what's up for the weekend... august 12-14

Lots of fun stuff happening this weekend... who's checking out the BBQ festival? That sounds delicious! For a full list of events, check out our calendar, but here are our picks to keep you and the kiddos entertained!

Backyard Science Days at the Maryland Science Center: Science can happen in a lab, science can happen in space and science can happen in your own back yard! Come to the Maryland Science Center's 6th annual Backyard Science Days for a day of animal encounters and hands-on activities. Stomp on stomp rockets, race vegetables and learn about the science that lives right outside your back door. Whether you like slimy or furry, snakes or turtles, bugs or birds – you are sure to run into your favorite neighborhood critter. Saturday and Sunday from 12 PM - 4PM.

Enchanted Forest's 56th Birthday Bash: Special family activities all weekend at Clarks Ellioak Farm. Fairy tale characters, story times, face painting. On Saturday, they will host the FOURTH ANNUAL ENCHANTED FOREST EMPLOYEES REUNION from 12 noon to 4 PM. All former Enchanted Forest Employees will be admitted free.

Rocknoceros Takes Kids Out to the Bowie Baysox Game: Northern Virginia’s premier power trio for children – Rocknoceros – is set to take kids out to the ballgame with a special pre-game show on Saturday, August 13 at 4:15 p.m. at Bowie Baysox Stadium, 4101 Crain Highway. Bowie, MD. Tickets include general admission to both the Rocknoceros concert and that evening’s Baysox game! Fireworks are scheduled to follow the game. Check out our interview with Rocknoceros...

Bumble Bee Gardening Club at Oregon Ridge Nature Center: Join Oregon Ridge on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month to grow and harvest your own vegetables from 10 AM - 11:30 AM. Children will also make crafts such as bird feeders and stepping stones and make tea, pickles and ice cream using plants they grow. Space is limited and reservations are required.

Maryland BBQ Bash: The BBQ Bash runs Friday and Saturday features live music with local and national acts, top quality barbecue and other food vendors, sponsor displays, crafters, various merchant vendors, farmer’s market, and children’s entertainment. The BBQ Bash is free for the public and has regularly drawn nearly 30,000 attendees for the two days. It's is one of the most anticipated and exciting community events in Harford County, with a following throughout the Baltimore metropolitan region and beyond.

Grandparent Day at Charm City Kids Club: Bring your grandparent to Charm City Kids Club for a special picture frame activity and open play on Sunday from 10 AM - 12 PM! CCKC asks that you RSVP ahead of time. $10 in advance and $12 at the door.

The Salamander Room: Join Irvine Nature Center to read “The Salamander Room” and then hike into the forest to search for salamanders and learn what they need to survive. Sunday from 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM.

Drop In Art Activities at the Walters: Join The Walters for a moveable feast as they explore various cuisines in our collection. This August, they will cook up some fun food-inspired art. Just add a dash of sculpture, a pinch of painting and then stir in some creativity and viola! Bon Appétit! This weekend's activities are related to yummy still lifes. Drop by 10:30 AM - 3:00 PM on Saturday or Sunday.

Tax Free Shopping Week: The second Sunday of August to the following Saturday are designated as Shop Maryland Week each year. That means qualifying apparel and footwear $100 or less are exempt from the Maryland 6% sales tax. This year, Shop Maryland Week is August 14-20. We've got our guide to Tax Free Shopping (and keeping it local!) coming out tomorrow.