on location: northeast O kari kamin

ucked along the East Coast, WINTER they own a pet or enjoy offering a offers group travelers a The North American Craft Show, good head scratch, animals lovers of all Tboatload of cultural opportunities a longstanding staple in Ocean City, kinds gather to watch performances, and lessons in national history. And marks its 25th year on Jan. 14-15, attend seminars, or browse merchan- what better way to experience the state’s 2012. Admission gets you into its sister dise for their favorite pet or pet owner. heritage and personality than including show, the Nautical & Wildlife Art Well-trained pets are welcome (if kept one of its countless events and festivals Festival, conveniently located in the on a leash), but not required. (410- in your next mid-Atlantic itinerary. same building. The art and craft medi- 374-5964, worldofpets.org) Many of these local events have been ums are extensive and attract artists The Maryland Home and Garden in existence for decades, attesting to their from many different states and nearly Show comes to the Maryland State worth as trip enhancers. Whether you’ve 6,000 people. (410-524-9177) Fairgrounds on March 3-4 and 10-11. got Maryland on your radar for winter The 11th annual World of Pets Look for home improvement ideas in or warmer months, the state has count- Expo will be taking place Jan. 27-29 at the show’s 400-some exhibits and learn less fairs and festivals that will keep your the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Ti- about the latest products. (410-863- groups entertained. monium, near . Whether 1180, mdhomeandgarden.com/spring)

Jousting, the state sport of Maryland, takes at the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Annapolis. Maryland Celebrates Year-Round Crafts, music, seafood and history flavor group-friendly annual events in Baltimore, Annapolis and beyond

42 December 2011 Scott Key’s writing of the Star-Spangled Banner while Baltimore’s harbor was under attack. Explore tall ships and a vast, international fleet of war ships from over 25 countries and mingle with the sailors. This group-friendly, once-in-a- lifetime event will feature an air show by the Blue Angels, musical performances and other landside festivities, plus fire- works on Flag Day (June 14). Water taxis will be available so your group can travel from one area of the harbor to the other. One- to three-hour boat cruises will coincide with special events like the ships’ arrival and departure, Blue Angels Das Best Oktoberfest in National Harbor brings out the German in everyone. show and fireworks. Ships will be staged in Baltimore’s famed Inner Harbor, Fell’s SPRING American style of music as performed Point, Canton and Locust Point. (410- The Maryland Film Festival will by nationally known blues artists. (301- 767-6974, starspangled200.org) be held in Baltimore during the week- 739-8577, blues-fest.org) The Dundalk Heritage Fair boasts end of May 3-6. This noncompetitive the largest parade in Maryland. The fes- film festival screens international films SUMMER tival will take place June 29-July 1, with in various locations, encouraging film- Kick off your summer with the Star- a special fireworks celebration on July 4. goers to view movies as both art and Spangled Spectacular 2012 from June While this year’s festivities are still entertainment. Filmmakers often attend, 13-19 in Baltimore. The weeklong event, pending, last year’s events included live so bring your autograph books. (410- sponsored by the U.S. Navy and Opera- music, pig races and a magician. (410- 752-8083, md-filmfest.com) tion Sail, observes the 200th anniver- 284-4022, dundalkheritagefair.com) Your groups can view some of the sary of the U.S. declaration of war Seafood fans head to Havre de Grace most elegant and impressive yachts against Great Britain. The event’s Seafood Festival from Aug. 10-12 in when United States Yacht Shows pres- theme—“Our Flag Was Still There”— Havre de Grace, a city located on Chesa- ents the Bay Bridge Boat Show April commemorates the struggles and tri- peake Bay. Besides crab cakes, shrimp, 19-22 in Annapolis. The event will fea- umph of the War of 1812 and Francis scallops and other fruits of the sea, the ture seminars and demonstrations as well as a “guess the fish’s weight” com- petition. (410-268-8828, usboat.com) Ever wondered how to use a me- dieval crossbow? Find out safely at Step- pingstone Museum’s Medieval Days Encampment on May 12-13 in Havre de Grace. There will be arts and crafts, period dance and music, and equestrian games. (410-939-2299, steppingstone- museum.org) The 17th annual Western Mary- land Blues Fest takes place May 31- June 4 in downtown Hagerstown and City Park. Be a part of the festivities as Hagerstown celebrates this distinctly , set for July 20-22, is one of Baltimore’s biggest summer events.

