthwhile time is for sure to be had. Whether you're a die hard O's fan, someone in search of a fun night out, or just wanting to head to the city for a bit, head to Camden Yards and root for the Orioles. Buckle Up!

Check out the 2013 schedule here: Oriole's Schedule