Retired Fallston Couple Scores $150K Scratch-Off Win

Hello Friends—

Welcome to the 78 new subscribers who joined since last week’s edition. Happy to have you in our (growing) community!

Football season is here and the weekend happening around the area are on the lighter side after the holiday weekend. Fall is just around the corner, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at the inside of my house. My wife has gone “full fall” and the decor has changed over faster than you can say “HGTV”.

First Friday is back in the heart of Bel Air… Sandwich Stock 2025 at Vagabond Sandwich Company returns for its 9th year… and Looney’s Pub is celebrating 23 years with an all day power hour!

Oh, and ANOTHER Harford County resident won big on a scratch-off… I’m as speechless as you are.

Scroll down, make plans, and enjoy your weekend!

Community Pulse

P.S. We’re talking with a local pro who designs holiday light displays (starting at $1,000+). Would you ever hire out for that kind of wow-factor? Reply to this email or leave a comment when you vote.

Things To Do This Weekend In Bel Air & Surrounding Areas

Food & Drink

🎉 Bel Air First Friday
📅 Friday, September 5th | 5–8PM
📍 Downtown Bel Air, 119 S Main St, Bel Air
Bel Air’s biggest block party takes over Main Street with live music from The Juke, a lineup of food trucks including Das Bierhalle, Vagabond Sandwich Company, Love Crust Pizza, Fire & Ice Delights, and Kona Ice, plus artisan vendors, a beer & wine garden, and kids’ activities.

🌺 Summer Luau at American Legion Post 17
📅 Saturday, September 6th | 11AM–5PM
📍 American Legion Post 17, 415 Edgewood Rd, Edgewood
Celebrate summer island-style with pit beef, ham, or turkey sandwiches ($12 each, $14 meat trio) served with sides and chips from 12–4 PM. Enjoy live classic rock from This Your Monkey (12–4 PM), specialty cocktails like Blue Hawaiians and Hula Margaritas ($8), plus $2 jello shooters.

🥪 Sandwich Stock 2025
📅 Saturday, September 6th | 11:30AM–9PM
📍 Vagabond Sandwich Company, 111 Thomas St, Bel Air
Bel Air’s favorite food-and-music festival is back for its 9th year—and admission is free. Two stages of live music all day with acts like Ballyhoo!, Skitzo Calypso, Old Man Jones, Girls Night Out Jazz Band, and more. Plus: cold beer, food from Vagabond, local vendors, axe throwing, and community vibes. Proceeds benefit Band Together of Harford County.

🎵 Beer, Vinyl & Vittles Festival
📅 Saturday, September 6th | 12-8PM
📍 The Field @ 302 Dove Court, Forest Hill (next to Double Groove Brewing)
Back for its fifth year, this free community festival blends live music, art, vinyl records, craft beer, and local food. Browse new and used records from REB Records, enjoy craft beer and seltzer from the DGB trailer, and grab eats from Fuzzies Burgers and Crossroads Bistro. Kids can bounce, vendors will be on site, and the music runs all day on a pro stage. Admission is free, but bring non-perishable food items to help fill the Harford Community Action Agency van.

🍻 Looney’s Pub 23rd Anniversary Power Hour Party
📅 Saturday, September 6th | 11AM–1AM
📍 Looney’s Pub, 312 S Main St, Bel Air
Cheers to 23 years! Looney’s is celebrating big with an all-day Power Hour Party—a new featured drink special every hour on the hour. From Irish Coffee & Guinness in the morning to Baja Bombs & Nutrl at midnight, it’s a marathon celebration of food, drinks, and good times at one of Bel Air’s favorite pubs.

🕯️ Wine Bottle/Crab Candle Making Workshop at Harford Vineyard
📅 Sunday, September 7th | 1–3PM
📍 Harford Vineyard & Winery, 1311 W Jarrettsville Rd, Forest Hill
Get creative with Nature’s Glow Candle Company at this coastal-inspired workshop. Choose between making a wine bottle candle ($65) or a Maryland crab-shaped candle ($68), customize your scent, and enjoy a glass of Harford Vineyard wine or spirit while your candle sets. A hands-on, relaxed afternoon perfect for DIY lovers.

Family Fun

🍩 End of Summer Bash at Divergent Donuts
📅 Saturday, September 6th | 12:30-4:30PM
📍 Divergent Donuts, 2017 Pulaski Hwy, Suite A&B, Havre de Grace
Celebrate summer’s close with Totally Baked By Tay & Divergent Donuts at their first annual bash. Expect random giveaways, local vendors, a $2 photo booth, cars & donuts meetup, and the main event: a donut-eating contest. Stick around for Groovin’ & Glowing from 7–9 PM for more fun.

🍓 Bel Air Farmers Market
📅 Saturday, September 6th | 8AM–12PM
📍 2 South Bond St, Bel Air
8AM: Harford Vineyard & Independent Brewing Co… 9AM: Brewgrass, Live Music Guest… Shop fresh local produce, breads, meats, and crafts.

