Community Corner

Let Summer Begin! Summer Solstice Marks the Day Friday

This post was reported and written by Patch editorial intern Sonia Su.

The summer solstice is the longest day of the year and it's coming up on Friday, June 21.

The summer solstice is the time of year when the northern hemisphere is tilted towards the sun the most and it is also the official first day of summer.

You may want to take advantage of those extra sunny hours with a trip to the beach, a backyard barbecue or one of these Maryland summer solstice celebrations.

Marking the Summer Solstice: A Celebration of Light
300 Oella Ave. Catonsville, MD 21228
Friday, June 21 at 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Learn about the significance of this annual celestial event in relation to our calendar, as well as learning about Banneker’s 1792 almanac. Stephen Bilanow, navigation specialist and amateur astronomer, will give an illustrated talk on the occurrence of the summer solstice. Afterward, mingle with friends and other museum guests while enjoying cool and refreshing summer drinks: sun tea, lemonade and sangria. Stay after sunset to telescopically view the stars. Please call Willa Banks at 410-887-1081 to make a reservation.

36th Annual Solstice Fundraiser at Maryland Science Center
601 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
Saturday, June 22 at 8 p.m.
Dance the night away and celebrate the education and outreach programs of the Maryland Science Center. Valet parking is included with the purchase of a ticket. This annual fundraiser includes live music, food and cocktails. Purchase tickets online for $125 each.

Keswick Summer Solstice Gathering
355 Keswick Road Hampden Court, Stable Building, Suite 104. Baltimore, MD 21211
Friday, June 21 at 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Celebrate the sunshine at at the Keswick Castle, featuring Baltimore's food trucks, live music with Nellie's Echo and a Kids' Zone with with boxed meals. Costumes and pets welcome. A portion of this Gathering's proceeds benefit Art with a HeART and Give Corps.

Reisterstown Music on Main Street
120 Main Street, Reisterstown, MD 21136
Friday, June 21 at 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Starting from June 21 until August 23, enjoy warm summer evenings on the lawn at Franklin Middle School, with family, friends and live music.

TGIF Movie Night at Basignani Winery
15722 Falls Road, Sparks, MD 21152
Friday, June 21 at 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Bring a chair or blanket, a picnic and grab a bottle of wine to watch "Quartet," starring Maggie Smith and Billy Connolly. Come as early as 6 to grab a spot and enjoy a $12 brick-oven pizza. The movie starts at 8:30 p.m.

Try the Duchess: Albarino Wine
1090 Jordan Sawmill Road, Parkton, MD 21120
Friday, June 21 at noon to 5 p.m.
To celebrate introducing this new wine, Royal Rabbit Vineyards is offering 10 percent off any order that includes one or more bottles of the Duchess or the Duke (blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon) Friday and Saturday.

Great American Backyard Campout at Elk Neck State Park
Cecil County - 4395 Turkey Point Road, North East, MD 21901
Friday, June 21 at 8 p.m.
The celebration starts with a Campfire Cooking Program (Amphitheatre).

Saturday, June 22 at 8 a.m.
Join the park naturalist for Beginner's Yoga (Nature Center) and stretch out your stress with beginner-friendly yoga. Wear exercise appropriate clothing and bring water and a beach towel. Celebrate the 4th Annual Cecil County Wade-In (North East Beach Area) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and explore family-friendly, educational and fun exhibits; see a variety of live animals and other wildlife, participate in aquatic educational activities and more at this water quality festival! Additional programs include Skull Detectives at 4 p.m., and Paper Bag Scrapbook at 6 p.m., both at the Nature Center.

Sunday, June 23 at 9 a.m. 
Meet at the Turkey Point Lighthouse Trail Parking Lot and join the naturalist on a  gentle approximately 2-mile trek up to the famous Turkey Point lighthouse, learning interesting facts about its history along the way.

Programs are free; $15 per campsite. For more information, contact Jeanette Thayer at 410-287-5333 or jthayer@dnr.state.md.us.

Camp Under the Stars: Great American Backyard Campout at Point Lookout State Park
St. Mary's County - 11175 Point Lookout Road, Scotland, MD 20687
Saturday, June 22 at 3 p.m. to Sunday at 1 p.m.
Wildlife walk, campfire dinner with s'mores, guided canoe trip, nature center craft and plenty of time to explore on your own. Pre-register for both a free campsite and the guided canoe trip. Limited space is available.

Limited number of sites available for free. $3 per plate for dinner and $2 per plate for breakfast. $1 per person for crafts. For more information, contact Todd Easton at 301-872-5688 or teaston@dnr.state.md.us.

Trail Safety and Horse Camping: Great American Backyard Campout at Cedarville State Forest
Prince George's County - 10201 Bee Oak Road, Brandywine, MD 20613
Saturday, June 22 at 10 a.m. to noon
TROTSTAR Mounted Search and Rescue will conduct a "safety on the trail demonstration" to show what a small hiking pack should contain and what to do if you get lost in the woods. Participants may bring a fanny pack or small back pack. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water, sunscreen and insect repellant.

$3 per vehicle. For more information, contact Amelia Matos at 301-888-1410 or amatos@dnr.state.md.us.

TELL US: What are your plans to celebrate summer solstice?


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