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The Great Big Fall Weekend



There are so many things going on in Columbia/HoCo this weekend.

How many are there?

So many that when I attempted to make a list I completely crashed and burned. Sorry.

The weather isn’t providing the best set up for the day, either. We’ll start out rainy but it looks like it will clear up in the afternoon. So, not a total washout. 

At the top of my list is the Oakland Mills Fall Festival. It’s free, and begins at 11 am. 



If you want to know more about what’s in store, the festival has its own website.

Oakland Mills Fall Festival 

There will be musical entertainment, free kids crafts, food for purchase, and a variety of craft and other vendors. My personal favorite is when the Oakland Mills High School Band kicks off the festivities at 10:55 with the kind of music that makes you want to cheer. The Oakland Mills High School Fine Arts Boosters will also be on hand throughout the day with an Instrument Petting Zoo - - see, hear, and even get a chance to play a variety of different musical instruments.

If you don’t know me already, I will be easily identifiable as the person who glares at anyone talking while the band is performing. 

Another local event going on today really needs no publicity from me. It’s the Hops and Harvest Festival which is taking place at Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. The team in charge of social media and advertising for Hops and Harvest starts working the day after Wine in the Woods is over in the Spring. At least, it certainly feels like it. If these folks were in charge of informing the community about elections and/or local issues, we’d all be a lot more informed. They are formidable.




Hops and Harvest Festival 

This event is not free. Tickets can be purchased here. You can purchase a designated driver ticket for 15.00 (as opposed to the $50 general admission) and I hope that they have a lot of takers so that festival-goers can get home safely.

If you wonder why I am promoting this event this morning I can give you one reason: Sobar. For the first time, HoCo’s own nonprofit dedicated to providing/promoting appealing alcohol-free beverage options is going to be on hand doing what they do best. Not everyone drinks alcohol. Or some folks might want to take a break during the festival and hydrate themselves with something alcohol-free. 

It’s also good to remember that this is an event which is open to kids. Providing opportunities for non-alcoholic beverages sets a good example for the younger set: not every moment of adult fun is centered around alcohol. Some people can have a good time without it. Attitudes about alcohol use start young. Giving children more than one view of how adults enjoy themselves is a really healthy thing to do.

If Hops and Harvest starts actively seeking out and hosting makers of N.A. beer, I would be really excited. And I might actually buy a ticket. Maybe next year.

Whatever you do this weekend, I hope you have fun. Maybe I will see you at the Oakland Mills Fall Festival.  




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