The Sykesville Business Association will sponsor the town's 30th annual fall festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday along Main Street downtown.
This year's theme, "Family Day the Sykesville Way," will focus on town arts and crafts, activities by local businesses and restaurants and railroading.
The day will start with breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church Parish House on Main Street at Sandosky Road. The cost is $5 and $2.50 for children for a plate of pancakes, sausage, applesauce and a beverage.
Visitors can participate in the Piedmont Pacers Volksmarch Club's walk fest at Millard Cooper Park. Walkers can start any time between 8:30 a.m. and noon and must finish by 3 p.m.
The festival will feature entertainment by disc jockey Mike all day, the Liberty High School marching band at 10 a.m., SRCS All Star Dance Team at 11 a.m., Tri Star Martial Arts at noon, Sykesville Tai Kwon Do at 1 p.m., Savage Dance Studio at 2 p.m., Liberty High School jazz band at 3 p.m. and Century High School marching band at 4 p.m.
The street will be lined with craft and food vendors. Art Twigg will do his rendition of Gen. Robert E. Lee with a headquarters display and talk about Lee and his times.
The Sykesville Patapsco Railroad Club will offer a limited edition 10th anniversary trading card. Children can ride the Little Sykes Railroad and play games by Fun Events LLC of Carroll County.
Information: 410-795-3322.
State high school bands to compete at Liberty High
Ten high school marching bands from around the state will compete at Liberty High School marching band's Tournament of Bands Extravaganza at 6 p.m. Saturday in the school stadium.
More than 400 musicians are expected to participate. The national anthem will be played at 6 p.m. and competition will begin shortly afterward.
Admission is $5 and $3 for students.
The school is on Bartholow Road in Eldersburg.
Information: 410-751-3560.
Longaberger basket bingo is scheduled for Oct. 10
Ronnie Legore Activities Park Inc. will hold Longaberger basket bingo Oct. 10 at the Gamber and Community Fire Department social hall.
Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and games will begin at 7 p.m. with early bird game at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door for a set of cards for 20 games. Baskets will be filled.
Refreshments will be sold. Raffles, door prizes and jackpot games will be held.
The fire hall is on Route 32 at Niner Road.
Information: 410-795-4375.
Mothers group to learn about household chemicals
Moms on the Move, a Sykesville/Eldersburg-area community group, provides recreation for stay-at-home mothers and their children.
The group will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. Oct. 15 at Wesley-Freedom United Methodist Church on Johnsville Road, Eldersburg. The topic will be "Household Chemicals: Their Toxicity and Possible Alternatives." Children are welcome and baby-sitting is provided.
Other events this month will include a play day at Westminster City Park, Mom's-only night out at Pour House Cafe, pumpkin picking at Buppert's, and the monthly Mom's book club. Play groups also will begin soon.
Information: 410-549-4286.
`Read and Play' on calendar at library branch Saturday
Eldersburg library branch, 6400 W. Hemlock Drive, is offering:
Family Story Time for all ages (age 3 and younger with an adult) at 7 p.m. today on "Smelly Stories" and 9:45 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. Monday on "Fall Colors."
"Saturday Read and Play" for birth to age 3 at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Stories, rhymes and a play group will be featured. Children must be with an adult caregiver.
Books and Beyond at 7 p.m. Monday for ages 7 to 10. This monthly book club will read and discuss an advanced picture book, and do related activities. Books will be read during the program.
Eldersburg Book Club for adults at 2 p.m. Oct. 11 to discuss Blackberry Wine by Joanne Harris.
Information: 410-386-4488.
Marine Lieutenant Lowery reports for helicopter duty
Marine Corps 1st Lt. Charles M. Lowery III recently reported for duty with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 265, Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Okinawa, Japan.
He is the son of Ann and Donald Stromberg of Sykesville and a 1989 graduate of Hammond High School of Columbia. He joined the Marine Corps in July 1989. He is a 2000 graduate of Norwich University, Northfield, Vt., with a bachelor of science degree.
Public meeting
Sykesville planning: Sykesville Planning and Zoning Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the Town House meeting room, 7547 Main St. 410-795- 6390.
Around town
Free lunch: Wesley Freedom United Methodist Church offers a free meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Monday and Friday (including holidays) in the church hall on Johnsville Road, Eldersburg. 410-795-6136 or 410- 795-1237.
Bingo: American Legion Post 223 of Sykesville will hold bingo at 7 p.m. every Thursday at 7327 Slacks Road. The hall opens at 5:30 p.m. and kitchen at 6 p.m. 410-795-7242.
Firehouse bingo: Sykesville-Freedom District Fire Department will hold bingo at 7:30 p.m. every Friday in the fire hall on Route 32 at Freedom Avenue. 410-795-8021.
