The Harford County Celtic Festival Returns

Hello Friends—

Welcome to the 89 new subscribers who joined since last week’s edition. Happy to have you in our (growing) community!

Great to see some of our loyal subscribers at the ConnectPro Luau happy hour last night at Natalie’s Seafood Kitchen! The $6 coconut crushes didn’t make too much of a dent in the bank account…

This week, the Harford County Celtic Festival is happening this weekend… the 2025 Under the Sea Bash benefitting the Sea of Hope Foundation is on Saturday… plus an in-ground pool of your summer dreams.

Scroll down, make plans, and enjoy your weekend!

Things To Do This Weekend In Bel Air & Surrounding Areas

Food & Drink

🍀 Harford County Celtic Festival
📅 Friday, August 22nd | 5–9PM & Saturday, August 23rd | 11AM–9PM
📍 Friendship Park, 3520 Woodsdale Rd, Abingdon
Two days of Celtic culture come alive with live music, dancers, artisan vendors, kids’ activities, and plenty of food and drink. Bring the whole family for a weekend packed with Irish and Scottish tradition right here in Harford County.

🍦 Ice Cream for Breakfast @ Edgewood Creamery
📅 Saturday, August 23rd | 10AM–2PM
📍 Edgewood Creamery, 701 Edgewood Rd, Edgewood
Why not start the weekend sweet? Edgewood Creamery is serving up waffles piled high with your favorite ice cream—think strawberry with hot fudge, Coffee Mocha with caramel, or banana pudding with fresh bananas. A fun twist on breakfast that might just become your new Saturday tradition.

🚗 Car Cruise at Harford Vineyard
📅 Saturday, August 23rd | 4–8PM
📍 Harford Vineyard, 1311 W Jarrettsville Rd, Forest Hill
Classic cars, local wine, and good vibes await at this relaxing cruise night. A great mix of engines and elegance set in the countryside.

🥐 Pastry Pop-Up @ J’s Market
📅 Sunday, August 24th | 11AM–3PM
📍 J’s Farm Market, 2115 Waverly Dr, Bel Air
Flaky croissants, rich pain au chocolat, and French-inspired pastries fresh from Pepper’s Bakery return for one sweet Sunday only. Pair your treats with J’s homemade teas and drinks, then kick back with outdoor seating while supplies last. These pop-ups don’t happen often—so come early and savor the moment.

🎶 Music in the Vineyard: Fiore Winery
📅 Sunday, August 24th | 1–4PM
📍 Fiore Winery & Distillery, 3026 Whiteford Rd, Pylesville
Sip wine, lounge outdoors, and enjoy live local music in a scenic vineyard setting. A mellow way to close out the weekend.

Family Fun

🏈 Fallston Football 2025 Pep Rally
📅 Friday, August 22nd | 6PM
📍 1707 Fallston Rd, Fallston
Kick off football season with music, local vendors, and plenty of hometown spirit as the community rallies behind the Fallston Cougars. A Friday night celebration to fire up the team for the 2025 season!

🍓 Bel Air Farmers Market
📅 Saturday, August 23rd | 8 AM–12 PM
📍 2 South Bond St, Bel Air
8AM: Fiore Vineyard & Independent Brewing Co… 9AM: Sean O’Brien, Live Music Guest… Shop fresh local produce, breads, meats, and crafts.

🧺 Havre de Grace Farmers Market
📅 Saturday, August 23rd | 8:30AM–12 PM
📍 700 Pennington Ave, Havre de Grace
Support local vendors and pick up artisan eats and goods.

🌊 Under the Sea Bash 2025
📅 Saturday, August 23rd | 10AM–2PM
📍 Aberdeen Festival Park, Aberdeen
A family-friendly day filled with magic—live mermaids, jellyfish on stilts, acrobats, walking bubbles, bounce houses, character meet-and-greets, vendors, food trucks, and more—all to benefit the Sea of Hope Foundation, honoring the life of Ariella O’Mara and supporting families facing the loss of a child.

📚 Book Fair at Bel Air Armory
📅 Saturday, August 23rd | 10AM–2PM
📍 Bel Air Armory, 37 N Main St, Bel Air
Celebrate stories at the second annual Book Fair at Bel Air. Meet local authors, browse book-inspired vendors, and enjoy family-friendly activities—all for free. A perfect Saturday stop for readers of every age.

🌞 Summer Send-Off!
📅 Saturday, August 23rd | 12PM–6PM
📍 Forest Ridge Baptist Church, 2435 Bailey Rd, Forest Hill
Close out summer with a full day of family fun—bounce houses, a giant waterslide, corn hole, yard games, food trucks, and more. Free to attend and packed with activities, it’s the perfect way to send summer off in style.

🛍️ Bel Air Flea Market
📅 Sunday, August 24th | 8AM–2PM
📍 2 S Bond St, Bel Air (across from Vagabond Sandwich Co.)
Hunt for hidden gems at the Bel Air Community Yard Sale & Flea Market. Browse antiques, collectibles, jewelry, toys, coins, baseball cards, comics, pocket knives, lighters, watches, postcards, and more. Held in the same lot as the farmers market—perfect for pairing your treasure hunt with local produce. Whether you’re a collector or just love a good find, this is your Sunday stop.

🏛️ Guided Tour of Historic Tudor Hall
📅 Sunday, August 24th | 1–1:45PM
📍 17 Tudor Lane, Bel Air
Step back in time with a guided tour of Tudor Hall, the historic home once belonging to Maryland’s famous Shakespearean acting family—including John Wilkes Booth. Explore the grounds and first floor during this 45-minute tour. Admission is $5 (cash, ages 13+).

