Good Morning St. Mary's 👋
In case you missed it and saw people standing in the Target parking lot staring at the sky last weekend, the Blue Angels were in town. Hopefully you caught their incredible show from the base, Solomons, or while getting your groceries, because it was an impressive sight.
And the County keeps moving as we roll into another packed weekend.
Let's get into it.
📊 The Insiders Have Spoken
Last week’s coffee showdown brewed up plenty of opinions, but one local favorite rose to the top.
According to all of you, The Beanery claimed the crown, earning 32% of the vote and securing bragging rights as St. Mary’s favorite local coffee shop.
Now let's trade coffee cups for waterfront views...
🌅 Where is the best place to watch a sunset in St. Mary's County?
🏡 Around the County
Three Notch Toys Grand Opening Is Saturday: The new Mechanicsville toy store is officially opening Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM at 38592 Brett Way, Unit B. St. Mary's has had a toy-store gap for a while, and apparently someone finally got tired of pretending the toy aisle at Target was enough.
Sushi & Seafood House Opens In Lexington Park: Lexington Park has a new seafood spot next to Regency Furniture, with lots on the menu and a grand opening free drink special for new customers who buy a seafood combo.
Resale Rodeo Opens Sunday In Mechanicsville: The new thrift, consignment, and boutique shop is holding its grand opening Sunday from noon to 6 PM at 29025 B Three Notch Road. The bargain hunters are already circling this one
New Concessions At Chancellor's Run: Food and drinks are now available from a new quick-service concession stand inside the Hall of Fame Building at Chancellor's Run Regional Park. Good news for tournament families who forgot snacks and are now negotiating with a seven-year-old in cleats.
Boys & Girls Club Coming To Carver Recreation Center: The Boys & Girls Club of Southern Maryland is set to launch an after-school program at Carver Recreation Center in Lexington Park on August 1, with room to serve up to 100 youth at first and more over time.
Kona Ice Is Winding Down Locally: Kona Ice of St. Mary's County says it will close local operations at the end of the summer season. If your school fundraiser, sports league, or outdoor event has leaned on that truck, start your alternate plans now.
Lexington Park Library Makerspace Opens Tuesday: The library is cutting the ribbon on a new makerspace June 23 at 1 PM, bringing tools like 3D printers, a laser cutter, poster printer, vinyl cutter, sublimation setup, and pottery wheels. Basically, the library card just got a lot more dangerous, but in a good way.
⭐ The Top Pick
Saturday, June 27 | 11 AM to 4 PM | St. Mary's Square Shopping Center, Lexington Park
This is the best full-family, no-ticket-required plan of the weekend.
The Lexington Park Business Association and St. Mary's County Arts Council are bringing cultural performances, international food, crafts, kids' games, and live demonstrations to St. Mary's Square.
The lineup includes Bolivian dance, Bollywood, Piscataway singers and dancers, Footworks Percussive Dance, Latin dance, and Ms. Story's Living History on St. Mary's stuffed ham.
That is a very Southern Maryland sentence, in the best way.
Go hungry and bring the kids.
🍽️ Any Foodies Out There?
A while back, I asked what you wanted more of in the Insider. A lot of you said local food, which is both helpful and extremely on brand for this county.
So I’m trying something new: Insider Eats.
The idea is simple. I go to a local spot, pay my own bill, and write up what the experience was actually like and how the food tasted. No stars, no rating numbers, no payments from the restaurants. Just whether it is worth your time.
The first one is La Vida Mexican Bar & Grill. I left feeling like that spot finally got the reset it needed.
📅 Your Weekend Calendar
🟢 Thursday, June 25
America's 250th Presentation: George Plater III with Dave Brown | 7 PM to 8:30 PM @ Historic Sotterley, Hollywood. A free local history program on Maryland's sixth governor, with an optional $20 wine tasting if you want your early American history with a pour.
🟢 Friday, June 26
Kids Cupcake Decorating Class | 1 PM to 3 PM @ Kneaded Baking Co., Leonardtown. Kids decorate cupcakes at the new bakery on the Square.
Friday Summer Skate | 1 PM to 4 PM @ Leonard Hall Recreation Center, Leonardtown. Flashback Friday kicks off the county's summer skate series. Admission is $5, skate rental is $2.50, and the air conditioning is putting in work.
