Good Morning St. Mary's 👋.
Did you know that right now, North America is currently hosting the largest FIFA World Cup in history? But while the rest of the planet is glued to the soccer pitch, St. Mary’s County will be looking to the skies on this during its own absolute blockbuster of a week.
Let's get into it.
📊The Insiders Have Spoken
Last week’s pizza showdown was an absolute clash of the titans, but the local pie hierarchy has officially been declared. According to all of you, Nicolletti's Pizza took the crown, capturing a commanding 42% of the total.
It wasn't a total runaway victory, though…The Slice House put up a massive fight, finishing a close second.
Next up, the caffeine fix… Let’s show our local coffee shops some love.
☕️ Where do you go when you need high-quality coffee that didn’t come from a national chain?
🏡 Around the County
The Brand New "Air Show Passport" Just Dropped: This digital guide unlocks exclusive discounts and menu promos at dozens of local businesses if you show the passport or your air show ticket.
New Toy Store Alert in Mechanicsville: Three Notch Toys is opening later this month in Mechanicsville, focusing on toys, collectibles, gifts, and independent brands. Reminds me of the good old days. Ahh, Toys R Us…
Holiday Closures: St. Mary's County offices and all library branches will be closed this Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.
Early Voting Ends Thursday: The final three days of early voting for Maryland's 2026 gubernatorial primary run Tuesday through Thursday, June 16–18, from 7 AM to 8 PM. Election Day is Tuesday, June 23, for everyone who prefers deadlines with a little more pressure.
⭐ The Top Pick
Saturday, June 20 & Sunday, June 21 | NAS Patuxent River
If you've never been to a Pax River Air Show, put this one on your list.
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels return to NAS Patuxent River for a weekend of high-speed demonstrations, military aircraft, and plenty of opportunities to explore some of the aviation history and technology right here in our backyard.
NAS Patuxent River is a major part of what makes St. Mary's County unique, and the air show is one of the few times the public gets a chance to step onto the installation and experience it firsthand.
Admission is completely free, although reserved seating upgrades are available online.
Expect large crowds, arrive early, and don't forget the sunscreen.
👉 Check out the Quick-Start Guide for everything you need to know before heading out.
🍔Insider Spotlight
Fitzie’s is one of those places you don’t just randomly stumble onto. You take the drive down Joe Hazel Road, start wondering if you’re even going the right way, and then it opens up to boats, water, and people already sitting there like they figured something out before you did. It’s been fully family-run for over 30 years, and it shows. Multi-generational, laid back, and exactly where you want to be when the weather’s good.
Recently voted one of the best crab cakes in St. Mary’s County by St. Mary’s Insider readers, Fitzie’s has built a loyal following over the years.
Crab cakes, crab pizza, and the Slammy D Burger if you want to go all in. Cold drinks, 23 beers on draft, and an orange crush slush that hits on a hot day. Boats are pulling in and out all afternoon, and if you’re coming by water, they’ve got 75 slips, ethanol-free gas, and a crew ready to tie you up.
There’s a sand area where kids run around while you sit by the bay, and the whole place feels more like pulling up to a friend’s spot than going out to dinner.
If you want something that actually feels like St. Mary’s and not just another place to eat, this is it.
Know a local business or hidden gem that deserves a spotlight? Give them some love and let me know.
📅 Your Weekend Calendar
🟢 Thursday, June 18
Watercolor Workshop | 9:30 AM to 12 PM @ Historic St. Mary's City. This creative history workshop uses colonial-era paintings as inspiration before participants make a piece of their own.
Cousins Maine Lobster at South Plaza | 11 AM to 7 PM @ South Plaza Shopping Center, California. Eight hours of rolls, tots, and the reminder that lunch can cost more than expected once lobster enters the conversation.
Basketball Clinic & Adult Pickup | 6 PM to 9 PM @ Real Life Church, Mechanicsville. Sports at Real Life is extending its drop-in basketball clinics into summer, followed by adult pickup games for anyone whose knees haven’t left the chat yet.
🟢 Friday, June 19 (Juneteenth)
Pax River Air Show Base Access Day | @ NAS Patuxent River. Practice day for authorized base personnel and dependents.
Father Day ½ off admission @ Historic Sotterley | 10:30 AM, 12:30 PM, & 2 PM , Hollywood. Dads get half-price admission all weekend.
Juneteenth Schoolhouse Open House | 11 AM to 2 PM @ Drayden African American Schoolhouse. Take a free, narrated tour inside this historic site. Friday and Saturday.
