Free Backpacks, Free Tickets, Summer Colds: 5 Things in Glen Burnie

The weekend is almost here! What are your plans?

Check out our calendar for more options, but here are five things that'll help you wind down the week and crank up the weekend:

1. WEATHER & TIDES »  After a reprieve in the low 70s Thursday, Weather.com is calling for highs in the lower 80s Friday. Evening lows will be in the 60s. Read more here. Friday’s tides at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis: high tides at 8:31 a.m. and 9:16 p.m.; low tides at 2:26 a.m. and 3:05 p.m. Find tides around the Bay by searching here.

2. AROUND TOWN » Celebrate summer on Saturday, while benefiting from a give-away to prepare for the school year. Check out Power in the Park: Free Cookout and Backpack Distribution, which starts at 11 a.m. Saturday.

3. YOU SAID IT » What is worse: a cold in the winter or summer? Leave a comment to let us know and read the blog Summertime Sniffles to find out how to prevent and treat a cold when it's warm outside.

4. ICYMI » You have just a little time left to win free tickets to an event this weekend in Edgewater. Check out and comment on this article for a chance to win: Contest: Caption This Photo, Win Bayside Festival Tickets

5. PATCH HOW-TO » Did you know you can sign up for email alerts from more than just our Breaking News category? If you enjoy our Police & Fire reporting, sign up for our alerts from that category. A fan of the local sports or entertainment scene? Sign up! Of course, you can still sign up for breaking news alerts and our daily email newsletter. Need a hand? Email susan@patch.com