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Fans of trading card games (TCG) may already know about the I-95 Card Fest @ HoCo Fairgrounds. It’s a 2-day show featuring TCG such as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, and vintage Dragon Ball cards, along with sports cards (football, basketball, baseball, soccer), autographs, and collectibles.

The 2nd Annual Pride in July is back at the Columbia Lakefront this weekend in what is likely the biggest event in the area. It’s sure to be an entertaining and colorful affair!

Speaking of affairs, last week I mentioned a mobile bookstore but goofed a bit. Instead of Fictional Affairs Bookstore, I called it Financial Affairs Bookstore. Oh brother. 🤣

Let’s see what else is happening this weekend!

Jim Wang

CD Valet collects the best CD rates from thousands of financial institutions so you can find the best rate for your savings. Run by Seattle Bank, all listed banks are FDIC insured and all credit unions are NCUA insured up to $250,000.

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Tell your friends about Fulton Flyer and you may win stuff! This is still a work in progress so I don't know what we'll do but I wanted to start keeping track now so you can get credit whenever we do turn it on. 😃

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Latest News

Reminder: HCPSS Free Summer Meal Program 🍕

HCPSS runs a free summer meal program on weekdays from June 24 through July 31 (no meal service on July 3rd). No applications and no fees, open to any children ages 18 and under from 12:30 to 2pm.

Black Bears Spotted in Ellicott City 🐻

The Baltimore Sun reported on a recent visit by a black bear up in Ellicott City and apparently they’re expanding their territory. Move away safely, make loud noises, and call DNR!

🗣️ have news you want to share? reply and we may feature it!

Local Business

Howard County Restaurant Weeks 7/28 - 8/9

It starts this upcoming Monday and runs through August 9th, it features many wonderful restaurants. If you go to the website now, the details are sparse but I suspect it will fill in as Monday draws closer.

Fun Things To Do

As always, confirm events before you go, sometimes they change, get cancelled, etc.

Today

Friday

  • Dancin’ Under the People Tree - Fridays at the CA Lakefront are for Dancin’ Under the People Tree 💃🕺🏽. CA’s high-energy group fitness instructors will get you moving with an upbeat, all-levels dance session. We'll meet at 7pm under the People Tree (the 30-foot sculpture with human-shaped branches).

  • Movie Night: The Mitchells vs. The Machines - After Dancin’ Under the People Tree 💃🏽, it’s movie time 🎥. Bring a blanket and join us for movie nights at dusk. From timeless classics to the newest blockbusters, there's something for everyone at Lakefront Live. All films are closed captioned and begin at dusk (around 8pm).

  • Friday Flicks Series: Goat - Head to Granville Gude Park to enjoy a movie with friends and family. Bring a blanket or a chair, pack a picnic or grab something to eat at our concession stand and relax for some great lakeside entertainment, movie starts at sunset (around 8:30pm).

  • Summer Concert – Radio King Orchestra @ Glen Mar Church - Enjoy a 7pm performance by Radio King Orchestra, delighting dancers and listeners with their extensive big band repertoire and spirited performances. Talented musicians recreate the rich sophistication of big band greats and the carefree nature of the cherished Rat Pack.

  • KPop Night @ Oversea Distillery - Enjoy KPop night goes from 8pm to 12am.

  • Elkridge Volunteer Fire Dept. Food Truck Fridays - Every Friday until October 30th, a variety of food trucks will be there from 4:30-7:30pm. They list the food trucks attending each week and it’s usually a very big turnout.

  • Half Price Fridays @ National Aquarium - After 5pm, enjoy half priced tickets at the National Aquarium all year long.

  • Karaoke @ The Trolley Stop - Fridays at 9:30pm hosted by Kelly Secret.

  • Teen Kick Backs (11-17 yrs) @ Various Community Centers - Teens (11-17 years old): Are you looking for a fun way to spend your free time? Come and join us at our community centers for our free drop-in program for teens! There will be free pizza and snacks, sports, video games, and lots of fun. Click through to see when they’re being held and on which day, they’re every Friday and Saturday through August.

Saturday

  • Lowe’s Kids Workshop: MrBeast Swarm Jet Workshop - From 10am-1pm, come with your kids to build a MrBeast Swarm Jet. Registration recommended and it’s $15.

  • Lululemon Summer Series Sweat Class - Get ready to crush your cardio and sweat it out with the coolest crew led by Angel! Join us for their second class at The Mall in Columbia from 10-11am as part of the Summer Sweat Series. Participants will receive special offerings from select mall retailers. Post-class hangout will be at Lululemon.

  • Clarksville Sunflower Festival 2026 @ Mary’s Land Farm - This is the second weekend of the festival and your ticket includes acres of flowers, live music, food trucks, kids’ activities, wagon rides, and a bloom to take home. Saturday 10-4, Sunday 11-4. Adults ~$25, kids ~$17.

