Christmas in July

Together With

Hello Friends—

Welcome to the 164 new subscribers who joined since last week’s edition. Happy to have you in our (growing) community!

Free stuff alert: Sheetz opens in Bel Air today and is offering free self-serve coffee and soda for the entire grand opening day. Grand opening is at 9AM. Ribbon cutting is at 10:45AM. And they’re giving away a $2,500 Sheetz gift card to one lucky winner.

It’s Christmas in July in Downtown Bel Air and plenty of businesses are participating with their own deals!

Scroll down, make plans, and enjoy your weekend!

P.S. In case you missed it last week, I launched: belairmdrestaurants.com — a new directory with 150+ Bel Air & surrounding area restaurants. And I would love your feedback! If you’ve had a chance to use it, tell me what you think here.

You can search by cuisine, location, and more. And it’s totally free (just login to the site with your email when prompted). Hope you enjoy!

Together With Celebree School

Come see the Celebree difference at our Preschool Open House this August!

Choosing the right care and education for your child is a big decision, and we want to help make it easier. Join us for our August Open House Week at Celebree School happening Monday, August 4 to Friday, August 8.

At Celebree School, we’re more than just child care. We’re a true early childhood education school where every child is seen, supported, and celebrated. This is your chance to see what makes our programs and our people so special.

What to Expect During Your Visit:

• Personalized Tours of our classrooms, learning centers, and outdoor spaces

• Teacher Meet & Greets with our warm, experienced, and certified educators

• Live Learning Demonstrations showcasing our hands-on curriculum

• Q&A Time to ask about safety, nutrition, enrollment, and more

• Family Connections with current Celebree families and staff

Spots for fall are filling quickly, so don’t wait. Open House week is the perfect time to explore our values-driven, high-quality programs and secure your child’s spot for fall or sign up for our waitlist!

Things To Do This Weekend In Bel Air & Surrounding Areas

Family Fun

🪴 Rare & Rooted Fest
📅 Saturday, July 26th | 10AM–5PM
📍 Twisted Roots, 37 N Main St Suite 102, Bel Air
Twisted Roots is celebrating two years in style with their first-ever Rare & Rooted Festival—a plant-lover’s paradise packed with rare finds, hands-on DIY bars, and over 25 artisan vendors. Expect terrariums, carnivorous bog gardens, giveaways, raffles, and a massive rare plant drop—plus bites from 410 Empanadas and surprises throughout the day.

🚜 Harford County Farm Fair
📅 Now through July 26th
📍 Harford County Equestrian Center, 608 N. Tollgate Road, Bel Air
The 2025 Harford County Farm Fair returns with live music, local food, and unique vendors. Bring the whole family to meet the animals, take in the sights, and celebrate Harford County’s agricultural roots.

🎅 Christmas in July @ Downtown Bel Air
📅 Saturday, July 26th | All day during business hours
📍 Downtown Bel Air
Downtown Bel Air businesses are decking the halls early with a “Christmas in July” celebration—think ugly sweaters, festive decor, and holiday specials across shops, restaurants, and pubs. Swing by anytime during the day, snap a festive outfit, browse local boutiques, and enjoy flavor-filled deals. Check out the list of participating businesses and their deals…

💍 5th Annual Wedding Expo @ The Liriodendron
📅 Sunday, July 27th | 12–3 PM
📍 The Liriodendron Mansion, 502 W Gordon St, Bel Air
Planning a wedding? Like to just check out wedding venues like my mother-in-law? Tour the stunning historic Liriodendron Mansion and meet top local vendors—from florists and photographers to bakers, DJs, and more. Enjoy tastings, demos, and inspiration in every room of this one-of-a-kind venue.

Food & Drink

🤠 Country Day & Pop-Up Hat Bar @ Slate Farm Brewery
📅 Friday, July 25th | 5-10PM
📍 Slate Farm Brewery, 2128 Whiteford Rd, Whiteford
Grab a brew, throw on a custom hat, and kick back to country tunes at Slate Farm Brewery. The Salty Cowgirls will be onsite with their pop-up western & trucker hat bar—perfect for adding a little flair to your beer garden style.

🍦 Fundraiser at Bruster’s (for The Hero Rescue)
📅 Friday, July 25th | 5-8PM
📍 Bruster’s of Bel Air, 2943 Emmorton Rd, Abingdon
Treat yourself and help local animals in need—just mention The Hero Rescue when you grab your ice cream and a portion of your purchase goes toward saving dogs and cats. Simple, sweet, and for a great cause.

🍓 Bel Air Farmers Market
📅 Saturday, July 26th | 8 AM–12 PM
📍 2 South Bond St, Bel Air
8AM: Fiore Vineyard & Independent Brewing Co… 9AM: Jules Riser, Live Music Guest… Shop fresh local produce, breads, meats, and crafts.

🧺 Havre de Grace Farmers Market
📅 Saturday, July 26th | 8:30AM–12 PM
📍 700 Pennington Ave, Havre de Grace
Support local vendors and pick up artisan eats and goods.

🥐 Pastry Pop-Up @ J’s Farm Market
📅 Sunday, July 27th | 11AM–3PM
📍 J’s Farm Market, 2115 Waverly Dr, Bel Air
J’s Farm Market is bringing back their monthly pastry pop-up with fresh French-inspired treats from Pepper’s Bakery—think flaky croissants, pain au chocolat, and savory bacon, egg & cheese danishes. Pair it with iced tea, grab a seat outside, and soak in the chill farmhouse vibes.

