Calvert County, Maryland Welcomes Spring With Fairs, Festivals and Fun

PRINCE FREDERICK, Md., -- March 1, 2005 -- After a long, cold winter, warm-weather enthusiasts look forward to March and the promise of spring – longer days, greener landscapes and plenty of activities to cure cabin fever. This month, while there may still be a cool nip in the air, there are plenty of activities taking place in Calvert County, Md. to get you out of the house and back into the swing of things.

If you have a penchant for the arts – or just enjoy the beauty of creative works – you won’t want to miss two special shows taking place this month. On March 6 at 2:00 p.m. at the Mary D. Harrison Center in Owings, the Calvert Artists Showcase will feature a host of talented performers like Bill Marquess & the Gang, fiddler Tom Wisner and Ramona Crowley & Sheldon Goldberg, a vocal and piano duo. Proceeds from the admission fee ($10 for students and seniors, 62 and better; $15 for everyone else), benefit local non-profit organizations such as Calvert Hospice, Catholic Charities and Calvert Animal Welfare League. On March 12-13, Annmarie Garden in Solomons holds their annual Calvert Artists Guild Show featuring a variety of artwork in mixed media. Artists will be available during the exhibition from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to sell and discuss their artwork with visitors. Admission is free.

The 29th Annual Calvert County Health Fair, sponsored by the Calvert County Office on Aging and Calvert Memorial Hospital, will be held on Friday, March 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Calvert Pines Senior Center in Prince Frederick. Free/low cost health screenings will be offered to the public to check blood pressure, hearing, vision, diabetes and weight; cholesterol and vascular screenings are also available for a fee and with a pre-arranged appointment through Calvert Memorial Hospital’s Keep Well Center. In addition, there will be exhibits and information on hand to help you make healthier life decisions.

Those interested in nutrition will want to visit the Calvert Country Market in Prince Frederick on Saturday, March 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to learn about National Nutrition Month, an informational campaign sponsored by the American Dietetic Association. Designed to focus attention on the importance of making informed food choices and developing sound physical activity habits, National Nutrition Month is an excellent event to celebrate at the Calvert Country Market. With an abundance of high-quality, locally raised vegetables, meats, seafood and baked goods, there is always something fresh at the Calvert Country Market. In addition to the latest nutrition information, crafters and artisans will be on hand to help youngsters decorate eggs, make spring crafts and shop for special spring gifts and goodies.

If antiquities are your passion, the 12th Anniversary Spring Antiques Festival and Open House takes place the weekend of March 26 and 27. Discover the country charm of Southern Maryland and visit the antiques merchants who sell local estate antiques, collectibles and hand-made gifts. The festival takes place from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Southern Maryland Antiques Center in Huntingtown.

Lastly, for those just itching to get out of the house, why not spend a day on the links? The Chesapeake Hills Golf Club offers special winter rates through the end of March: play all day, Monday through Friday, for just $25 – cart and greens fees included. There is no better way to enjoy the beauty of spring than by being outdoors on a crisp spring day, chasing that elusive hole-in-one on one of Southern Maryland’s most beautiful and challenging golf courses.

With so much to see and do, there’s no reason to be stuck indoors this spring.

For more information on the Calvert County, Maryland Department of Economic Development, our visitor sites and attractions and the services available to assist County businesses, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; or send an e-mail to info@ecalvert.com