💜 Raven’s Mike Green Meet & Greet
📅 Sunday, August 24th | 4PM
📍 Natalie’s Seafood Kitchen, 2315 Belair Rd, Fallston
Ravens Flock, this one’s for you. Meet rookie phenom Mike Green—Baltimore’s 2nd-round pick out of Marshall and the nation’s sack leader with 22.5 career takedowns. He’s ready to make his mark this season, and you can grab a photo, an autograph, and some seafood while you’re at it.

Music & Entertainment

🎭 Gypsy: A Musical Fable
📅 Friday–Sunday, August 22nd–24th | Fri 7PM, Sat 2PM & 7PM, Sun 2PM
📍 Havre de Grace Opera House, 121 N Union Ave, Havre de Grace
A timeless musical capturing the grit and glam of vaudeville’s golden age. Follow the story of the ultimate stage mom and her rise through showbiz chaos.

Social Drinking @ Barrel House Live
📅 Friday, August 22nd | 8PM
📍 Fallston Barrel House, 2403 Bel Air Rd, Fallston

FKNA @ Looney’s Pub
📅 Friday, August 22nd | 9PM-1AM
📍 Looney’s Pub, 312 S Main St, Bel Air’

BellCurve @ Hickory Lodge
📅 Saturday, August 23rd | 6PM
📍 Hickory Lodge, 2119 Conowingo Rd, Bel Air

Doc Marten & The Flannels @ Flying Point Marina
📅 Sunday August 24th | 3PM
📍 Flying Point Marina, 324 Flying Point Road, Edgewood

YotRox @ Natalie’s Seafood Kitchen
📅 Sunday, August 24th | 5PM
📍 Natalie’s Seafood Kitchen, 2315 Bel Air Rd, Unit B2, Fallston

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

Pet Of The Week

(Thanks to all of you who already submitted your adorable pets. I’ll make sure to get them included in this section in the coming weeks!)

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: Alegra

“She is 14 years young and with the sweetest, nonjudgmental, loving and gentle personality. She once sniffed out peanuts for an elderly lady who was allergic to them. When the woman passed, not due to Alegra’s negligence, she was acquired for my husband to help with his PTSD. Her ability to sense a high heart rate has proven invaluable as is her presence to calm the mind.”

P.S. I’m also looking for a local pet business to help bring this section to life—if that’s you (or someone you know), shoot me an email here.

Local News & Happenings

💰 Bel Air Nurse Wins $50K Scratch-Off Prize
A Bel Air nurse claimed a $50,000 Maryland Lottery prize from a scratch-off ticket purchased locally. The lucky win adds a bright spot to her busy career caring for patients, and she says the money will go toward building financial security for her family. Read more…

🍎 Ten Educators Honored with Golden Apple Awards
Freedom Federal Credit Union recognized ten outstanding local teachers at the 2025 Golden Apple Awards. The honorees were celebrated for their creativity, dedication, and impact on students across Harford County. Each award highlights the vital role educators play in shaping the community’s future. Read more…

🗳️ Bel Air Municipal Election Announced
The Town of Bel Air has scheduled its Municipal Election for Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at Town Hall. Two seats on the Board of Commissioners will be on the ballot, with polls open from 7AM to 8PM. Candidate filings are due by September 19, while voter registration closes October 14. Absentee and mail-in ballot options are also available. Read more…

🚙 Cox Automotive Acquires Bel Air Auto Auction
Cox Automotive has completed its acquisition of the Bel Air Auto Auction, officially welcoming 450 new employees to the team. The move expands Cox’s auction operations while strengthening its footprint in the Mid-Atlantic. Leaders say the transition will enhance services for both buyers and sellers in the automotive industry. Read more…

Date Night Spot Of The Week

Island Spice Grille (Edgewood)

📍2120A Emmorton Park Road, Edgewood

We’re keeping things flavorful and close to home this week…

If your date night calls for bold flavors, laid-back island vibes, and food that feels like a getaway, Island Spice Grille in Edgewood hits the mark. Known for its warm, welcoming atmosphere and authentic Jamaican cuisine, this spot brings the Caribbean straight to Harford County.

Start with their signature jerk wings before diving into entrées like jerk chicken, oxtail, or curry goat—each dish seasoned to perfection and cooked with love. Pair it with a Ting soda or tropical punch for that true island experience.

The portions are generous, the spices just right, and the energy is always relaxed—making it a fun and flavorful twist on the usual dinner date.

Click here to check out their menu & plan your night: IslandSpiceJamaicanFood.com

Bel Air Bulletin

Want to spotlight your business to 3,100+ locals? Reply to this email or click the button below. I’d love to feature your business in the next Bel Air Bulletin.

☕ 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 & 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.

🏠 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. Call (410) 469-7597 or click here for a free quote.

✨ HarcoPressure – Power Washing Done Right
Home looking rough? Siding, decks, driveways, gutters—grime builds up fast. HarcoPressure, locally owned by Justyce in Harford County, delivers expert pressure washing with fair prices and fast quotes. Fully insured, 5-star reviews, and a track record of giving back (they even cleaned 16,000 sq. ft. at Abingdon Fire House for free!). Call (443) 338-0020 or visit harcopressure.com

Mention Bel Air Brief for $30 OFF your service!

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’d be a good fit, email me here.

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