Maryland Day Celebrations Planned Throughout Anne Arundel County

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Marylanders have a tremendous amount of state pride. We guzzle down Old Bay and put the state flag on everything. We also have a holiday celebrating the state's history, culture and natural beauty.

Maryland Day is every March 25, marking the anniversary of when the Ark and Dove ships landed at St. Clement's Island in 1634. These first colonists, led by Leonard Calvert, bought land from the native Yaocomaco tribe and built the Fort at St. Mary's City.

Over 45 Maryland Day celebrations are planned this Friday through Sunday in Anne Arundel County. The events are all free or $1.

The festivities feature farmers markets, wineries, farm-to-table restaurants, boutique shops and historical inns.

This year's theme, “Unity through Community,” will showcase the many diverse landscapes and stories that make up our shared past and future.

“After a winter of hibernation, these events create fun opportunities to explore the many communities that make up Anne Arundel County,” Erik Evans, marketing director for Maryland Day Weekend, said in a press release. “With so many types of events, there is something for everyone to enjoy this spring weekend.”

The full schedule is available at marylandday.org.

Highlights include:

• Northern Anne Arundel County:
• The Chesapeake Arts Center will feature several art exhibits and hands-on craft-making for children.
• The Benson Hammond House hosts NASA engineer and physicist Sabrina Thompson, founder of the Girl in Space Club, who will present a special event about her new line of space suits for women.
• Hancock’s Resolution Farm is open for tours that include a discussion about former resident Stephen Hancock and the Revolutionary War along with kid-friendly activities.
• Western Anne Arundel County:
• The Odenton Heritage Society and Linthicum Walks offer free tours and special exhibits.
• Historic Baldwin Hall will gather historical stories from locals and host a scouting event.
• Annapolis Area:
• ArtFest returns to Maryland Hall offering art exhibits, performances, and a free concert.
• Additional concerts will take place at Wiley Bates Legacy Center and St. John’s College.
• The Maryland Federation of Art will host an artist demonstration and local artist sale.
• The Pride of Baltimore tall ship will be docked at City Dock for tours.
• Numerous museums and historic sites in Annapolis will host special events highlighting the area’s rich heritage.
• Southern Anne Arundel County:
• Experience a school from the early 1700s at the Free School in Davidsonville.
• The Archaeology Lab will be open at Historic London Town with living history interpreters in colonial clothing, showcasing exhibits full of artifacts.
• The Captain Avery Museum will host family-friendly activities and a reading by local author Janie Suss from her book Oscar and Olive Osprey: A Family Takes Flight and a showing of the film "The Biggest Little Fish You've Never Seen”.
• The Historic Village at Harrington Harbor North will offer guided tours.
• Art Lab of South County will feature special exhibits.
• Outdoor Adventures:
• Enjoy several walking tours in downtown Annapolis, a guided hike at Bacon Ridge, or an archaeological dig at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center.
• Visit the Crownsville Hospital Patient Cemetery, for a “Say My Name” Ceremony.