Maryland’s Biggest BBQ Bash Fires Up This Weekend

Together With

Hello Friends—

Welcome to the 317(!) new subscribers who joined since last week’s edition. Happy to have you in our (growing) community!

If you like good food and live music, have I got some news for you… this weekend has both!

Harford County’s most anticipated event of the year, the MD State BBQ Bash, is finally here… Three unforgettable days of live music is happening at The Ramble Festival… and Route 24 Ale House just unveiled their fall drink menu… all that and much more below.

Scroll down, make plans, and enjoy your weekend!

P.S. Thanks to everyone who voted on last week’s poll about job postings. 59% of you voted yes to adding local job listings, but a few of you weren’t fans of the idea. Totally fair. I’m not rushing it — just figuring out if there’s a version that actually helps without taking away from what makes the Brief fun to read.

Together With… Our Friends at Tar Heel Construction Group

Bel Air’s #1 Choice for Roofs, Siding, Gutters & Solar

When your home needs work, you want a contractor you can trust.

Joe Ayler and his team at the Tar Heel Construction Group have completed 1,000+ projects right here in Bel Air, built a 5.0⭐ Google reputation with over 700 reviews, and been voted Best of Harford 5 years straight.

From roof replacements to siding upgrades, gutter installs, and solar, every job is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty and their workmanship guarantee — so you know it’ll last.

P.S. Tell them “Matt from Bel Air Brief” sent you!

Things To Do This Weekend In Bel Air & Surrounding Areas

Save the dates:
Witches Night Out, Oct 16, Downtown Bel Air
Bonita Farm Fall Festival, Oct 18, Darlington

Food & Drink

🔥 Maryland State BBQ Bash (Free)
📅 Friday & Saturday, October 10th–11th | Fri 4-10PM, Sat 12-10PM
📍 Downtown Bel Air, 2 S Bond St, Bel Air
Harford County’s biggest event of the year is back! The Maryland State BBQ Bash transforms downtown Bel Air into a two-day street festival featuring over 25 competition teams battling for the state BBQ championship and a chance to compete at the Jack Daniel’s Invitational in Tennessee. Plus, 40 amateur teams face off in the Tailgate Challenge for the best ribs and chicken. Expect incredible food, live music, and family fun all weekend long — a true Bel Air tradition.

🍺 Inverness Brewing Oktoberfest (Free)
📅 October 10th–12th | 12 PM–10 PM
📍 Inverness Brewing, 16200 Markoe Rd, Monkton
Raise your stein and celebrate fall at Inverness Brewing’s three-day Oktoberfest celebration! Enjoy live music all weekend, stein-holding contests, keg tosses, costume competitions, and even a hot dog–eating showdown. Sip seasonal brews like their Festbier, cool off with cider slushies, and grab bites from Das Bierhall and Diner on the Boulevard. Plus — pumpkins, fall décor, vendors, and a hat bar by Salty Cowgirls.

🕸️ Halloween Dinner Theatre: The Secret Society of St. Julian ($)
📅 Friday & Saturday, October 10th–11th | Doors 6:30 PM | Dinner 7 PM | Show 7:30 PM
📍 Harford Vineyard & Winery, 1311 W Jarrettsville Rd, Forest Hill
Step into a world of mystery and mayhem at Harford Vineyard’s Fifth Annual Halloween Dinner Theatre. This year’s show, The Secret Society of St. Julian, invites guests to a chilling night of dinner, drinks, and dark secrets. Enjoy a gourmet meal from Alaina’s Gourmet Creations and a glass of wine or spirits while uncovering what sinister force is haunting Maryland’s bravest society.

🎉 Hopkins Farm Brewery Fiesta (Free)
📅 Saturday, October 11th | 12–9:30 PM
📍 Hopkins Farm Brewery, 3833 Rider Ln, Havre de Grace
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a day full of food, music, and culture at Hopkins Farm Brewery. Enjoy authentic eats from DMV Taqueria, Lote 787, and Level Eats, browse local craft vendors (12–5 PM), and catch live music from Joe Figueroa (5–9:30 PM). A lively, family-friendly celebration you won’t want to miss!

