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Win
a $50 American Express Card
Take
a survey about the Maryland Tourism Office’s web site – visitmaryland.org – and
you’ll have a chance to win one of four $50 American Express
gift cards. |
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Come
to Maryland for authentic and enriching experiences. Plan
your own
educa-tour. Maryland
has an abundance of places that offer fresh insights into history,
industry, science and culture: from the state’s
Colonial roots to its War
of 1812 heritage; from Chesapeake
Bay lighthouses to the C&O
Canal Towpath; from wine
trails to Civil
War Trails;
from rail museums to aviation and space attractions; from Babe
Ruth to Edgar
Allan Poe. So
much to see and explore in Maryland. And, it’s all Pretty.
Close. (Large image courtesy of National Aquarium in Baltimore.)

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Literary
Life – Book festival at Mount Vernon
Immerse yourself in literary pursuits at the 14th annual Baltimore
Book Festival, Sept. 25-27 at historic Mount Vernon
Place, adjacent to the Walters Art Museum.
Free event features non-stop readings on eight stages, demos
by celebrity chefs, panel discussions,
walking tours, street theater, live music and variety of food
and beverage vendors. Buzz Aldrin, Gwen Ifill, Ralph Nader,
Chris Gardner (pictured), Maureen McCormick among participating
authors. |
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Uniquely
Maryland – Crab races, decoy artists
Celebrate
two state traditions: crabs and decoys. Visit Crisfield on
the Lower Eastern Shore, Sept. 4-6, for the 62nd annual National
Hard Crab Derby and Fair. Crab races, crab cooking and picking
contests, skiff races, swim meet, Miss Crustacean contest,
and plenty of fresh seafood. On Sept. 12, head to Havre
de Grace Decoy Museum – on the edge of the Susquehanna
River at the top of the Chesapeake Bay – for 22nd annual
Duck Fair. Free-admission event presents 40 wildlife artists
and carvers, auction, retriever demos, decoy painting, food. |
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History & Heritage – War
of 1812 comes to life
Maryland’s War of 1812 bicentennial commeration is just a few
years away. Get a feel for the upcoming events at these September
occasions. Defenders Day at North Point, Sept. 6 at Fort Howard Park,
is an opportunity to learn about the American troops who withstood
a British assault in the 1814 Battle of Baltimore. Star-Spangled
Banner Weekend at Fort McHenry, Sept. 12-13, presents re-enactors,
demos, concert and fireworks. Then, head to Jefferson Patterson Park
in Calvert County for a War of 1812 Re-enactment and Tavern
Night,
Sept. 19. |
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Arts & Entertainment – Celebrations
of culture
Stroll through Chestertown, a Colonial riverfront town on the Eastern
Shore. On Sept. 12, the town hosts Art
in the Park, an annual exposition
of regional artwork at Fountain Park (image by Holly
Geddes).
Discover Appalachian heritage at Frostburg State University’s
third annual Appalachian
Festival, Sept. 19-20. Performers, craftspeople, workshops,
demos and concerts provide a rich tapestry of mountain culture.
On Sept.
26, downtown Silver Spring showcases the arts, local history and
world cultures at ninth annual Magical
Montgomery Festival. |
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Sporting
Life – Boats, bikes and horses
Experience
life on the Chesapeake at the Skipjack Race and Land
Festival,
Sept. 6-7, in Deal Island Harbor. Six miles long and
three miles wide, Deal Island is an oasis of fishing, boating
and bird-watching. Event has parade, concerts, dance, docking
contest and kayak races. On Sept. 12, the island hosts its Skipjack
Bike Tour. Later in month, watch world-class equestrians compete
in 22nd annual Columbia Classic Grand Prix, Sept. 20, at new
location in Clarksville. Pony rides, family fun and raffle for
prizes – including 2010 Mercedes. |
Win
a $100 VISA gift card
Provide
your opinions about
exhibits at a new state park
on the Eastern Shore that honors
the life of Harriet Tubman.
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Share
Maryland memories in photo contest
Submit photos of your Maryland Treasures to the MD
Travel photostream on Flickr by Sept. 8 (day after Labor Day) and be eligible to win a Maryland
getaway. |

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