Family fun for the last weekend in June
If you haven't hit the beach yet this summer, you might check out City Sand this weekend, which brings the sand to the Inner Harbor. You can also take in concerts around the harbor, and check out LatinoFest at Patterson Park.
It's also Great American Backyard Campout weekend.
Here's our list of fun, with help from intern Kayla Cross:
Thursday, June 25:
Mutts Gone Nuts Family Night: Kids 6 and under with an adult can enjoy comedy and activities with special dogs at 7 p.m. at the Catonsville branch of the Baltimore County Public Library.
Friday, June 26:
Fourth Friday Family Campfires: Toast marshmallows and learn about the moon at the Anita C. Leight Estuary Center in Abingdon, 8 p.m.-10 p.m. $2 person or $8 per family; call 410-612-6188 to register. Registration is required.
Saturday, June 27:
Great American Backyard Campout: The National Wildlife Federation encourages families to camp out this weekend and enjoy the outdoors, even if it's in the backyard. Check this site to see where you can attend campouts in Maryland.
Breakfast with the Animals: Watch the residents of the Irvine Nature Center enjoy breakfast and discover what types of food the animals like from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Ages 4 and up. $6 for members of the center; $10 for non-members.
City Sand: Watch teams vie for prizes to design the best sand sculpture on an Edgar Allen Poe theme, noon-4 p.m., Harborplace Amphitheater.
Carnival Science Day: The Maryland Science Center hosts a "Carnival Science Day" from noon-4 p.m., featuring carnival games such as the bean bag toss, juggling and face painting, with lessons on the science that applies to them. Free with admission.
Celebrate Your Style" Family Fun Day: Enjoy a free day at Power Plant Live! with the family, and Grammy Nominated artist Brady Rymer & The Little Band That Could. The event, presented by CREATE Everyday Genuises, lasts from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and features music, face painting, a balloon bounce and other fun activities.
Waterfront Wiggle Free Concert Series: Listen to free, live entertainment on Saturdays though September 5 at West Shore Park. The concerts feature music ranging from steel drums to DJs. The concerts start at 4 p.m.
Summer Live! Concert Series: Enjoy free entertainment at the Harborplace Amphitheatre Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m., with live performances of jazz, pop and rock. If there is inclement weather, call 1-800-HARBOR1 to check on the status of a concert.
LatinoFest: Celebrate Latin culture at LatinoFest in Patterson Park, with entertainment, traditional food and booths featuring pottery and jewelry. The event lasts from noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 per person; free for children under 12.
Sunday, June 28:
Weekend Story Time: Kids 2-5 can listen to stories and songs at the Towson branch of the Baltimore County Public Library at 10:30 a.m. Free.
Evening hike: Take a scenic hike from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. along the Patapsco River at Patapsco Valley State Park in Ellicott City. Meet at the McKeldin area. Bring water and good hiking shoes. Ages 11 and up. $2. Register at 410-461-5005.
(Photo of City Sand 2004 by Baltimore Sun photographer Doug Kapustin)