🥐 Pepper’s Bakery Pastry Pop-Up (Free)
📅 Sunday, October 12th | 11 AM–3 PM
📍 J’s Farm Market, 2115 Waverly Dr, Bel Air
Swing by J’s Farm Market for Pepper’s Bakery’s fall pastry pop-up, featuring handmade pastries, seasonal treats, and fresh beverages. Each event draws a crowd for good reason — everything’s baked fresh, organized, and served with a smile. Perfect Sunday stop for coffee and something sweet.

Family Fun

🎃 Harford County Sheriff’s Office Trunk or Treat (Free)
📅 Friday, October 10th | 5–8 PM
📍 Harford Community College, Lot A, 401 Thomas Run Rd, Bel Air
Bring the whole family for a spooktacular evening of decorated trunks, costumes, and candy at the Sheriff’s Office annual Faith & Blue Trunk or Treat. Free and open to all ages — come in costume, bring a bag, and get ready for some Halloween fun with the community.

🎯 11th Annual Gun Show at American Legion Post 39 ($)
📅 Friday–Sunday, October 10th–12th | Fri 5–8 PM | Sat 9 AM–5 PM | Sun 9 AM–3 PM
📍 American Legion Harford Post 39, 500 N Hickory Ave, Bel Air, MD
Support American Legion Post 39 at the 11th Annual Gun Show. The three-day fundraising event features a wide variety of vendors, displays, and collectibles, with food available for purchase all weekend. All proceeds benefit Harford Post 39 programs supporting local service members.

🎭 2nd Annual Cobra Theater Company Bingo ($)
📅 Friday, October 10th | 6–10 PM (Early Bird Game 5:45 PM)
📍 Harford Technical High School Gymnasium, 200 Thomas Run Rd, Bel Air
Join Harford Tech’s Cobra Theater Company for a fun-filled night of bingo, raffles, and prizes — all to support their upcoming theater season. Enjoy 20 rounds of bingo, Longaberger basket prizes, special games, and door prizes. Perfect for families and friends looking for a lively Friday night.

🧙‍♀️ Hocus Pocus Craft & Movie Night ($)
📅 Friday, October 10th | 7 PM
📍 Made Me Mine, 3474 Emmorton Rd, Abingdon
Kick off spooky season with a night of crafts, popcorn, and a screening of Hocus Pocus. Choose from several themed projects (starting at $20) while you watch the Sanderson sisters work their magic. Perfect for a cozy, creative night out.

🎲 FLES Costume Bingo ($)
📅 Friday, October 10th | Doors 6:30 PM | Games 7 PM
📍 Bel Air High School, 100 Heighe St, Bel Air
Grab your costumes and join Forest Lakes Elementary PTA for a night of family fun! Enjoy kid-friendly bingo games with prizes, a costume contest (spookiest, funniest, most creative), trick-or-treating, and pizza from Love Crust. Snacks, drinks, and a silent auction will also be available — cash only. A community favorite that sells out fast!

🍁 Steppingstone Fall Harvest Festival ($)
📅 Saturday, October 11th | 11 AM–4 PM
📍 Steppingstone Farm Museum, 461 Quaker Bottom Rd, Havre de Grace
Celebrate the season at Steppingstone’s annual Fall Harvest & Craft Festival! Enjoy pumpkin painting, scarecrow making, hayrides, and live music alongside 30+ craft vendors, food trucks, and historical demonstrations. Family-friendly fun with free kids’ activities all day long — the perfect way to spend a crisp autumn Saturday.

🏈 Football Field Party w/ Abingdon Fire Co ($)
📅 Sunday, October 12th | 12 PM
📍 Friendship Park, 3502B Woodsdale Rd, Abingdon
Cheer on the Ravens and support the Abingdon Fire Company at this community tailgate-style event. Enjoy beer, seltzers, and canned cocktails from the open bar, grab food from Crossroads Bistro and ice cream from Edgewood Creamery, and catch the game on the big screen. Kids and pets are welcome — and 100% of proceeds go directly to support AFC.

