A Festival of Maryland’s Farms, Food and Family Fun
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC) is excited to announce the third annual Buy Local Challenge Celebration which will be held on Monday, July 29, 2019, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Spider Hall Farm, in Prince Frederick, Calvert County.
The summer evening celebration will be set up outdoors, farmers’ market-style at Spider Hall Farm, a family-owned working 362-acre tobacco, corn, grain farm that is well known for its memorable agritourism family-friendly Fall fun events and farm stand.
The general public is invited to experience all the food and fun that Maryland’s farms can provide; as well as the creative talents of local artists and craftsmen. The event offers the opportunity for consumers to purchase from over 40 Maryland farmers and local artisans selling farm-raised meats, cheese, produce, seafood, baked goods, jams and jellies, honey, ice cream, handmade soaps and scents, plus tastings and sales from Maryland’s wineries, distilleries and breweries.
Event highlights include food trucks with menus featuring locally sourced ingredients, live music featuring Ryan Forrester and John Luskey’s new band ‘FLYT’, carriage rides with the magnificent Suttler Post Farm Clydesdales, and a raffle with items generously donated by participating vendors. There’s also fun for the whole family; Spider Hall’s play area will be open through the evening with activities for kids of all ages including a straw bale maze, giant slide, 3 educational buildings to tour with hands-on activities, the corn box and an interactive music wall. Mary’s Go Round Pony Rides and Petting Zoo will also be available at no cost to attendees. Ticket holders also receive an insulated shopping bag to keep their purchases cool “from farm to fridge”.
The Buy Local Challenge Celebration is a ‘book end’ event for the statewide Buy Local Challenge Week (BLC) which takes place annually during the last full week of July (20- 28). Jointly promoted by SMADC and Maryland Department of Agriculture, the BLC encourages consumers around the state to purchase Maryland farm products during Buy Local Week. The 2019 Buy Local Challenge Celebration event is sponsored in part by MARBIDCO, Calvert County Economic Development, Maryland Department of Agriculture, Colonial Farm Credit, Rural Maryland Council, Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation, Maryland Farm Bureau, and Grow and Fortify.
Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available now. For event details and to purchase tickets, visit the ‘BLC Event‘ page at www.buylocalchallenge.com.