Tourism Celebration Grant Will Leverage Over $200,000 in County Funding; Applications Open Until April 2

Baltimore County today announced the inaugural Baltimore County Tourism Celebration Grant program, a new opportunity to enhance the visitor experience in Baltimore County by leveraging $210,000 in County funding for tourism or cultural arts events.

Beginning today, individuals and organizations may apply for grants between $2,000 to $20,000 for an event taking place in Baltimore County between April 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021. The grants will require applicants to secure or provide matching funds.

The application process for Baltimore County Tourism Celebration Grants is now open. Applicants must apply by Thursday, April 2, 2020, at 4 p.m.

“This Tourism Celebration Grant will energize our local economy by supporting events that can draw more visitors, build meaningful partnerships, elevate community stakeholders, and better connect residents with all that Baltimore County has to offer,” Olszewski said. “We’re excited for the potential of this new opportunity to further enhance arts and tourism opportunities across Baltimore County.”

The Tourism Celebration Grant is the latest effort from the Olszewski Administration to expand Baltimore County’s tourism industry as a fundamental pillar of economic development.

A recent study conducted for the Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development found that expanded investments and strategic improvements to the tourism sector could generate approximately $7 billion in tourism spending over a 10-year period.

Application and Guidelines Information Sessions

Two information sessions will be held regarding the grant application and guidelines:

Thursday, March 12, from 6 to 7 p.m.
Towson Chamber of Commerce
44 West Chesapeake Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21204

Friday, March 13, from 10 to 11 a.m.
Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development
400 Washington Avenue, Suite 100
Towson, Maryland 21204

Contact tourism@baltimorecountymd.gov to RSVP for the information sessions or with any questions regarding the grant or application process.

Baltimore County will consider the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusivity in its assessment of these grant applications.

All events must be family-friendly and accessible. Complete grant application information is available on the County Tourism and Cultural Arts web page.

By Michael Schneider, Baltimore County Recreation and Parks

May in Baltimore County’s 220 parks brings special events for moms, a hunt for faeries and elves at Cromwell Valley Park, a Bloomin' Art Fest in Reisterstown, a community carnival in Colgate, campout at Lake Roland, full moon hikes, and Karma Fest. Mother's Day, Memorial Day, any day is a great day in the park.

Tuesdays through June 5

After School: Nature Scouts (reservations required)    Lake Roland

Friday, May 4

Friday Stroll    Lake Roland

Pokémon Late Night Madness    Marshy Point Nature Center

Bookwork Story Time    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Ephemeral Wildflower Walk (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Social Dance    Therapeutic Recreation

Saturday, May 5

Gardening for Butterflies and Bees (registration required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Primitive Technology Weekend    Cromwell Valley Park

Watercolor Cityscape (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Native Plant Sale    Lake Roland

Yoga in the Park   Lake Roland

Workboat Trip to Hart Miller Island (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Rock On! Painted Rocks (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Sunday, May 6

Primitive Technology Weekend    Cromwell Valley Park

Nature Quest Canoe (registration required)    Lake Roland

Cattails, The Jack of all Plants    Marshy Point Nature Center

Monday, May 7

Pre-K Nature Drop-In: Baby Plants    Marshy Point Nature Center

Tuesday, May 8

Baltimore Bird Club Walk    Lake Roland

Wednesday, May 9 through Saturday, May 12

Colgate Annual Carnival    Colgate Recreation Council

Wednesday, May 9

Natural World of Art: Vase Pendant (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Preschool Program (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Thursday, May 10

Dulcimer Workshop (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Shoots and Letter: Snakes    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, May 11

Night Out with Nature: The Maryland Biodiversity Project with Jim Brighton (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

Creative Clay: Silly Bird (concludes May 25 – registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Friday Stoll   Lake Roland

Morning Bird Walk (registration appreciated)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Show Choir and Jr. Show Choir    Therapeutic Recreation

Saturday, May 12

International Migratory Bird Day    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Discovering Orioles (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

TALMAR Gardens Mother’s Day Plant Sale    Cromwell Valley Park

BUGS!    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Bonfire and Night Hike    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Spring Family Campout (concludes May 13 - registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Mother’s Day Story, Walk and Tea (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

12^th Annual Bloomin’ ArtFest    Reisterstown Recreation Council

Sunday, May 13

TALMAR Gardens Mother’s Day Plant Sale    Cromwell Valley Park

Mother’s Day Tea    Cromwell Valley Park

Mother’s Day Bird Walk    Lake Roland

Mother’s Day Birdwalk    Marshy Point Nature Center

Mother’s Day Canoe Trip (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Mother’s Day Story, Walk and Tea (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Monday, May 14