LeisureGroupTravel.com December 2011 43 on location: northeast O An experience worth sharing. festival offers live entertainment and arts One of the state’s most popular and crafts. (hdgseafoodfestival.org) events, the Maryland State Fair in Ti- Billing itself as the largest free arts monium, comes around in late August festival in America, the 31st annual and early September, offering livestock, Artscape will take place in Baltimore on crafts, farm and garden exhibits and July 20-22. Whether you prefer paint- midway rides, not to mention Thor- ings or sculpture, performance art or oughbred horse racing and jousting, the street art, theater or opera, there will be official state sport of Maryland. (410- something for everyone at Artscape with 252-0200, marylandstatefair.com) nearly 175 exhibitors on 12 city blocks. The 65th National Hard Crab (877-225-8466, artscape.org) Derby in Crisfield takes place next Ocean City, Maryland Group Tours. The 45th Maryland Seafood Festi- Labor Day weekend. Festivities kick off Plan a group trip everyone will love. Explore nature val at Sandy Point State Park, on the on Thursday night with a carnival, but or enjoy a historic Heritage Tour. Indulge in our unique shops and outlets. Offering entertainment northwestern shore of Chesapeake Bay be sure and get plenty of rest for the and dining choices as vast as our 10 miles of award-winning beaches, you can’t help but have near Annapolis, takes place at the end of early morning crab cooking contest. a great time. the summer and offers an extensive Other events include a street parade, live menu as well as chef demonstrations, a music, a crab picking contest, and of crab soup cook-off and crab cake eating contest. Not a fan of crab, shrimp, oys- Obtain Maryland ococean.com ters, clams or rockfish? There are other visitor guides and itineraries – For planning materials and assistance, contact the Group Tour & Travel Coordinator food options available. Live music and and contact group- at 800-626-2326 or www.ococean.com. friendly suppliers arts and crafts also are featured. (443- directly – at 926-1464, mdseafoodfestival.com) leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info

44 December 2011 LeisureGroupTravel.com pah bands and classic German food like Enjoy apple fritters, apple cider, apple potato pancakes, schnitzel and sausages. cake and candy apples at the annual Maryland Brewer’s Oktoberfest, the Darlington Apple Festival, always on largest beer fest in Baltimore, offers sim- the first Saturday in October in the ilar festivities Oct. 13 at the Maryland quaint village of Darlington in North- State Fairgrounds in Timonium, with east Maryland. This harvest fest also in- Best Beer Belly and Carry Your Wife cludes stage entertainment and contests thrown in for good measure. (das- hundreds of crafters. (410-457-4189, bestoktoberfest.com, mdoktoberfest.com) darlingtonapplefest.org) LGT

The Maryland Film Festival in May draws movie buffs to Baltimore. course, the crab derby itself. The up- stairs of Tawes Museum will shine a spotlight on photographs of crab races from past derbies. Close out the week- end with a fireworks show. (410-968- 2500, crisfieldchamber.com/crab-derby)

FALL Step back in time at the Maryland Renaissance Festival in Annapolis. Next year’s edition begins Aug. 24 and runs for nine weeks every weekend, end- ing in October. There will be plenty to do and see with stage and street acts, vendors, jousts and musicians to swell your Renaissance spirit. Willing festival- goers are encouraged to partake in the fun and wear family-friendly costumes. (800-296.7304, rennfest.com) There’s no better place to celebrate Oktoberfest than Maryland. At Das Best Oktoberfest (Sept. 22-23 in Na- tional Harbor) you’ll feel like you’re in Germany with over 80 different beers, 15 of which come straight from breweries in Maryland. The festival will feature oom-

ONLINE EXCLUSIVE See the article on Fort McHenry National Monument in Baltimore. Log on to http://leisuregrouptravel.com /?p=25806.

LeisureGroupTravel.com December 2011 45