Maryland Tourism

 Maryland Tourism offers ways to "buy local" during July

BALTIMORE (June 29) – "Buying local" often means visiting a farmers' market for fresh produce grown on Maryland farms. It can also mean much more, suggests the Maryland Office of Tourism: dining on Chesapeake Bay seafood, selecting Maryland wine, acquiring the artwork of local artists, or even soaking up local history along the state's Civil War Trails, for instance.

The tourism office has designated July as a time to focus on "buying local" in Maryland, making it the theme of its Maryland Spotlight campaign – a monthly promotion that highlights distinctive aspects of tourism in the state.

"When residents and visitors experience our local resources, they are tapping into Maryland's unique assets," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "Buying local is making an investment in Maryland's signature products, attractions and events. The bounty of our land and water – a reflection of our commitment to a Smart, Green and Growing future for all Marylanders – is just the start of what it means to buy local in Maryland."

Margot Ameila, executive director of the tourism office, adds: "Travelers can sample the best of Maryland with a multi-faceted "buy local" approach. They'll have plenty of opportunities to enjoy Maryland's authentic treasures."

Gov. O'Malley hosts the annual Buy Local Cook-Out in Annapolis on July 15 to kick off Maryland's Buy Local Challenge Week, July 17-21. The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, which initiated Buy Local Week , invites Marylanders to pledge to eat at least one item from a local farm every day during that week.

The commission also created a guidebook for "all things handmade, home-grown, locally harvested and authentically Southern Maryland" in Southern Maryland Trails: Earth, Art, Imagination . In the guide, trails are a network for locating farms, art studios and galleries, wineries, gardens, eateries, lodging and other related destinations. 

Ideas for trips into Maryland's five regions with examples of local events and attractions that reflect the identity of the area are below. Also, the Maryland Department of Agriculture has anonline directory of farmers' markets in the state.

Southern Maryland 

• A Thursday night farmers' market in Solomons is good place to watch the Southern Maryland Sailing Association's weekly small-boat races. Friday nights at the North Beach market feature a classic-car show. Saturday markets at the Calvert County Fairgrounds coincide with a flea market.
   
• Annmarie Sculpture Garden and Art Center, also in Solomons, showcases local produce and local artists at its Makers Mart, the first Saturday of each month. You'll find world-class sculpture in a garden setting at Annmarie.
   
• Patuxent Wine Trail is a collection of five wineries up and down the Calvert County peninsula. It's the only Maryland wine trail that runs in a linear direction. Get a taste of the vineyards that have emerged here in place of tobacco fields. 
   
• Potomac Jazz and Seafood Festival, July 10 at St. Clement's Island Museum in St. Mary's County, is a good reason to visit Maryland's birthplace. The island is where British settlers established a colony, 376 years ago. Relax on the museum grounds, listen to the music and enjoy Maryland seafood.

Western Maryland

• Mountain City Traditional Arts Center in Frostburg showcases local Appalachian art with demonstrations, hand-crafted items for sale, artwork on display, classes and workshops, and occasional performances.
  
  
• "The Bridges of Washington County " include 22 historic stone-arch bridges that span Conocoheague Creek and Antietam Creek. Burnside Bridge, prominent in Civil War history, and Wilson's Bridge, a 210-ft. bridge completed in 1819, are two of the bridges. 
   
• Artist Studio Tour of Garrett County , July 24-25, is an opportunity to meet 35 artists, and view their work: painting, photography, jewelry, pottery and woodwork. Tour includes artist demonstrations.

Capital Region 

• Montgomery County's annual Farm Tour and Harvest Sale , July 24-25 is a way to become familiar with the local products at 14 county locations, including – farms, orchards, animal sanctuary, alpaca farm and a vineyard.
  
  
• Frederick Wine Trail – six wineries and 120 acres of vineyards – represents more than half of Maryland's total wine production. The trail intersects with myriad historical locations that relate to the Revolutionary War and Civil War. 
   
• Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard – a 92-acre farm in a conservation and recreation area of upper Montgomery County – has a weekly farmers' market on Saturdays. The vineyard belongs to a group of local artisan-run enterprises that produce quality handcrafted items.

Central Maryland 

• Howard County's Farm2Table Summer Restaurant Weeks , July 26-Aug. 8, offer diners a chance to try prix-fixe menus that feature locally grown products at 25 independent restaurants in the county. Menus range in price from $10.09 to $40.09. On July 20, some of the farms and restaurants that are part of this event will participate in a "Film Feastival" at Clark's Elioak Farm in Ellicott City. The gathering features Ingredients, a 2009 award-winning documentary about the local-food movement in the U.S.
  
  
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