🥕 Havre de Grace Farmers Market — 30th Anniversary
📅 Saturday, September 6th | 8:30AM–12PM
📍 700 Block of Pennington Ave, Havre de Grace (Parking in the STAR Centre lot)
The Havre de Grace Farmers Market turns 30 this weekend! Expect free giveaways, perfect early-fall weather, and all your favorite farm-fresh products from some of Maryland’s best vendors. A true community celebration of local food, artisans, and neighbors—don’t miss this milestone market morning.

🃏 Bel Air Sports Cards 8th Anniversary Celebration
📅 Saturday, September 6th | 9AM-8PM
📍 Bel Air Sports Cards, 1401 Conowingo Rd Unit C, Bel Air
Bel Air Sports Cards marks 8 years in business with a full day of fun for collectors and families. Expect autograph guests (including Baltimore Oriole Cade Povich), Kids Trade Day, Mystery Bags, and more throughout the day. A perfect stop for sports fans and hobbyists alike.

Music & Entertainment

🎶 Stanstock Music Festival 2025
📅 Saturday & Sunday, September 6–7 | Starts 11:30 AM both days
📍 Fallston Barrel House, 2403 Bel Air Rd, Fallston
Two full days of live music to benefit the Catch A Lift Fund and Nicole Van Horn Foundation. With 40+ bands and acoustic acts across 3 stages, plus raffles, 50/50 drawings, and silent auctions, it’s a festival with a cause.

Devaney Brothers @ Looney’s Pub
📅 Saturday, August 30th | 5-9PM
📍 Looney’s Pub, 312 S Main St, Bel Air’

Chuck Defontes Duo @ Hickory Lodge
📅 Saturday, September 6th | 6PM
📍 Hickory Lodge, 2119 Conowingo Rd, Bel Air

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

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

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.

This week’s reader submission is: Scout

“Meet Scout! Rambunctious and sweet! Loves to sleep in 1000 positions. Brings love and joy to our home.”

Shannon’s Pretty Paws Pet Grooming: We are more than just groomers, we’re a family! Named #1 Pet Groomer in Edgewood!

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

Book an appointment with one of our experienced groomers today!

Local News & Happenings

🍀 Retired Fallston Couple Scores $150K Scratch-Off Win
A Fallston couple hit it big after cashing in two old tickets and grabbing a pair of $10 scratch-offs at Carroll Fuel in Bel Air. One ticket revealed a $150,000 top prize, which they plan to share with family. The gas station also earned a $1,000 bonus for selling the winner. Read more…

📚 Harford County Public Library Announces 2025 Gala
The Harford County Public Library Foundation will host its 21st annual gala, “Epic Rewind: Eighties in the Stacks,” on November 1 at the Abingdon Library. Guests can expect live 80s music, local restaurant tastings, auctions, and a raffle—all benefiting library programs. Tickets go on sale September 9. Read more…

💜 Harford County Marks Recovery & Suicide Prevention Month
Harford County is hosting a series of events this September to honor National Recovery Month and Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Residents are encouraged to light up homes and buildings purple throughout the month and wear purple on September 19 to show support. Community events include a “Courage to Rise” gathering at Rockfield Manor, Recovery Month Bingo, and a youth alcohol awareness webinar later in the month. Read more…

Date Spot Of The Week

Z Vault (Bel Air)

📍201 S. Main Street, Bel Air

We’re dialing in something fresh, easygoing, and a little sweet this week…

If you want a date spot that’s low-pressure but a cut above the usual coffee run, Z Vault is your move. Built on nutrition, quality, and service, this local café in downtown Bel Air serves up breakfast, lunch, coffee & desserts with an edge of health consciousness.

You can start light with a Blissful smoothie (packed with berries and banana for a naturally creamy, colorful kick), or go indulgent with their Affogato—a shot of espresso poured right over your choice of freshly churned gelato. Breakfast lovers, check out the Z Omelette with your choice of meat or the Fresh Belgian Waffles for something a bit sweeter. When lunch rolls around, sandwiches like the Tomato Pesto Panini or Avocado Toast hit the spot.

The spot feels clean, modern, and quiet enough to actually talk. Not a museum, not a dive—just right. Great for brunch, afternoon treats, or dessert with a purpose.

👉 Click here to scope the full menu & plan your date

Real Estate Corner, Brought to You By…

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.

Bel Air Bulletin

Want to spotlight your business to 3,200+ locals? Reply to this email or click the button below to book an ad for your business in the next Bel Air Bulletin.

☕ The Screaming Bean
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 & 6617 Aberdeen Blvd @ Aberdeen Proving Ground. Check out the menu here: ScreamingBeanCafe.com, or call 443-286-6821. Click here to download the Screaming Bean mobile app.

🍊 Craft Crushes - Maryland’s #1 Cocktail (My personal favorite, too!)
Local, family-owned & made in Baltimore. Craft Crushes delivers all-natural, gluten-free Crush cocktails in a can—6% ABV, only 200 cals, vodka distilled 6x. Perfect for beach days, BBQs, or beating the heat inside. Available at local liquor stores—check the site for locations! craftcrushes.com

🏠 Tar Heel Construction Group
Full-service roofing & exteriors specialist in Bel Air. GAF Master Elite-certified. They handle roofing, siding, gutters, windows, decks, insulation, and thermal inspections. A+ BBB-accredited since 2016, with 600+ Google reviews & a 5-star rating. Call (410) 638‑7021 or click here for a free quote.

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