AUGUST 2024 - TOURISM NEWS & NOTES | |
State Heritage Area Grants Support Three Cultural Tourism Projects in Prince George’s County, MD
The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority has awarded eighty-seven matching grants totaling $5.19 million to Maryland nonprofits, local jurisdictions, and heritage tourism organizations. Three projects in the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area of Prince George’s County have been awarded $185,000 in funding:
- The Gateway CDC received the maximum capital State Heritage Area grant award of $100,000 to support the adaptive reuse of a ca. 1930s historic firehouse in the Town of Cottage City into a center for film production and the visual arts.
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The Field of Firsts Foundation, a non-profit supporter of the College Park Aviation Museum, received the maximum non-capital award of $50,000 in State Heritage Area funding to create a new exhibit about Black aviators who, historically segregated in the profession, founded the Columbia Air Center as the first licensed Black-owned and operated airport in the country.
- The City of Greenbelt received $35,000 in State Heritage Area funds to research people interred in three City-owned cemeteries including Native Americans, successive waves of European settlers dating back to the early 1700s, the enslaved, small farmers, Revolutionary War heroes, and tenants of all kinds.
The next funding cycle for State Heritage Area grants will open in December 2024 for projects planned to start in July 2025.
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While the travel agent on the screen looked and sounded like a video game character, it asked and answered travel booking questions with a near-human speed. With the power of generative artificial intelligence (AI), the Zeno computer travel agent from tech company Serko talked me through relevant hotel suggestions for an upcoming trip. I witnessed this demonstration of a live tool Wednesday at the Global Business Travel Association conference in Atlanta. It was one of many examples I saw of how innovations in generative AI are impacting corporate travel. The whole travel tech stack is getting the AI treatment — messaging, policy compliance, expense reports, and even rebooking during disruptions.
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National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Grants Available
The National Park Service has announced $500,000 in National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom (NTF) Grants to prospective Network to Freedom members. Current Network to Freedom Members may submit proposals for preservation and interpretative projects and all are invited to submit proposals to research and write a nomination to become a Network to Freedom member. The NTF is encouraging student engagement and special preference will be given to projects that have a direct student engagement or education component. Applications close August 19.
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Members of Congress sent a letter last week to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) voicing their concerns about how the updated airline refund policies could negatively impact travel agents. At the recommendation of the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), five members of Congress issued a letter of recommendation to DOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg regarding “concerns that the final rule requiring merchant of record travel agencies to provide a refund to the customer if the flight is cancelled or significantly changed would have significant negative consequences on small businesses that sell airline tickets.”
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Maryland Office of Tourism Offers Travel Resources for Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights
BALTIMORE, MD (July 10, 2024) – The Maryland Department of Commerce’s Office of Tourism has published a new travel guide and web content for Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights and the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The content helps travelers discover the state’s many attractions, scenic byways, outdoor recreational opportunities, and more.
“Maryland leads the way as one of America’s most diverse and welcoming destinations,” said Governor Wes Moore. “During Maryland’s Year of Civil Rights, I encourage everyone to visit these Civil Rights sites to learn more about the places where courageous souls made history.”
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A new art gallery and studio in Mount Rainier is showcasing local artists as well as teaching the arts.
Located at 3510 Rhode Island Ave., inside a renovated historic building, Station 3510 exhibits local art while also offering community workshops and teaching various art classes.
At one recent event, held in conjunction with New Brooklyn Farms and Diaspora Honey, kids aged 5 to 14 looked at real bees in a glass observation beehive, sampled honey and then made bee-inspired paintings. Another event slated for Sunday will feature paper weaving.
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Join the Anacostia Trails Heritage Area on a new walking tour focusing on public artworks in Historic Downtown Hyattsville.
The tour, led by Tantara Person, features a variety of artworks commissioned by nonprofit organizations, private businesses, and local government initiatives. The tour begins at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, one of the major art centers in The Gateway Arts District. It is home to ATHA’s Heritage Center and serves as an origin point to connect visitors and residents to the cultural, historic, and cultural resources that make Historic Hyattsville and The Gateway Arts District a unique destination to see, play, dine, learn, and to take tons of great selfies!
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Get ready for the ultimate sunflower festival just a short drive from Washington, DC, in Upper Marlboro! Explore our 4 acres of vibrant sunflower fields, snap the perfect photo ops, tasty treats, and enjoy a variety of fun farm attractions.
Join us for an unforgettable day in the sun!
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Guided Tours on Saturdays, July 20 and August 17, 2:30-3:30pm. See the interior of this 1780s house and learn about all who lived here, both free and enslaved.
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Award-winning Tacos & Tequila Music Fest is coming to Bowie! Get ready for a night of incredible music throwbacks, great food, and, of course, Lots of Tequila!
The award-winning Tacos & Tequila Music Fest will celebrate local food, vendors, throwbacks, and of course, lots of tequila.
Featuring a star-studded lineup of performers from the I Love The 90’s Tour, the evening will be headlined by Grammy-nominated rapper and actor Vanilla Ice.
Also set to perform on October 5 is Treach from Naughty by Nature, Rob Base, Kid ‘N Play, All-4-One, Tone Loc, Color Me Badd and Young MC.
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Join us every Sunday evening from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend for a concert at Allen Pond Park. Concerts are free. They begin at 6 p.m. and last two hours, except for Military Band performances which last one hour.
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Join Mema’s Popups & Events for their monthly Small Business Vendor Markets happening May through November in the parking lot across from the Food Truck Plaza. Don't miss out on the chance to discover unique products from local businesses and support your community! Plus, there will be a live DJ spinning awesome tunes and exciting free raffles at 12 PM and 2 PM during each event.
