Best Upcoming Spring Art Festivals Or Events In Baltimore
6th Annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival
Maryland State Fairgrounds
2200 York Road
Timonium, Md. 21093
(410) 252-0200
www.beerandbourbon.com
Price: $35-$85 adult and VIP tickets, $35 Designated driver, children 12 and under are free
Dates: March 22 - 23
The Maryland Beer, Bourbon & BBQ festival substitutes the typical fine art worthy of a museum for the fine art of finger-licking fun, boasting "60 beers, 40 bourbons, and lots of BBQ." Enjoy tasting the wide variety with a free souvenir glass while gorging on ribs, sausages, pulled pork, brisket, chicken and bacon. Of course, there will be toe-tapping music and an array of barbeque products to purchase. Check out the vendors selling seasonings, cigars, jerky, chilli peppers and much more including soaps, chocolates, candles and jewelry. Welcome spring with a barbeque to remember all year long.
Sugarloaf Crafts Festival
Maryland State Fairgrounds
2200 York Road
Timonium, Md. 21093
(800) 210-9900
www.sugarloafcrafts.com
Price: $10 at the door; children 12 and under are free
Dates: April 26 to April 28
There is something to be said for learning how genuine crafts are made directly from the artist themselves. You'll gain a better appreciation for the hard work involved and the art you buy will remain a treasure for years. Well over 200 artists will exhibit their crafts, including glass, ceramic and leather products. Watch as they demonstrate spinning clay, sculpting metal, making paper and carving wood. Also new this year is Nick Vincent's iron forging. Pick up a personalized gift of jewelry, photography, clothing, sculpture, or items for the home and garden. Indulge in gourmet foods such as breads, pickles, jerky, nuts, candies, and jams. Meanwhile, listen to returning musicians Ngu Mbandi on piano and Stan and LeeAnne singing your favorite tunes of the past forty years. Chris Wilson joins this year on guitar. Bring along the kids, who will love the costume storytelling by Middle Earth. Save $1 off admission and additional craft savings with these festival coupons.
46th Annual Towsontown Spring Festival
44 W. Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, Md. 21204
www.towsontownspringfestival.com
Price: Free
Dates: May 4 to 5 – hours vary
Guaranteed to bring a crowd, the Towsontown Spring festival helps to trumpet the height of the season. Enjoy free entry to the festival and get ready to dance along to music at the 98 Rock and Mix 106.5 beer gardens. Peruse the various artisans and craftsmen, selling jewelry, clothing, painted glass, woodwork, and hammocks. Play games of bean bag toss or try your luck at the carnival spinning wheel. The kids can have a blast too with the moon bounce, face painting, petting zoo, magic shows and carnival rides and games. Parking is recommended at the nearby Towson mall.
40th Annual Maryland Sheep And Wool Festival
Howard County Fairgrounds
2210 Howard County Fair Road
West Friendship, Md. 21794
(410) 531-3647
www.sheepandwool.org
Price: Free entry and parking
Dates: May 4 and May 5 – 8 a.m.
What better way to celebrate spring than by shearing sheep, much like the shedding of our winter coats? Now in its fortieth year, the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival invites you to bring the entire family, though please leave pets at home. Learn the process of how wool is sheared, then spun and woven into thread to make clothing, blankets, and even handbags. Live animal shows include rabbits, poultry and other farm animals, though you may also check out workshops, competitions and auctions. Browse through crafts while listening to music and munching festival food, like the popular kettle corn.
11th Annual Wine & Food Festival
Oregon Ridge State Park
13401 Beaver Dam Road
Cockeysville, Md. 21030
www.uncorkthefun.com
Price: $27-59 adult and VIP tickets, $20 Designated drivers, children 12 and under are free
Dates: June 1 and 2 – noon to 6 p.m.
Appreciate the fine art that springs forth from a vineyard and is poured into your cup. Two-hundred wines from more than 20 Maryland wineries are presented for you to taste, and if any appeal to you, are available to purchase. Though everyone who attends walks away with a tasting glass and a good time, VIP tickets grant access to specialty wines in addition to gourmet foods including cheeses, spices, and olive oil. There will be plenty of cooking demonstrations though feel free to pack a picnic with chairs or a blanket, and listen to music including Baltimore's own Kelly Bell Band, and Beatles tribute band, BritishMania. Vendors will also sell wine accessories, aprons, jewelry, hot sauces, cigars, and pastas. There is no need to drink and drive as shuttle buses will run between the Hunt Valley light rail station and the festival.
Pam Smith graduated from Penn State with a B.A. in English and a passion for writing. Her adaptive nature led her to work in the scientific, energy supply, and business industries while writing on a multitude of topics for various online media. Pam currently resides in Baltimore County. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
