On the first Friday of each month, the Leonardtown Business Association celebrates First Fridays from 5 – 8:00 p.m. with a variety of specials offered by our Town businesses in downtown and uptown Leonardtown, the Leonardtown Arts Center, Port of Leonardtown Winery, the Maryland Antiques Center complex, the Shops at Breton Bay and Breton Marketplace.
The August celebration of First Fridays will be a great evening of art, entertainment, food, and special offers. Have a bite to eat with friends and family, buy your raffle tickets before it is too late, and drop off your used cell phones to benefit Hope Phones. Then come to the Square for the live music starting at 6:00 p.m. featuring the talents of Miles from Clever, or just listen to the tunes as you browse from store to store.
Join the crowd in the Square at 7:30 p.m. for the Summertime Raffle Drawing to see who wins First prize - a gorgeous, hand-crafted coffee display table built by artisan carpenter Rob Seltzer of Herring Creek Furniture. Ticket holders are also eligible for a variety of Gift Certificates from local businesses – like Port of Leonardtown Winery, Good Earth Natural Foods, Big Larry’s Comic Book Café, Brewing Grounds, and Fenwick Street Used Books and Music. Summertime Raffle tickets will be on sale through August 3rd at Port of Leonardtown Winery, Fuzzy Farmers Market, North End Gallery, and Fenwick Street Used Books and Music - $1 each or 12 tickets for $10.
Get some rest Friday night, because you’re going to need the energy for great family fun at Leonardtown’s Beach Party on the Square the following day, Saturday, August 4th from 4 – 9:00 p.m. This action-packed event is sure to provide a good time for all! Highlights include the fantastic tunes of The 25th Hour Band, the high-stepping jump ropers of Greenbelt Sity Stars, energetic line-dancing with Pam Veitch, The Daughters of Veda Mid Eastern Dance Troupe, Zumba dance with Robyn Butcher, strolling juggler Philip DePalo, and scientific magic and hands-on experiments with Mad Science! Take the free shuttle to Tudor Hall where you and your children will learn about the culture surrounding the War of 1812 with engaging activities and historical re-enactors.
The fun continues throughout the evening with a tug-of-war in the sand hosted by the College of Southern Maryland, fire truck hose-downs provided by the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department, inflatable Velcro sticky wall and Bungee Football, moon bounce, kids’ sand pit, hula hoop, jump rope and limbo contests, face painting, crafts, informational displays, games, prizes, food and much more! Both for the young and the young-at-heart, is a display of antique cars and classic corvettes. Returning to the Beach Party this year is the Running of the Balls, at 7:00 p.m. on Fenwick Street Hill. Get your prepaid balls from any Leonardtown or Lexington Park Rotary member, at any businesses where you see the Running of the Balls signs, or at the Beach Party event.
If you’re looking for the water slide, it isn’t in the Square this year, it’s been moved to the Leonardtown Wharf to join the kayaks and stand up paddle boats, as well as the new Giant Basketball Hoop. Stroll down the hill or take the Hillside Ride shuttle to enjoy the picturesque scenery on beautiful Breton Bay and talk to Mike McWilliams, a waterman and representative of the National Waterman Heritage Foundation.
Admission to Leonardtown’s "Beach Party" is FREE, but please note that the inflatable Velcro sticky wall and Bungee Football will require wrist bands, which can be purchased for $5 each and allow for unlimited use throughout the event. Food from Town restaurants, as well as local food trucks and non-profit organizations will also be available for purchase.
On Beach Party day, Saturday, August 4th, from 12 Noon until 11:00 p.m. several streets in the downtown Square area will be closed to thru traffic. You are encouraged to park at the College of Southern Maryland and take the free shuttle bus, provided by Carter’s Bus Service, into the downtown area. Leonardtown’s Beach Party on the Square is held in historic downtown Leonardtown in the Town Square, on Washington and Fenwick Streets. This event is sponsored by the Commissioners of Leonardtown and the Leonardtown Business Association.
A special thank you to our Beach Party financial sponsors: Quality Built Homes, Inc., MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital, Two Guys Collision Center, College of Southern Maryland, Loiderman Soltesz Associates, Inc., Cedar Point Federal Credit Union, Salsa’s Mexican Café, St. Mary’s Macaroni Kid and a grant from the St. Mary’s County Arts Council and the Maryland Arts Council.
For more information on Leonardtown’s August First Fridays or the Beach Party on the Square events, contact the Office of the Commissioners of Leonardtown at 301-475-9791 or email us at leonardtown.commissioners@verizon.net. You can also visit First Friday on the web at www.leonardtownfirstfridays.com and Leonardtown on the web at www.leonardtown.somd.com.