Music & Entertainment

🎶 The Ramble Festival ($)
📅 Friday–Sunday, October 10th–12th | Gates Open 9:30 AM Each Day
📍 Camp Ramblewood, 2564 Silver Rd, Darlington
Get ready for three unforgettable days of live music, community, and good vibes at The Ramble Festival. This Harford County favorite features performances from The California Honeydrops, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, The Infamous Stringdusters, Cris Jacobs, and more. Enjoy camping, glamping, food trucks, vendors, late-night jams, and surprise pop-up sets across 200+ scenic acres. Kids 12 & under get in free with a kids pass.

LODI @ Barrel House Live
📅 Saturday, October 11th | 3-7PM
📍 Fallston Barrel House, 2403 Bel Air Rd, Fallston

Haunted Happy Hour w/ Heighe Street
📅 Friday, October 10th | 6–9 PM
📍 Independent Brewing Company, 418 N Main St, Bel Air

Mad Decent @ Looney’s Pub
📅 Saturday, October 11th | 6–9 PM
📍 Looney’s Pub, 312 Main St, Bel Air

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

This Week in the Community…

Route 22 Hatchet House Offers Military Discount
Route 22 Hatchet House in Aberdeen is honoring active-duty military and veterans with 20% off axe throwing sessions on weekdays. Guests can simply show their military ID at checkout to receive the discount. Read more…

THB Bagelry & Deli Coming Soon to Bel Air
THB Bagelry & Deli is set to open in the new shopping center located in the Harford Mall parking lot. Known for their fresh, New York–style bagels and made-to-order breakfast sandwiches, THB has built a loyal following across Maryland. Locals can soon skip the drive and grab their favorite bagel right here in Harford County. Read more…

Hill Tech Solutions Celebrates Grand Reopening in Harford County
The Harford County Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hill Tech Solutions LLC, marking the company’s grand reopening. Hill Tech Solutions offers managed IT and cybersecurity services designed to keep local businesses secure and running smoothly. The company focuses on providing clear, customized technology solutions that help organizations operate with confidence. Read more…

Route 24 Ale House Unveils Fall & Winter Drink Menu
Route 24 Ale House has rolled out its new seasonal drink lineup featuring cozy and creative cocktails like the Maple Bourbon Sour, Pumpkin Pie Delight, and S’mores Whiskey Martini. Guests can also enjoy returning favorites like the Winter Mule and Peppermint Mocha Martini — all perfect for sipping through the colder months. Read more…

Pet Of The Week: Presented by Our Friends at Shannon’s Pretty Paws Pet Grooming

We are more than just groomers, we’re a family!

Give your pet the 5-star treatment & book a grooming session at Shannon’s Pretty Paws today. Your furry friend will thank you (and so will your furniture).

Click here to book an appointment with one of our experienced groomers!

This week’s reader submission is: Daytona

“This is Daytona. She is a Husky/Labrador. She was named so as we are NASCAR fans, but she certainly lives up to her name as she turns with pin point precision as she zooms around the house or yard.”

Have a furry, feathered, or scaly friend you’re proud of? Send a photo and a few fun facts, and we might feature them in an upcoming issue. It’s a fun way to share smiles with the community and discover local pet resources along the way.

Real Estate Corner

Each week, this spot could connect you with a trusted local realtor—someone who knows the market, shares insights, and keeps you in the loop on what’s happening in our neighborhoods. If you’re a realtor (or know one) who is looking to expand their local visibility, email me here.

Date Spot Of The Week

Venetian Italian Eatery (Edgewood)

📍 1901 Tree Top Dr, Edgewood, MD 21040

This week we’re going classic at Venetian Italian Eatery — cozy booth vibes, generous portions, and all the Italian comfort hits. Think house-made sauces, red-sauce favorites, seafood specials, and pastas built for sharing. It’s the kind of spot where you slow down over bread, a solid entrée, and a lingering dessert.

Pro Tip: Weekends fill up — go early or grab a reservation to skip the wait.

👉 Check the menu & details: https://www.venetianeatery.com/menus/

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