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calendar | june stay in TONS OF FUN THINGS TO DO THIS MONTH

Normally our June calendar for families is chock full of outdoor concerts, cool family fun events, kayak tours, boat rides, Father’s Day celebrations, and family festivals. But, as you know, 2020 is different. The good news is that there’s still plenty to do with the family, even if it’s not what you’re used to this time of year. Here are some fun family events that are happening despite the times.

Entries due June 15th

YOUNG INVENTORS CHALLENGE

By now your children are probably experts at every board game, card game and video game in the house. Now it’s time to challenge the kids to invent their own game! The Chicago Toy & Game Young Inventor Challenge is hosting a special spring edition of its annual toy invention challenge by partnering with major industry players like Mattel, Magformers, and Scholastic. Kids are asked to design and build a prototype of a new game. During the Young Inventor Challenge, heavy hitters from top toy companies mentor each entrant and there’s a Young Inventor Design Guide that walks parents and kids through the creative design process. During the judging phase, toy companies have the option to work with inventors to bring their games to market. Entries are due by June 15, and kids have to design a prototype and film a short pitch video. Find out more at chitag.com/yic

COLUMBIA FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS

June 17–26 The Columbia Festival of the Arts is switching gears this year, featuring the Columbia Film Festival as the main event! The festival will bring you free workshops, over 60 films, discussions, and more, all virtually. Workshops include free virtual drawing classes as part of its Kidz Art program. The Columbia Film Festival has also partnered with the Horizon Foundation to present a completely Free twoday Mental Health Film Festival with complimentary films and live virtual Filmmaker Q&A’s. Film Fans, or anyone looking for something unique and different, can purchase discount Film Festival Passes and/or register online for the Free events at www.ColumbiaFilmFestival. org to watch films on any mobile device, computer, or compatible home TV connection via the new Columbia Arts Channel, Selections will include shorts, feature films, documentaries, student films, animation, and international titles.

VIRTUAL SECRET GRAD SPIRIT RACE

GARDEN TOUR Show support to the Class of 2020! Run for During the first weekend of June that special graduate or school! This virtual each year, the Hammond-Harwood option can be done anywhere and no quantity House holds its Secret Garden Tour limitation. All participants receive a quality in a section of Annapolis. Hundreds race shirt! School Spirit Wear Contest too! of those who are curious about or A Portion of proceeds benefits “Scholarship love gardens have toured the secret America”. Sign up at runsignup.com gardens of Annapolis—behind historic houses, down picturesque JAY FLEMING EXHIBIT: alleyways, or inside intriguing gates. ISLAND LIFE This year Hammond-Harwood is This new exhibition featuring the works of taking the event online by inviting Chesapeake Bay photographer Jay Fleming gardeners to share photos of their will be presented to the public virtually. Island own gardens for others to tour Life: Changing Culture, Changing Shorelines online. If you’d like to participate, can be found online at cbmmislandlife.org. send 1 to 3 photos to the form online at hammondharwoodhouse. org by June 4. Photos will be shared SATURDAY MORNING on the virtual Secret Garden Tour open to the public June 6 and 7.

TUNES CONCERTS

Presented by WTMD Radio, Saturday Visit hammondharwoodhouse. org/secret-garden-tour-2020 or Morning Tunes Livestream Concerts bring stars of the kids music scene to your devices follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts on June 6 and 7 to tour Saturdays at 9 a.m. on the WTMD Facebook Page. They’re free, and sure to get your little all the beautiful Secret Gardens of Annapolis. ones dancing. Go to ChesapeakeFamily.com/Calendar for more events!

PRIDE FESTIVAL ONLINE

June 27, 4 p.m. After an amazing inaugural Annapolis Pride Parade and Festival in 2019, the Pride Festival will go virtual this year. You can support, celebrate, engage, and unite to support the LGBTQ+ community on June 27. Keep an eye out for more details on the Annapolis Pride Facebook page facebook.com/Annapolispride.

DRAG STORY TIME: READING IS FUNDAMENTAL!

Join Creative Alliance on Thursdays after lunch with your kids for a family-friendly Facebook Live Feed drag story time event featuring some of Baltimore’s favorite drag personas. Showcasing books and stories that lift up the arts, diversity, and acceptance, Drag Story Time Live feeds start at 1pm on the Facebook event page and will last until about 1:30.

CHESAPEAKE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

The 35th anniversary of the Chesapeake Chamber Music Festival will feature some of your favorite musicians and new talented artists as they perform in five online concerts available on the Chesapeake Music website, chesapeakemusic.org. Concerts are free and will be available online for a 24-hour period with 48 hours between concerts. All concerts will be posted at 5:30 p.m.

EVERY STEP COUNTS

June 7–13 Walk, bike, or run with your family and friends in your own community to support Bello Machre, a local nonprofit that provides loving care, opportunity, and guidance for people with developmental disabilities in Maryland. In addition to raising funds and getting outside, everyone is invited to join in a virtual dance party celebration at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 13th. bellomachre.org/every-stepcounts

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