⭐ MARYLAND 250: HONORING THE MARYLAND LINE AT THE BATTLE OF BROOKLYN
Saturday, August 15 | 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM 📍 Smallwood Retreat at Smallwood State Park, 2750 Sweden Point Rd, Marbury 💵 Free
This is the one to build your Saturday around. Smallwood State Park, the former home of General William Smallwood himself, is commemorating Maryland's 250th anniversary with a tribute to the Maryland Line and the famous "Maryland 400" who stood against British forces at the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776 so Washington's army could retreat and regroup.
Expect living-history demonstrations, interpretive talks, and special presentations on Smallwood's leadership and the legacy of Maryland's Revolutionary heroes, all set against the historic backdrop of his retreat house.
It is free, it is outdoors, and it is the kind of local history you cannot get from a textbook. Bring the kids and make an afternoon of it out in Marbury.
🏘️ COMMUNITY & SEASONAL PICKS
Your county is doing a lot this week, and most of it is worth leaving the house for.
SOUTHERN MARYLAND BLUE CRABS vs. LEXINGTON LEGENDS (5-GAME HOMESTAND)
Wednesday, August 12 to Sunday, August 16 | Wed to Sat 6:35 PM, Sun 1:05 PM 📍 Regency Furniture Stadium, 11765 St. Linus Dr, Waldorf 💵 Tickets around $12 to $18
The Crabs are home all five nights against the Lexington Legends, wrapping with a Sunday afternoon matinee at 1:05. It is the easiest family night out in the county: cheap tickets, the kids' lawn, and the usual weekend promo nights. Check the schedule for each night's theme before you go.
GTG BRUNCH EN BLANC ON THE PATUXENT
Saturday, August 15 | 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM 📍 Hardy Reserve, Pomfret 💵 $115
An upscale all-white attire brunch set right along the Patuxent River, built around good food, music, and fellowship in an outdoor setting. If you have been looking for a reason to get dressed up and spend an afternoon on the water, this is a grown-and-elevated way to do it.
7TH ANNUAL YOUTH SHARK TANK KIDPRENEUR COMPETITION & FUN FESTIVAL
Saturday, August 15 | 1:00 PM 📍 2952 Festival Way, Waldorf 💵 Ticketed, see link
Young entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas Shark Tank style, wrapped inside a festival with vendors, games, and family activities. It is genuinely inspiring to watch these kids present, and a great way to support the county's next generation of go-getters.
FAMILY PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY SESSION
Saturday, August 15 | 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM 📍 Charles County Public Library, see link for branch 💵 Free
Free professional family portraits courtesy of the library and Fully in Focus Visuals. Come dressed for photos and walk away with a keepsake, no studio fee required. Spots like this fill up, so book ahead.
🎶 Live Music & Nightlife
From lounge night on a Monday to live music on the water, there is a soundtrack for every mood this week.
AN EVENING WITH JOE COX
Thursday, August 13 | 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM 📍 The Cove at Cobb Island, 12133 Neale Sound Dr, Cobb Island 💵 See link
Local favorite Joe Cox brings a night of live music out to The Cove at Cobb Island. Waterfront setting, easygoing sound, and a drive that is worth it. A perfect low-key Thursday.
LEO AND VIRGO SEASON
Saturday, August 15 | 8:00 PM 📍 10553 Theodore Green Blvd, White Plains 💵 See link
A birthday-season party for all the Leos and Virgos, with music, dancing, and plenty of energy. Grab your crew and come toast the late-summer zodiac crowd.
PSYCHEDELIC SLEEPOVER: TENT CRAWL SLEEPOVER
Saturday, August 15 | 9:00 PM 📍 Rhavens Haven, Waldorf 💵 See link
A themed overnight social experience for the grown-ups, part party and part campout. Check the link for the full rundown, what to bring, and tickets before you commit.
🎨 ARTS, WELLNESS & CREATIVE EXPERIENCES
Make something, try something, or just breathe for an hour. This week has room for all three.
PRIME PAINT NIGHT
Wednesday, August 12 | 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM 📍 Charles County Public Library, see link for branch 💵 Free
A free guided paint night with all supplies provided. No experience needed, just show up ready to make something. A great low-key midweek reset.
SOUND BATH: PROTECT YOUR ENERGY
Saturday, August 15 | 1:00 PM 📍 Journeys Holistic Therapy Group, 30537 Potomac Way, Charlotte Hall 💵 Ticketed, see link
A restorative sound-bath session built to help you release stress and reset for the week ahead. Wear something comfortable and let the vibrations do the work.
HEALING WHILE FUNCTIONING: THE RESET
Saturday, August 15 | 1:00 PM 📍 SCO Offices (CoWork Lounge), 3261 Old Washington Rd, Waldorf 💵 Ticketed, see link
A wellness gathering focused on healing and self-care while still juggling everyday life. Expect a supportive, community-minded afternoon of reflection.
THE GREEN COTERIE BINGO TOURNAMENT
Sunday, August 16 | 3:00 PM 📍 The Green Coterie, Waldorf 💵 Ticketed, see link
Waldorf's wellness-and-community lounge hosts a lively bingo tournament with prizes and good company. A fun, social way to close out the weekend.
THE RETURN OF BOSS CHICK DANCE WORKOUT: SOUTHERN MARYLAND EDITION
Sunday, August 16 | 4:30 PM 📍 122 Drury Dr, La Plata 💵 Ticketed, see link
A high-energy dance-fitness class that is equal parts workout and party. Come sweat, laugh, and move with a room full of Boss Chicks. All levels welcome.