Paws & Popcorn: Sing 2 | 6 PM to 8 PM @ Meow Dyer Cat Cafe, Leonardtown. Watch a movie surrounded by adoptable cats. The cats may or may not respect assigned seating.
Line Dancing at Port of Leonardtown Winery | 6:15 PM to 8 PM @ Port of Leonardtown Winery. An instructor-led line dancing night with open dancing between lessons.
River Concert Series: From Broadway to Hollywood | 7 PM to 9 PM @ SMCM Townhouse Green, St. Mary's City. Free outdoor music on the college lawn, with grounds opening at 5:30 PM. Bring chairs or blankets.
Waka Flocka Flame: One Last Show | 8 PM to 11 PM @ The Rex Theatre, Leonardtown. The Soulja Boy makeup show became Waka Flocka at The Rex. Grab your tickets while you can.
🟢 Saturday, June 27
Equipment Auction | 8 AM @ 38250 New Market Turner Road, Mechanicsville. Hayes Auction Services is bringing out skid steers, golf carts, implements, and other large equipment. It may be time to get that front end loader you’ve been eyeballing…
LEXBA Market Days | 9 AM to 4 PM @ Pax River Village Center, Lexington Park. Local vendors set up along Great Mills Road before and during the bigger Community, Culture & Cuisine push.
Three Notch Toys Grand Opening | 10 AM to 4 PM @ Three Notch Toys, Mechanicsville. The new toy store opens with toys, collectibles, and the possibility of adults buying "for the kids".
Beginner Saturday Free Skate Clinic | 10 AM to 11 AM @ Nicolet Skatepark, Lexington Park. SOMD Skateboard Association and Little Whale Skate Shop are hosting a free beginner clinic.
Community, Culture & Cuisine | 11 AM to 4 PM @ St. Mary's Square Shopping Center, Lexington Park. Food, performances, cultural exhibits, and kids' activities make this one of the strongest free family plans of the weekend.
Blueberry Festival at Barefoot Farms | 11 AM to 6 PM @ Barefoot Farms, Avenue. U-pick blueberries, food trucks, vendors, and live music. Expect a big crowd for this one, so plan accordingly.
Summer Smash Bash: Bounce & Blast | 2 PM to 4 PM @ Navy Recreation Center Solomons. NRC Solomons is running its summer bounce-and-water family event.
Jazz & Wine Music Series | 6 PM to 8 PM @ Corteau Vineyards, Mechanicsville. Get a nice glass, listen to some jams and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Anthony Bourdain: Cooking Without Borders | 6 PM to 9 PM @ No Thyme to Cook, Solomons. A cooking class inspired by Bourdain's global curiosity and appetite.
🟢 Sunday, June 28
Sunrise Sunday Yoga | 7:30 AM to 8:30 AM @ Leonardtown Wharf. Outdoor, all-levels yoga by the water for people who can function before breakfast. Respect.
Cars & Coffee Car Show | 10 AM to 2 PM @ Town Market, Leonardtown. Cars, music, cornhole, door prizes, and a 50/50 raffle at the Bell Building on Washington Street.
Southern Maryland Tesla Takeover | 10:30 AM @ The Slice House, then 1 PM @ Port of Leonardtown Winery. Tesla owners meet for lunch, convoy to the winery, and end with Korean BBQ and live acoustic music. If you can’t find them, just look for the row of cars making absolutely no noise.
Resale Rodeo Grand Opening | 12 PM to 6 PM @ 29025 B Three Notch Road, Mechanicsville. The new thrift, consignment, and boutique shop opens with giveaways and plenty of local bargain-hunter energy.
Family Skate Sunday | 2 PM to 5 PM @ Leonard Hall Recreation Center, Leonardtown. Low-cost Sunday skating for anyone who needs to burn energy indoors before Monday.
Dinner & A Cruise: A Conversation With Julia King | 4 PM to 8 PM @ St. Clement's Island Museum, Colton's Point. A Potomac cruise, local history, and seafood dinner.
🤝Trusted Local Partners
FITZIE'S MARINA RESTAURANT & PUB
Waterfront Dining • Leonardtown
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That’s your Insider for this week.
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See you next Tuesday. ✌️
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