Looking for some new and different weekend adventures? Beginning this fall, discover the region in a whole new way when you travel the Southern Maryland Trails, made up of one-of-a kind events, handmade art and food that's home-grown, and unique people who can help you have interesting new experiences.
Sat.-Sun., Oct. 7-8 is the grant launch celebration of the NEW Southern Maryland Trails, featuring two new trails in Charles, Anne Arundel, and Prince George’s counties, and expanded sites in Calvert and St. Mary’s counties.
The trails are a network of partner sites published in an informative guidebook. The trails are arranged to make it easy for visitors to plan a "driving trail trip" for a day or a weekend and to encourage visitors from inside and outside Southern Maryland to explore the farm-based activities, original arts and local hospitality of the area.
Trails include sites that celebrate Southern Maryland's natural culture and heritage, including farms, art studios and galleries, eateries, lodgings and more. "The emphasis is on quality and authenticity: things that are home-grown and hand-made," said Christine Bergmark, executive director of the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, the organization that spear-headed the trails project. “Our goals are multi-faceted. With this book, we hope to bring visitors to Southern Maryland, but equally as important is to educate ourselves. So many times, we don’t know what is in our own backyard. By raising awareness of the beauty of Southern Maryland, and showcasing our local farms and businesses, we hope to show visitors and ourselves the beauty and richness of our region… and what we can do to keep it here. “
On October 7-8, enjoy special demonstrations, exhibits, shows, and more at partner sites, and many “appointment only” sites will be open all weekend with no appointment necessary! More information on the launch can be found at http://www.somdtrails.com/.
The new guidebook includes a pullout map, a guide to local lively arts, farmers markets, and educational opportunities along the trails. Also new in this book is an “on the water” indicator, as many of the trails sites are accessible by boat.
The trails guidebooks will be distributed in welcome and visitors' centers, at partner sites, and the following designated sites: Crain Memorial Visitors’ Center, Route 301; Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, SMECO Building, Hughesville; The Dahlia House at Serenity Farms, Benedict; Calvert Country Market, Prince Frederick; Solomon’s Information Center, Solomons; Blue Wind Gourmet, California; North End Gallery, Leonardtown; The Ice Cream Factory, Brandywine; Greenstreet Growers, Lothian; and the Accokeek Foundation, Accokeek. The books will also be made available by mail to tourists from outside the area.
New trails participant sites will regularly added to the trails network. Those located in Southern Maryland may apply for inclusion based on trails criteria.
To find out more about participating, contact the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, P. O. Box 745, Hughesville, MD 20637; phone: 301-274-1922; fax: 301-274-1924; cbergmark@tccsmd.org; http://www.somdtrails.com/.