👨👩👧 KIDS & FAMILY
Keep the little ones busy in the best way, mostly for free, all week long.
SUMMER KIDS SHOWS
Thursday, August 13 | 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM 📍 Concert Lawn at Town Hall, 305 Queen Anne St, La Plata 💵 Free
Free outdoor performances with music, magic, dance, and puppetry made for preschool and elementary kids. Bring blankets and lawn chairs, and stick around after, the splash pad opens at 11 AM for water play.
MOBILE MONDAY: Y2K THROWBACK PARTY AT BENSVILLE PARK
Monday, August 10 | 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM 📍 Bensville Community Park (CCPL Mobile Library) 💵 Free
The Mobile Library rolls up to Bensville Park with a Y2K throwback party, plus crafts, Wi-Fi, library card sign-ups, and take-home materials. A fun, free morning outdoors.
OREO TASTE TESTING
Friday, August 14 | 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM 📍 Charles County Public Library, see link for branch 💵 Free
Sample and rank different Oreo flavors and crown a favorite. Sweet, silly, and exactly the kind of thing the kids will talk about all weekend.
📚 LIBRARY & LEARNING
Your library is doing more than you think this week, and most of it is free.
INTRODUCTION TO ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR TEENS
Tuesday, August 11 | 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM 📍 Charles County Public Library, see link for branch 💵 Free
Teens learn the basics of starting and running a business in this hands-on session with University of Maryland Extension. A great primer for young dreamers with big ideas.
ARE YOU READY TO START A BUSINESS?
Wednesday, August 12 | 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM 📍 Charles County Public Library, see link for branch 💵 Free
A free workshop with the Southern Maryland Small Business Development Center covering the first real steps of launching a business. Ideal if you have an idea and need a plan.
TEEN FILM CLUB
Thursday, August 13 | 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM 📍 Charles County Public Library, see link for branch 💵 Free
A hands-on club for teens who love film, from watching and discussing to creating. A creative outlet that blends storytelling, arts, and a little STEM.
LA PLATA BOOK DISCUSSION: HAMNET BY MAGGIE O'FARRELL
Thursday, August 13 | 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM 📍 La Plata Branch 💵 Free
The La Plata book club takes on Maggie O'Farrell's acclaimed Hamnet, a moving reimagining of Shakespeare's family. Read along and join the conversation, new members are always welcome.
🏛️ Local Government & Civic Meetings
Your county is making decisions this week. Here is where to show up.
ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGING COMMITTEE
Wednesday, August 12 | 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM 📍 Virtual 💵 Free
A virtual session of the Administrative Charging Committee. Public attendance details are posted with the agenda on the county calendar.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING
Wednesday, August 12 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📍 Virtual 💵 Free
The Commission recommends properties for local historic landmark designation and reviews changes to designated landmarks. Held virtually, with attendance info on the agenda.
NUISANCE ABATEMENT HEARING BOARD
Wednesday, August 12 | 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM 📍 See link 💵 Free
The board hears citizen complaints about junk, trash, and overgrown vegetation on private property. If overgrowth or dumping near you has been an issue, this is the room where it gets addressed.
BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS (LIQUOR BOARD)
Thursday, August 13 | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM 📍 Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore St, La Plata 💵 Free
The Liquor Board hears licensing matters for local establishments. Open to the public if you have a stake in a pending application or just want to follow along.
📺 How to Watch
Many county meetings are streamed live or recorded on CCGTV.
Agendas, links, and recordings are posted here:
👉Here
🛍️ SHOP LOCAL & POP-UPS
Support the people who make this place feel like home.
LA PLATA FARMERS MARKET
Wednesday, August 12 and Saturday, August 15 | 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📍 La Plata Town Hall, 305 Queen Anne St, La Plata 💵 Free to attend
Local produce, baked goods, and vendor tables twice this week, Wednesday and Saturday, at the Town Hall lot. Bring a tote and shop fresh from Charles County growers and makers.
WALDORF FARMERS' MARKET
Saturday, August 15 | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📍 Waldorf, see page for current location 💵 Free to attend
The Saturday market brings seasonal produce, local vendors, and community energy to Waldorf. An easy weekend stop to eat local and support neighborhood farmers.
BRYANS ROAD FARMERS MARKET
Sunday, August 16 | 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM 📍 Ace Hardware, 3060 Livingston Rd, Bryans Road 💵 Free to attend
The west-side market returns Sunday morning outside Ace Hardware, connecting local farmers and small businesses directly with neighbors looking for fresh, local food. A relaxed farm-to-table way to start your Sunday.
🧠 Quick Reminders
⚾ Blue Crabs are home all week, Wednesday through Sunday, at Regency Furniture Stadium.
🇺🇸 Maryland 250 living-history tribute at Smallwood State Park, Saturday 1 PM, free.
🥂 GTG Brunch En Blanc on the Patuxent, Saturday afternoon, all-white attire.
🎶 Joe Cox plays The Cove at Cobb Island, Thursday at 6.
🥕 Three farmers markets this week: La Plata (Wed and Sat), Waldorf (Sat), Bryans Road (Sun).
📸 Free family portraits at the library, Saturday 2 to 4 PM.
🎨 Free Prime Paint Night at the library, Wednesday at 6.
🍪 Oreo taste test for the kids, Friday at 2.
Know a hidden local business?
You can nominate one for a future issue → Here
That’s it for this week.
Before you go,
If you make it out to the Maryland 250 tribute or catch a Crabs game this week, hit reply and tell me how it went. I read every response, and your tips are how a lot of these events end up in the newsletter. Tell me what I should have on the radar for next week too.
That's the week.
From one local to another
— Candace