Juneteenth USCT Open House | 11 AM to 2 PM @ Lexington Manor Passive Park. Discover the stories of two local Medal of Honor recipients on the trail. Friday and Saturday.
USA World Cup Watch Party | 3 PM @ The Rex Theatre, Leonardtown. Cheer on Team USA on the big screen. Bring your crew and catch the action with food, drinks, and $25 beer buckets.
Pyrex Weekend & Watercolor Workshop | 6pm @ Keepin' It Local, Morganza. A vintage Pyrex sale paired with a watercolor workshop.
Guided Kayak Tour: S'more Summer Nights | 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM @ Greenwell State Park, Hollywood. The Greenwell Foundation tour includes a two-hour guided Patuxent paddle followed by drinks and s'mores.
Music on the Water with Funkzilla | 6:45 PM to 8:45 PM @ Big Kahuna Cruises, Solomons. Funkzilla takes its funk, reggae, and rock set onto the water for a Friday-night cruise.
River Concert Series Opening Night | 7 PM to 9 PM @ Townhouse Green, St. Mary's College of Maryland. Blues powerhouse Stacy Brooks opens the free series.
Mike Jones Live | 9 PM @ The Rex Theatre, Leonardtown. The Rex keeps knocking it out of the park with their lineup as a hip-hop legend arrives for a Friday night show in downtown Leonardtown.
🟢 Saturday, June 20
The Vintage Source Monthly Opening | 8 AM to 4 PM @ The Vintage Source, Compton. The iconic barn opens its doors for its monthly weekend run.
NHRA Divisional Racing at Budds Creek | Starts Saturday and continues Sunday @ Maryland International Raceway, Mechanicsville.
June Summer Sale at Rust and Grain | 9 AM Sat & 3PM Sun @ Rust and Grain, Charlotte Hall. The two-day vintage market fills the shop with furniture, antiques, and home decor.
Pax River Air Show with the Blue Angels | @ NAS Patuxent River.
Family Archery Workshop | 10 AM to 12 PM @ Historic St. Mary's City. Ages 10 and up can learn the fundamentals at the Woodland Indian Hamlet. Equipment and instruction are included.
Shell-A-Bration | 10 AM to 3 PM @ Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. National Seashell Day brings out the fossil shell collection, paleontology volunteers, crafts, and hands-on activities at the museum event.
UCAC's 22nd Annual Juneteenth Freedom Day Celebration | 12 PM to 6 PM @ St. Mary's County Fairgrounds, Leonardtown. Live music ensembles, food vendors, and community exhibits.
Glass Blowing with McFadden Glass | @ Port of Leonardtown Winery. Small groups create their own glass piece with a glass of wine included.
Blue Angels Watch Party Cruise | 3 PM @ Big Kahuna Cruises, Solomons. This ticketed cruise puts the air show overhead and the traffic on land.
Lavender Nights Summer Series | 6 PM @ Dixon Family Farm, Mechanicsville. A premium dinner directly in the blooming fields.
Hot Ice Live at Toots | 8 PM to midnight @ Toots, Hollywood. Hot Ice brings four hours of everything from rock to dance music and a food truck.
🟢 Sunday, June 21 (Father's Day)
NHRA Divisional Racing Continues | @ Maryland International Raceway, Mechanicsville. The Budd's Creek race weekend continues Sunday.
Sunday Morning Mountain-Bike Ride | 8 AM @ Salem State Forest Lot, California. Southern Maryland Mountain Bikers is opening the group ride to all levels, with a beginner and intermediate option for the first outing.
Pax River Air Show with the Blue Angels | Gates open at 9 AM, Show starts at 11 AM @ NAS Patuxent River.
Free Lighthouse Admission for Dads | 10 AM to 5 PM @ Piney Point Lighthouse Museum. Fathers get completely free admission today.
Open Deck Air Show Viewing Party | 12 PM to 4 PM @ No Thyme to Cook, Solomons. The ticketed Father's Day deck party serves up a clear view of the planes without requiring a base security line.
Father's Day Buffet | @ The Local, Hollywood. An all-you-can-eat Father's Day feast anchored by a prime rib carving station.
Father's Day Flights | @ Botanic Cafe, Leonardtown. Running a curated, dad-centric specialty drink menu.
Designing 3D Prints | 2 PM to 3:40 PM @ Lexington Park Library. Learn the foundational basics of object design using TinkerCAD.
Father's Day Cruise | 4:30 PM to 6 PM @ Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons. The Wm. B. Tennison cruise takes Dad around Solomons Harbor and the Patuxent River.
🤝Trusted Local Partners
FITZIE'S MARINA RESTAURANT & PUB
Waterfront Dining • Leonardtown
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