Celebrate Maryland 375 Events - June 2009

(Press release, St. Mary's Division of Tourism)

St. Mary’s County’s sites and attractions produce a full line-up of events that “Celebrate 375 MD” including a Birthday Celebration Weekend.

Over forty of the county’s 2009 annual events include special “Celebrate 375” components from Sotterely’s Garden Fair in April to the National Oyster Festival in October. The five-event Birthday Weekend takes place in June.

Maryland’s 375th Birthday Celebration Weekend Friday, June 19 – Sunday, June 21, 2009 features five events.

River Concert World Premier. Friday, June 19, 7 p.m., St. Mary's College of Maryland, St. Mary's City, off Route 5.

The River Concert Series Season Opener featuring the Chesapeake Orchestra, Jeffrey Silberschlag music director, Celebrates the 375th with the world premier of a symphonic work “In Terra Maryland” by Maryland composer Nathan Lincoln-DeCusatis with spoken texts culled from early writings on Maryland’s founding prepared by Jennifer Cognard-Black, Associate Professor of English, St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Maestro Silberschlag says: “This work attempts to tell about the arrival of the English colonists and their thrill of seeing Maryland for the first time.”
The concert also includes Handel’s “Trumpet Spectacular” and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9- "The New World." Free.
240-895-4107 www.riverconcertseries.com

Maryland’s Birthday Celebration. Saturday, June 20, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Historic St. Mary's City, St. Mary's City, off Route 5.

All day and evening celebration at the site of Maryland’s first colony and capital features tall ships along the St. Mary’s waterfront including tall ship Kalmar Nickel Delaware’s seagoing goodwill ambassador. The 200-tunnepinnace is modeled after the ship that sailed from Sweden to the New World in 1638. There will also be 17th-century style food, make-and-take crafts, sutlers (vendors), music, whimsey, and other entertainment. The day will close with a special River Concert, to include a reprise of “In Terra Maryland” and fireworks. Free. 800-762-1634, www.stmaryscity.org.

Juneteenth Celebration. Saturday, June 20, Noon, Freedom Park in Lexington Park, Route 235 and Tulagi Place.

Entertainment for all ages celebrating cultural diversity and freedom. Early evening jazz concert. Free. HC. 301-862-4868, www.ucaconline.org

Pinks All Out. Saturday, June 20, Maryland International Raceway, Budds Creek, Maryland.

Speed TV will be filming an episode of PINKS All Out. Hundreds of the best drag racers in the country will bring their game to MIR in search of glory and their share of $18,000 in cold, hard cash in PINKS All Out. Host Rich Christensen hosts the all day shootout that pits egos and cars against one another on the quarter mile. Ticketed event 301-884-9833, www.mirdrag.com

Celebrate Family, Fun and Fitness! Sunday, June 21, College of Southern Maryland, Leonardtown Campus, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. 22950 Hollywood Road, Leonardtown, Maryland.

CSM celebrates 375 years with Wellness, Fitness & Recreation. Come dressed to play on Father's Day as you enjoy fitness demos, wellness tips, health screenings, fun
races and a 3.75-mile walk to include historic Leonardtown. Free. 301-934-7703 or 240-725-5312.

Visit Celebrate 375 MD Program and Website Sponsors including Southern MD hotels Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, and Marriott Fairfield Inn, by Cherry Cove Hospitality.