  • 2nd Annual Pride in July @ LakeFront Live - In partnership with Howard County PFLAG, Columbia Association (CA) invites you to a vibrant celebration featuring a non-stop dance floor hosted by SADBrunch and a color parade that will paint the town neon. The Pride in July color parade will start at the Columbia Association Lakefront with a burst of neon color, followed by a walk around Lake Kittamaqundi to show off the pride we have in our community.

  • I-95 Card Fest @ HoCo Fairgrounds - A 2-day show featuring trading card games (TCG) such as Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece, and vintage Dragon Ball cards, along with sports cards (football, basketball, baseball, soccer), autographs, and collectibles.

  • Sip & Script @ Penn Oaks Winery - Whether you're a beginner or simply looking to brush up on your lettering skills, this guided calligraphy class is the perfect way to unwind, sip your favorite wine, and learn something new. A professional instructor will walk you step-by-step through modern script techniques, helping you create a beautiful hand-lettered piece to take home.

  • Good Kid-izen: Healthy Habits - From 10am to noon, Bring the whole family to Color Burst Park for a morning filled with interactive fun. From games to crafts, there’s something for every little adventurer - this week, stretch, snack, and smile! Find your summer flow with a morning of joyful movement and mindful moments to keep your body and brain feeling their best.

  • Nite Bite Fishing - For $5, you can fish at night at Centennial Lake starting at 6pm until midnight.

  • Summer Movie Nights @ The Wine Bin - Pack your chair or blanket, grab your friends and head to the Bin. Come early for wine tastings in the shop beforehand and live music by local friends in the parking lot. This week’s movie is The Breakfast Club.

  • Howard Astronomical League Star Parties - The HAL hosts star parties every month up at Alpha Ridge Park from March through November, the next public one (for non-members) is on July 25th.

  • Clarksville Commons Farmer’s Market - Today from 9am to 1pm with guest Grassroots Crisis Intervention and live music by Richard Rowe.

  • Fulton Farmers Market - The market run by Milk Lady Markets is this Saturday, 10am-2pm, at Sho Nuf Turkey Farm.

  • Old Ellicott City Farmers Market - The Seasonal Farmers Market at Tiber Park is from 9am to 1pm with nearly a dozen vendors.

  • Downtown Silver Spring Freshfarm Farmers Market - Veterans Plaza from 9am-1pm, the year round market features local vendors offering everything from seasonal fruits and vegetables to farm-fresh eggs, artisanal breads, goat cheese, meats, honey, cut flowers, pastries, preserves, and more.

  • KidSpace Movie Night @ Columbia Gym - Kids 4-13 of CA members can enjoy a movie, free activities, pizza, and popcorn from 6pm to 9pm. Unfortunately, CA doesn’t seem to list the movie being shown!

Sunday

  • Weekend Wind Down @ Columbia Lakefront - CA is serving up relaxed, laid-back performances on select Sundays - perfect for elevating your brunch, soaking in the scenery and savoring those Sunday vibes. New this year, join the Columbia Art Center and instructor Thasis Piageti-Cassel, for a Paint & Sip, down at the CA Lakefront, for a Love is Love Pride themed painting.

  • Summer Hits Atomic Mingo @ HoCo Brew Hive - Starting at 5pm, Atomic Mingo returns with a Summer Hits themed game of music bingo.

  • Encore Comedy Show @ Black Flag Brewing - Join us for a night of laughs, brews, and good company at our monthly comedy showcase! The last Sunday of every month we turn the taproom into a comedy club.

  • Drag Brunch @ Sapwood Cellars - From 11am to 1pm, celebrate Pride Month at their first ever Drag Brunch! Enjoy multiple iconic performances and a charismatic host, all complete with a special Brunch menu and drinks!

  • Ellicott Distilling Co. Distillery Class - Distill your own bottle of vodka or gin and flavor it with their thousands of flavor combinations or bring your own. Get a custom label, do some trivia, win prizes, eat tacos, and sip on bottomless mimosas! Starts at 10am and ends around 12:30pm.

Upcoming

  • Yoga in the Park - Every Monday through August 31st, join Columbia Association instructors Mondays at 6pm throughout the summer for FREE yoga sessions at the Chrysalis!

  • Centennial Park Summer Concerts: Weird Science 7/29 - Bring a blanket and a picnic while enjoying the musical sounds of summer with 80's rock band Weird Science. Starts at 7pm.

  • Merriweather Summer Fit Series: Zumba 7/28 - Head to Color Burst Park from 6:30-7:30pm to sweat, stretch, and feel fantastic with our summer fit series lineup with next Tuesday being Zumba with Cris Oviedo: Shake, shimmy, and sweat with Cris's infectious dance fitness energy.

  • 10th Anniversary @ Brookeville Beer Farm 7/28 - Celebrate ten years with $5 core pours, special beer releases, merch drops, and a performance by Cris Jacobs Band from 7-9pm.