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BRENCORE Entertainment and the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts present “A Summer All White Affair” featuring the BRENCORE ALLSTARS at the Bowie Center for the Performing Arts. Come and enjoy a Musical Tribute to some of the great artists such as the O’JAYS, Jill Scott, CAMEO, Barkays, OHIO Players, GAP Band, ZAPP and more. We will have a good time performing hit after hit songs, so get your best all white attire ready and lets have a great time. Spread the word as we come to party all night long.
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Brentwood Arts Exchange, part of M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation in Prince George’s County, is proud to announce The Summer Concert Series, hosted in partnership with The Town of Brentwood. This free concert series features three individual performances every second Saturday of July, August and September. Jess Eliot and the Honky Tonk Anti-Heroes is coming to Brentwood as the second performance of The Summer Concert Series. The band is known for their creative re-arrangements honoring classic country’s greatest artists, including Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Dolly Parton and Charley Pride.
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Launched as Trio Fest Wine Jerk & Curry Festival on August 28, 2021, at the Frederick Fairgrounds, Trio Fest quickly gained popularity, enjoying two successful years at the venue in Frederick Maryland. In 2023, the RHU Events Team rebranded and relocated the festival to the Town of Poolesville in Montgomery County, MD, renaming it Trinity Fest. This highly anticipated summer event draws patrons from the DMV and along the East Coast USA. Welcoming all ages. Trinity Fest is a fun-filled, family-friendly festival celebrating Caribbean culture through arts, food, and music. In 2024, Trinity Fest will be at the Laurel Golf Center, 9801 Ft. Meade Rd. Laurel MD
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A popular Mexican restaurant in the Berwyn neighborhood of College Park has expanded. Tacos a la Madre, which opened a sit-down restaurant on Berwyn Road in 2021 and is a favorite in the Hyattsville Wire reader poll, has added a second location in Beltsville. The new location is at 11623 Beltsville Dr., not far from Interstate 95 in the Calverton area. Chief Operating Officer Herson Romero told the Hyattsville Wire that they were impressed by the revitalization of the area and the potential for growth.
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PressBox and the Maryland Sports Commission are teaming up for a monthly look at the business of sports tourism, hosted by PressBox publisher Stan Charles and Terry Hasseltine, STS, president of the Sport and Entertainment Corporation of Maryland and executive director of the Maryland Sports Commission.
In this episode, Stan Charles talks with Terry Hasseltine about the Maryland Sports Commission’s role in this summer’s international soccer matches in Annapolis and Baltimore, and they talk with Leslie Graves, president and CEO of Experience Prince George’s, about the impact of sports tourism on the county.
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This is the end of the summer events for ages 10-17.
1st 100 teens will receive authentic leis. We will have a Polynesian scavenger hunt; teens will receive prizes for completing the hunt. Bring your own chairs and enjoy the Performances by MotiveNows, MacyMace and a special performance by Young Stars!! Special Mocktails by our very own Bartender!! Activities include: Rockwall, gaming truck, sand crafts, arm and face tattoos, and more... Learn how to hula, and make your own hula skirts. Enjoy sitting in a tee pee while cozying up near the bonfire. Register for our basketball tournament. Hungry? We got you !! When registering on Parks Direct please use event code NRLS-SPEC-GA-20240816
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Guided Home of the Black-Eyed Susan Horse Show Series
The BEST Hunter Jumper Horse Shows in Maryland!
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Prince George's Stadium welcomes, The NLLHOF for this Annual event, an exciting baseball game! The players are from local Tri-State ball clubs, the Independent league, High School students 18 years old rewired, including collegiate players. The Game is 7 innings begins at 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. The "First Pitch" ceremony includes Negro League players, local leaders and national notables ... usually 9 participants. The auto showcase is featured in the east parking lot facing the stadium entrance which is secured from vehicles movements and Metro Vettes Club. Tickets are free to the public.
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"Shaping the Future of Tennis," the panel is open to coaches and parents and will explore the future of college tennis, junior tennis, and tennis media.
Dates: August 21, 2024
Location: Junior Tennis Champions Center (JTCC)
Time: 5:00 PM
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Join Tanger National Harbor in the Food Truck Plaza for a special celebration to honor and support our hometown athlete, Jahmal "Hard Rock" Harvey, as he returns from the summer games. Jahmal, a gold medalist at the 2021 Elite World Championships, has made our community proud with his outstanding achievements in boxing.
Fans of all ages will enjoy a variety of activities, inspiring speeches, and a unique opportunity to meet Jahmal and his team. Come together with friends in the Oxon Hill community and beyond to celebrate Jahmal's return and his incredible journey.
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Dates: 8/31/2024, 9/1/2024
Location: Liberty Sports Park
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The Arts & Cultural Heritage Division of the Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County is proud to announce the return of the Fairwood Community Park Summer Performance Series and Music Festival for 2024. This summer tradition, established over a decade ago as the Fairwood Arts Festival, is now an annual series and has grown into one of the most anticipated performing arts events in Prince George’s County. This year’s festival features Deborah Bond, The Exclusives, 8 Ohms Band, and Spur of the Moment.
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The Laurel Farmers’ Market aims to improve the health of our community by offering a place where local farmers and producers can come together to sell fresh produce and other products directly to residents and visitors. We want to support local farming and encourage healthy living. Come to the Laurel Farmers’ Market to enjoy the best fruits, vegetables, and goods from our local growers and makers while helping our community stay healthy and strong.
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