baltimore waterfront partnership: making charm city even MORE family friendly

I had a delightful chat with Beth Laverick from the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore last week -- and she shared all sorts of plans for how the partnership is looking to create more family friendly events and spaces around the Harbor. {{Did you know the partnership is leading the initiative to make the harbor swimable and fishable by 2020? Me either! Read more here}}.

First family event this summer? A FREE Family Friday Fun Night -- this WEEK! Music, food hot off the grill, beverages (we hear there will be beer), and a whole lotta activites. In addition to Mambo Combo serving up the Latin tunes, our friends from aMuse Toys will be bringing on the fun. There may {and this is not confirmed} even be a bunch of pint size bikes to try out.

Be sure to pack a picnic blanket, towels and extra clothes for the wee ones. We bet you won't be able to keep them out of the Sondheim Fountain! {{evidence to your left. Impromptu fountain run + unprepared mother last year = soggy toddler shoes. She didn't much care...}}

The news release about the event is below. Catch you Friday!

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Whether biking to work or strolling around the Harbor, to take in the breathtaking views, people of all ages are heading outdoors to enjoy the warm weather! In celebration of the arrival of summer, the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore will host a free event at West Shore Park including live Latin music by Mambo Combo, food, drinks, and family activities on Friday, June 10th from 4-7pm.

The event will include cookout fare and beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) for sale with proceeds going to the Waterfront Partnership’s Healthy Harbor initiative; children’s activities including face painting, beanbag tosses, games and balloon animals; live music by local Latin music group Mambo Combo; and much more. Additionally, the Walter Sondheim Fountain will be flowing for children to play in throughout the event.

During the event, the winners of the Baltimore Bike Month Challenge 2011 will be announced.

Families can bring a blanket and enjoy a relaxing evening outdoors on the waterfront. All attendees are encouraged to use alternate modes of transportation to get to West Shore Park whether it be walking, biking, the Charm City Circulator by way of the Purple Route Stop #301 (Baltimore Visitor Center) or #320 (Conway), or the Baltimore Water Taxi. Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore would like to thank Charm City Circulator, Zipcar, and Bike Baltimore for their contributions to the event. For more information, visit www.waterfrontpartnership.org

(cool) tip: stay up to speed with all the waterfront partnership news by 'liking' them on Facebook!