Music & Entertainment

🎶 Friendship Park Benefit Concert w/ The Mahoney Brothers & Spike & Friends
📅 Saturday, July 26th | 12PM–7PM
📍 Friendship Park, 3520 Woodsdale Road, Abingdon
Kick off your weekend with live music featuring The Mahoney Brothers and Spike & Friends, food trucks, beer, wine, and a vibrant community atmosphere—all in support of Harford Family House. This festival-style benefit runs through the afternoon into early evening and packs serious local flavor and purpose.

NEVER NEVER @ Fallston Barrel House
📅 Saturday, July 26th | 7-11PM
📍 Fallston Barrel House, 2403 Bel Air Rd, Fallston

Tripwire @ North Bay Marina
📅 Sunday, July 27th | 3PM
📍 North Bay Marina, 510 Riviera Drive, Joppa

Tony Lardieri @ Earth Wood Fire Fallston
📅 Sunday, July 27th | 3:30PM
📍 Earth Wood Fire Fallston, 214 Mountain Rd, Fallston

Acoustically Sound @ Hopkins Farm Brewery
📅 Sunday, July 27th | 3:30PM
📍 Hopkins Farm Brewery, 3833 Rider Lane, Havre de Grace

🎼 Summer Concert Series
📅 Sunday, July 27th | 7PM-8:15PM
📍 Shamrock Park, 39 N Hickory Ave, Bel Air
Enjoy a free concert as part of the Town of Bel Air Summer Concert Series. Bring a blanket or chair for an evening of entertainment!

For more live music on the schedule this weekend, check out the “Live Music In Harford County” facebook group…

Local News & Happenings

⛽ Sheetz Opens First Bel Air Location This Week
The long-awaited Sheetz is finally opening its first Bel Air store on Wednesday, July 24, at 601 Hoagie Drive. Expect made-to-order food, self-serve kiosks, and plenty of gas pumps—just in time for summer road trips. Read More…

🔨 HarCAR Teams Up with Habitat for Humanity
For this year’s REALTOR® Care Day, members of the Harford County Association of REALTORS® volunteered with Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna—helping with demolition and early construction on a home rehab in Aberdeen. They also donated $2,500 to support Habitat’s mission of building safe, affordable housing. Read More…

🎓 Bel Air Launches Fall Municipal Citizens Academy
The Town of Bel Air is accepting applications now for its free, eight‑week Municipal Citizens Academy starting Wednesday, Sept. 24. Open to residents 18 and over, the program offers an inside look at local government—departments, elected officials, and municipal operations. Read More…

Date Night Spot Of The Week

Mountain Branch Grill & Pub (Joppa)

📍1827 Mountain Rd, Joppa

If you love golf & simply can’t get enough of it, even after the sun goes down, Mountain Branch Grill & Pub is the spot for you. Before we get to the spectacular golf views, let’s hit on the vaulted timber ceilings, a cozy stone fireplace, and a patio that overlooks the (big reveal) golf course.

Start with the Maryland crab dip or split the cheesesteak flatbread. For mains, the filet mignon and the crab cake & lamb chop duet are both date-night winners—rich, sharable, and consistently solid. Sides like grilled asparagus and mashed sweet potatoes round it out.

The drinks menu holds its own—classic cocktails, local beers, and a wine list with some decent surprises. Service is laid-back but attentive, and the whole place has that relaxed upscale energy that just works.

P.S. They’ve got live music (how could they not) on select nights and a fireplace table if you’re looking to up the cozy factor. Worth reserving ahead.

Click here to explore their menu & make a reservation!

Bel Air Bulletin

Want to spotlight your business to 2,700+ locals? Whether it's a new service, a project you're proud of, a recent hire, or just something worth sharing—we’d love to feature it.

☕ The Screaming Bean is a local business committed to making a difference where it matters most, always donating a percentage of its monthly profits to local charities that serve veterans, families in need, and underserved residents of Harford County. Every cup poured supports not just a customer, but a cause—proving that great coffee can build a stronger community. We also provide catering. Located at 3700 Churchville Road in Aberdeen, Maryland. ScreamingBeanCafe.com, 443-286-6821. Click here to download the Scream Bean mobile app.

🏡 Black Oak Title – Local Experts, Smooth Closings
Based in Bel Air, Black Oak Title is a locally-owned, attorney-led title company that makes home buying and refinancing feel easy. Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, their team delivers fast, accurate, stress-free settlements across Maryland. Trusted by top agents and lenders. Learn more at blackoaktitle.com.

💆‍♀️ Siwi Spa – Bel Air’s Head Spa & Relaxation Sanctuary
Local, women-owned, and built for true stress relief. Siwi Spa specializes in Japanese-style head spa treatments that promote hair growth, improve sleep, and ease tension through deep scalp massage, hot towel therapy, aromatherapy, and shampooing. Services also include facials, foot reflexology, body scrubs, and more. Open daily—book now at siwispa.com. 

Real Estate Corner

P.S. I’m looking for a realtor in the area to partner with on this section. Is that you? Know anyone who might be interested? Shoot me an email!

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