  • Free Bingo Night @ Common Kitchen - Every Tuesday at 6pm. You get 6 free bingo cards (and can earn more, ask the bingo caller!) and can win prizes each round like free food and drink and Common Kitchen gift certificates.

  • Trivia @ Kelsey’s Restaurant - Team Trivia hosts trivia at Kelsey’s every Tuesday starting at 7pm.

  • Trivia @ Black Flag - Charm City Entertainment hosts trivia at Black Flag Brewing every Tuesday starting at 7pm.

  • Trivia @ Sapwood Cellars - Cap City hosts trivia at Sapwood Cellars every Tuesday starting at 7pm.

  • Trivia @ Notch8 Brewery - Every Tuesday is trivia night at Notch8. Sporcle Live Trivia hosts two games at 7pm and again at 8pm.

Weather This Weekend

Friday - 83° | 61° - 🌤️ - 0”
Saturday - 82° | 64° - 🌤️ - 0”
Sunday - 85° | 66° - 🌧️ - 0.04”

☀️ data from Weather Underground

Local Theatres and Shows

Theater/Company

Show

Dates

Mean Girls

6/15 - 8/23

Carla Hall in Please Underestimate Me

6/3 - 7/26
*extended

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder

7/2 - 8/23

School of Rock: The Next Generation @ Kay Theatre at The Clarice

7/30

Chicago: Teen Edition @ Kay Theatre at The Clarice

7/30 - 7/31

Catch Me If You Can @ Kay Theatre at The Clarice

7/30 - 7/31

Live Music, Brunches, & Bar Events

Here are all the places (that I’ve found) that have free live music (or more) in the area - if I am missing your favorite venue, please let me know! (bars may have separate covers)

🎶 Music | ❓ Trivia | 🎭 Comedy | 🍳 Brunch | 🎤 Karaoke
💵 Ticketed or cover

Friday 7/24

🎶 Looney’s Pub - 9MileRoots - 9pm
🎶 River Hill Grill - Echo Avenue Band - 7pm–10pm
🎶 Common Kitchen - Mark Whiskey & the Sours - 6pm
🎶 Reckless Shepherd - Doc Marten and the Flannels - 9pm 💵
🎶 18th & 21st - Benji Poreki - 6pm–11pm
🎶 Blackwall Barn & Lodge - Mark Scott - 8pm–11pm
🎶 Smashing Grapes - Marissa Zechinato - 8pm–11pm
🎶 White Oak Tavern - Noah Pierre - 8pm–10pm
🎶 Bare Bones Grill & Bar - Pulse - 8pm–12am
🎶 Kelsey’s Restaurant - Rainy Day Matinee - 6pm–9:30pm
🎶 Little Market Café - Deb & Gary - 6pm–8pm
🎶 Manor at Silo Falls - Selina Solo

🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Brett Buehler - 5:30pm–8:30pm

Saturday 7/25

🎶 Looney’s Pub - Bonfire - 9pm–close
🎶 River Hill Grill - The Crossin T’s Band - 7pm–10pm
🎶 Clarksville Commons - Richard Rowe - 9am–1pm
🎶 Reckless Shepherd - In Too Deep - 8:30pm
🎶 18th & 21st - Damon Foreman - 6pm–11pm
🎶 Blackwall Barn & Lodge - Grayson Moon - 8pm–11pm
🎶 Smashing Grapes - Jennifer Schimpf - 8pm–11pm
🎶 White Oak Tavern - Ruben Montoya - 8pm–10pm
🎶 Bare Bones Grill & Bar - HighTest - 8pm–12pm
🎶 Kelsey’s Restaurant - Brandt Dunn - 6pm–9:30pm
🎶 Little Market Café - Shamboogi - 6pm–8pm

🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Daisy Road - 5:30pm 8:30pm
🎶 Lone Oak Brewing - Dave Koplow - 2pm-5pm
🎶 Waredaca Brewing - Kate Keeley - 47pm

Sunday 7/26

🎤 Union Jack’s - Karaoke with DJ Teej - 9pm–2am

🍳 Blackwell Barn & Lodge - Stephen Henson - 11am2pm
🍳 Galliano - Jazz Brunch- 11:30am2:30pm
🍳 Smashing Grapes - Mark Gregan - 11am–2pm
🍳 White Oak Tavern - Live Jazz Music - 11am2pm

🎶 Sonoma’s - Scotty P - 3pm–5pm
🎶 18th & 21st - Sidestreet Duo - 5pm–9pm
🎶 Little Market Café - The Truehearts - 12pm–3pm
🎶 Manor at Silo Falls - James Kirk - 3pm

🎶 Manor Hill Brewing - John Benjamin - 2pm5pm
🎶 Brookeville Beer Farm - Shaun Mele Nahenahe - 1pm4pm
🎶 Lone Oak Brewing - Vico Cycle - 2pm5pm
🎶 Waredaca Brewing - Simba - 2pm5pm

🗣️ have a favorite spot I missed? reply and we may feature it!

Thank You!

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See you around town,
— Jim Wang

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