Pre-K Nature Drop-In: Rainbow Flowers    Marshy Point Nature Center

Nature Book Club – The Tide: The Science and Stories Behind the Greatest Force on Earth by Hugh  Aldersey-Williams (registration appreciated)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Tuesday, May 15

Baltimore Bird Club Walk    Lake Roland

Speaker Series: “The World of the Dragonfly” by Susan Minor    Marshy Point Nature Center

Wednesday, May 16

Natural World of Art: Flowers, Painted with Yarn (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Preschool Program (registration required)   Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Amphibian Walk (registration required)     Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Thursday, May 17

Dulcimer Workshop (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Shoots and Letters: Turtles    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, May 18

Spring Campout (continues through May 19 – reservations required)    Lake Roland

Friday Stroll    Lake Roland

Saturday, May 19

Mid-Atlantic Turtles and Tortoises Society Speaker Series   Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Wildflower Jelly Making (registration required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

What’s Cookin’, Mr. Banneker?    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Master Gardener Plant Sale    Baltimore County Center for Maryland Agriculture and Farm Park

Spring Wildflower Walk    Cromwell Valley Park

All About Pets    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

The Hive and the Honeybee    Marshy Point Nature Center

Live Bluegrass and Country Music at Victory Villa Community Center    Middle River Recreation Council

Native Plant Swap    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Karma Fest    Oregon Ridge Park

Sunday, May 20

Faeries and Elves of the Forest    Cromwell Valley Park

Fishing the Dock (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Karma Fest     Oregon Ridge Park

Monday, May 21

Pre-K Nature Drop-In: Honeybees    Marshy Point Nature Center

Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council Speaker Series – The View Below: Amazing Sights in Our Everyday Streams.  Keith Williams, Executive Director, NorthBay: Author; Underwater Naturalist  Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Wednesday, May 23

Natural World of Art: Soda Can Flower (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Preschool Program (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Thursday, May 24

Dulcimer Workshop (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Shoots and Letters: What lives under logs?    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Friday, May 25

Late Spring Starry Night Campfire (registration required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Full Flower Moon Night Hike    Cromwell Valley Park

Friday Stroll    Lake Roland

Full Planting Moon Canoe Trip (registration required)    Marshy Point Nature Center

Saturday, May 26

Moss Workshop (registration required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Oella History Hike (registration required)    Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum

Drop in Gardening    Cromwell Valley Park

Girl Scouts Day (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

Estuary Exploration    Marshy Point Nature Center

Sunday, May 27

Corn & Dog Roast (registration required)    Cromwell Valley Park

Bluebirds on the Bay    Marshy Point Nature Center

Wednesday, May 30   

Natural World of Art: Strawberries (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Preschool Program (registration required)    Holt Park and Center for the Arts

Thursday, May 31

Dulcimer Workshop (registration required)    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Shoots and Letters: What lives in the trees?    Oregon Ridge Nature Center

Programs are run by Baltimore County Recreation and Parks and Nature Council volunteers. Many programs are free, but some ask for a donation or have a small fee. Be sure to check the websites to confirm times and locations.

With our parks in full bloom now, what better time to take a walk, hike or run.  Check out our over 200 Baltimore County Parks to experience the beauty and fresh air up-close and personal.  They are your parks. Enjoy them to the fullest!

 

 

By Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz

I was born, raised, live and work in Baltimore County. Here are just a few of the many things to love about our home county.

Our schools rule, with an 89% graduation rate and seven Baltimore County public high schools ranked among the region’s 25 best by Niche, a nationally recognized website that evaluates schools and neighborhoods.

The Ravens are at home here, at the Under Armour Performance Center in Owings Mills.

Craft brews from Heavy Seas, Du Claw, Key and White Marsh brewing are a great way to cheer our favorite teams.

Guinness is bringing its Open Gate Brewery & Barrel House to Baltimore County – the legendary brand’s only North America location for brewing and testing new beers.

You can be in downtown Towson and, 10 minutes later, be driving past a thoroughbred horse farm, enjoying a round of golf, or taste-testing at a vineyard.

Baltimore County boasts more than 200 miles of shoreline for waterfront dining, sailing, kayaking, and sunset celebrations, on shore and off.

Thirty percent of Baltimore County’s land is preserved as parkland and open space for recreation, green space, water protection and family farms.

Tradepoint Atlantic, one of the largest industrial redevelopments in the U.S., is bringing 10,000 jobs back to Sparrows Point.

When a Fortune 500 company brings 400 new jobs to Baltimore County, you know we’ve got something great going on here. Thanks Stanley Black & Decker.

There’s no place like home!