Crofton residents love Homestead Gardens... love good food... love the blooming baskets in Annapolis...
You're in luck, because August 28 is the day of the Tomato Festival at Homestead Gardens, complete with a chili cookoff and a salsa contest (along with live music and entertainment) - and it benefits the Bloomin' Annapolis Program.
Martha Brown, my friend and colleague at Long & Foster, posted a blog about the event that I think you'll enjoy reading. 'See you there!
First Annual Chesapeake Chili Cook Off to Benefit Bloomin Annapolis
Each spring since 1998 Annapolis has burst into bloom with beautiful hanging flower baskets and overflowing flower pots. This urban beautification project was the brainchild of local and downtown business owners including Don Riddle of Homestead Gardens and Steve Samaras of Zachary Jewelers. Over the years it has expanded to include Maryland Ave, West Street and over into Eastport along the Spa Creek Bridge. These beautiful hanging baskets have made Annapolis a role model for other cities and municipalities across the nation. And it's safe to say that these flowers have had a huge part in the City of Annapolis being selected by Forbes Travel Magazine as one of America's prettiest towns for 2 years in a row.
But did you know that every night from May to October between the hours of 3am and 6am a two person team waters, weeds and cares for these baskets and pots. And with over 200 hanging baskets and oversized flower pots adorning our City streets and Spa Bridge thats a lot of watering and weeding. Over the years funding for the Bloomin Annapolis Flower Program has been a private- public joint venture between the City of Annapolis, its businesses and the community. But alas like many programs during the last few years the economy has forced many contributors to scale down their yearly donations
This year to help raise donations for the care and upkeep of these beautiful baskets and pots the First Annual Chesapeake Chili Cook Off will be held at Homestead Gardens ( Corner of Rt. 214 and Birdsville Rd in Davidsonville) during their 2nd Annual Tomato Festival on August 28th 2010 from noon to 6pm. The proceeds from the Chili Cook Off will go to the Annapolis Flower Program to help pay for the hanging flower baskets and pots in downtown Annapolis we have all come to love and cherish each spring and summer.But wait....there is more. The 2nd Annual Salsa Contest and a Pizza Eating Contest featuring Ledo Pizza of Edgewater will be taking place as well. And...there will be tomato tastings, cooking demonstrations, kids activities, and local vendors too. Plus live music performed by the Andy Poxon Band. I had the pleasure of hearing this 16 year old Crofton native play at 'Eastport A Rockin' and he is sensational.
This fun filled family event will certainly be the place to be. I know I will.
Tickets:
$10 each
Family of 4: $25
Children under 10 free
Tickets may be purchased at Homestead Gardens or call 410.798.5000 for more information.
So mark your calendar for August 28th and plan to attend a fun filled day. To find out more about the hanging baskets and pots and to make a donation visit Bloomin Annapolis. For more information on the festivities visit Homestead Gardens.
About the Author- Martha Brown is a native Annapolitan whose passion is real estate. A Certified Residential Specialist, Martha serves the Annapolis Metro Area Real Estate Market including Anne Arundel County and historic Upper Marlboro properties in Prince George's County.
All photographs and/or written material and content produced by Martha Brown. All rights reserved and may not be re-produced or replicated without express written permission of Martha Brown, real estate agent with Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. Copyright 2010. Martha Brown
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Martha Brown CRS GRI
Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.
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Every effort has been made to assure that the information in this blog is as accurate as possible. Martha Brown of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc. disclaims any implied warranty or representation about it's accuracy, completeness or appropriateness for any particular purpose. This includes but is not limited to any information provided by third parties which is accessed through this blog via a hyperlink.
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Margaret, Wonderful localism post. If I lived around there, I'd stop by.
Margaret, sounds like some fun eating going for a good cause. Hopefully when they put up the 'blooms' they'll use some common sense as well. We were just in a town that had those gorgeous large pots on all the poles downtown, really pretty. The problem, however was that the pots were so large that they covered all the signs that were attached to the poles making it very difficult to read the signs without stopping traffic.
Hi Margaret... somehow I don't think of chili or salsa when I think of Annapolis... but I am sure it will be a fun (and yummy) time!
Awesome reblog, Margaret!!! That sounds like an absolutely wonderful time and i am a CHILI FREAK! Hhmmm, I might have to make some today!
Margaret and Martha...what a neat program! We don't have the hanging flowers but much of the landscape in the Midtown Business corridor is maintained by Midtown Green, an arm of Midtown Alliance, and the Special Improvement District.
They get alot of their "labor" from the chain gang. That is, those people that are arrested for not to serious of crimes but get a sentence of community service. They get a work out!
And chili....hmmmmm....that sounds good...