Tiki Bar Weekend, a Noon Bar Crawl & Leprechaun Lilly's

Good Morning St. Mary’s 👋.

Grab your sunglasses. We’re hitting 87 degrees this week, which means waterfront season just showed up three months early. Sunglasses required. Hydration mandatory.

In today's Insider:

Let's get into it.

Got a shot that feels like St. Mary’s? Reply to this email and send it in. It might land here next week.

Ryken just hosted the biggest Special Olympics Spring Games our county has ever seen with nearly 200 athletes on the field. It took 300 student escorts to pull off a logistical lift that size, and the community definitely showed up to make it happen.

High school girls flag football is finally official. Every public high school in the county starts the program this fall with gear and uniforms backed by the Baltimore Ravens. All 14 schools in the conference are in, so we’re finally catching up with Charles and Calvert.

The Great Mills Swimming Pool is wrapping up county Recreation & Parks operations at the end of April and transitioning to management under the new St. Mary's County Family YMCA this summer.

If you want to see an insider sneak peak of the inside of the new YMCA, check out this video. They were kind enough to invite me out for an early look.

Friday–Sunday, April 17-19 | Solomons Waterfront

The Tiki Bar is 46 years old and people are already planning their entire weekend around the Solomons waterfront. The Flamels are playing their first show since 2016 on Saturday, with the Marley Bros also on the weekend lineup. Check Eventbrite for daily tickets before you head over the bridge, and bring water, because 80+ degrees in April is no joke.

This week’s Insider Spotlight is brought to you by Lower Notley Hall Farm.

The reception barn at Lower Notley Hall Farm was built by Amish craftsmen and overlooks the Wicomico river. You feel it the second you walk in. Quiet, open, and different from every cookie-cutter venue around here.

Next door, for the ceremony and the wedding party to use, is a 19th-century manor house tied to Maryland's earliest history. Bald eagles and osprey fly overhead regularly. Not the brochure version. The real thing.

Leprechaun Lilly’s Kids Consignment | Thu–Sun | Fairgrounds, Leonardtown - This massive sale at the Fairgrounds is free to enter and loaded with deals on kids’ clothes and gear. It has a huge following on Facebook, so expect it to be busy while you hunt for gems.

The Beanery Block Party | Fri, Apr 17 | 4–6 PM | California - The Beanery is celebrating three years with an outdoor party on Friday afternoon. It’s a low-key, free event that’s perfect for kicking off the weekend with the community.

Spring Festival at St. Clair West | Sat, Apr 18 | 10 AM | Avenue - Avenue doesn’t usually make the weekend list, but this outdoor festival features local vendors and live music right by the water. It’s a great excuse to head down to the Seventh District and see what’s new.

Mystery Movie Monday | Every Monday | RC Lexington Exchange, California - Though not a weekend event, for $5, you get to see a movie that stays a secret until the opening credits roll. You’ll know the rating and the runtime ahead of time, but the surprise is half the fun.

April Showers Pet Wash | Sat, Apr 18 | 12–3 PM | Balanced Paws, Leonardtown - Bring your dog to Leonardtown for a bath and ear cleaning while you run your Saturday errands. It’s a donate-what-you-can event, and they handle everything on a walk-in basis. 🐾

Fido & Friends Shave Down | Sun, Apr 19 | 12–3 PM | Well Pet Clinic, Lexington Park - This event provides grooming for dogs whose owners might be struggling with the cost of regular maintenance. Just walk in with your pup between noon and 3 PM – no reservation required.

Otter Trot 5K | Sat, Apr 18 | 8 AM | Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons | This timed 5K starts right on the Solomons waterfront and is totally open to runners, walkers, and strollers. All the registration money goes directly to supporting the museum. 🦦

Family Skate | Sun, Apr 19 | 2–5 PM | Leonard Hall, Leonardtown - Sunday skating is back for five bucks a person, and it’s open to anyone regardless of skill level. You can pay at the door or grab a spot online if you want to skip the line.

Cherry Blossom Sip & Paint | Sat, Apr 18 | 6 PM | Port of Leonardtown Winery - This is a guided class that covers all your supplies and includes a glass of wine to get the creative juices flowing. It’s a solid Saturday plan that doesn’t require you to book a month in advance.

Music of the American Revolution | Fri, Apr 17 | 7 PM (doors 6 PM) | Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons | Period musicians in full 18th-century gear are performing at the Harms Gallery for a pretty unique vibe. If you’re already heading to Solomons for the Tiki Bar opening, this is a great way to balance out the evening.

Ride the Cyclone | Fri–Sun, Apr 17-19 | 8 PM nightly, plus Sun Apr 20 matinee at 2 PM | SMCM, St. Mary’s City -This dark comedy musical follows a high school choir that meets their end on a roller coaster. It’s only $10 a ticket and definitely wins the award for the most interesting premise of the weekend.

Sourdough Workshop | Fri, Apr 17 | 5–9 PM | The Beanery, Rd, Solomons | - This is a hands-on baking class where you’ll learn the ropes of sourdough and take home your own supplies. A portion of your ticket supports Friends of Felines, so you’re helping local cats while you learn a new skill. 🍞

SMCM Jazz Combo Concert | Thu, Apr 16 | 7–9 PM | Dodge Performing Arts Center, St. Mary’s City - A live jazz set featuring student musicians in a small recital hall setting. It’s free and open to the public, an easy, low-key way to start the weekend with something different.

Barmuda Triangle Spring Bar Crawl | Fri, Apr 17 | Starts Noon | Leonardtown Square - This crawl runs from noon until last call, hitting spots like Social Coffeehouse, The Rex and Olde Town Pub. Get the cups from all 3 and you’ve earned yourself a Barmuda Triangle T-shirt. Over 600 people are already confirmed on Facebook, so expect a packed house in the Square all day. 🍺

Tapped Out Comedy Showcase | Fri, Apr 17 | 8 PM | The Brass Tap, California - Outlaw Comedy is bringing a live stand-up set to the Brass Tap this Friday night. It’s a great $20 alternative if you want a night out without heading into the Leonardtown crawl crowd.

Fleetwood Mac Tribute | Sat, Apr 18 | 7 PM | Bugeye Grill, Solomons | - The Bugeye Grill is hosting a tribute show right on the Solomons waterfront Saturday evening.

DJ Ghost at The Rex | Sat, Apr 18 | 9 PM | Leonardtown | 21+ - DJ Ghost is taking over the theater at 9 PM on Saturday for the 21+ crowd.

Ladies Night: Boy Band Style | Sat, Apr 18 | 7 PM | Taphouse 1637, California - Taphouse is leaning into the 2000s nostalgia with a boy band-themed night starting at 7 PM. If your crew is ready to go all-in on the nostalgia, this is where you need to be. 💃

The Reagan Years | Sun, Apr 19 | 5 PM | Tiki Bar, Solomons - This is the official closing set for the Tiki Bar’s opening weekend on Sunday evening. It’s the perfect way to finish the weekend on the water before Monday rolls around.

Historic Sotterley | Hollywood, MD

Most locals think Sotterley is locked up until May, but the 100-acre grounds are actually free and open year-round during daylight hours. You get six miles of trails, a view from the Patuxent River bluff, and the exterior of an 1830s slave cabin that is the only surviving original structure of its kind in the entire region. The catch is that the visitor center and the main house stay closed until May 1, so this is strictly a DIY outdoor trip until then.

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That’s your Insider for this week.

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See you next Tuesday. ✌️

- Michael Cole