Summer will soon turn to fall, but you can keep the family fun going
By Tripp Laino
Though school starts soon — sorry for the reminder, kids — there’s still plenty of time to enjoy yourself. And with Columbia Association’s family-friendly events rolling into October, there are plenty of ways to do just that.
With everything from live music to African culture to ways to celebrate the family dog, there’s something for everyone! Visit columbiaassociation.org/events to learn more about what’s happening at CA.
Here are a few of the fabulous events happening this fall:
Lakefront Summer Festival
With movies and music continuing into September, there’s still plenty of time left to enjoy free entertainment at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront.
With movies and music continuing into September, there’s still plenty of time left to enjoy free entertainment at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront.
| August Concerts | |
| Thursday, August 2, 7:30pm | The LPs (’70s & ’80s Classic Rock) |
| Saturday, August 4, 7:30pm | Retrospect Band (Classic Rock) |
| Sunday, August 5, 6:30pm | Damon Foreman and Blue Funk (Jazz/Funk/Blues) |
| Tuesday, August 7, 7:30pm | Dave Chappell Band (Roots Rock) |
| Wednesday, August 8 (two shows) | Noon — Billy Kemp (Americana) |
| Thursday, August 9, 7:30pm | 7:30pm — Bottle of Blues (Traditional Blues with a twist) |
| Saturday, August 11, 7:30pm | Foreplay (’70s Rock Tribute) |
| Sunday, August 12, 6:30pm | The British Invasion Experience (Classic Rock) |
| Tuesday, August 14, 7:30pm | Columbia Concert Band (Classics/Pops) |
| Wednesday, August 15 (two shows) | Mystic Warriors (South American) |
| Noon — Woody Lissauer (Rock/Folk/Progressive) | 7:30pm — The Lavenia Nesmith Quintet (Jazz) |
| Thursday, August 16, 7:30pm | Rhythm Surf Monkeys (New Classic Rock) |
| September Concerts | |
| Sunday, September 9, 3pm | Capital Groove (R&B/Classic Rock) |
| Sunday, September 16, 3pm | Columbia Jazz Band (Jazz) |
| Sunday, September 23, 3pm | Sandra Dean Band (Classic Rock/Blues/Soul) |
|
Sunday, September 30, 3pm |
Chris Urquiaga (Pop/R&B/Latin)
Films run into September, with screenings typically held Mondays and Fridays. Two Saturdays — September 1 and 8 — also feature screenings. Check out the remaining schedule below.AAaaaaa |
| August Movies | |
| Friday, August 3 | Marvel’s Black Panther (PG-13) |
| Monday, August 6 | Disney’s Classic: The Lion King (G) |
| Friday, August 10 | Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (PG-13) |
| Monday, August 13 | Disney’s Frozen (PG) |
| Friday, August 17 | Marvel’s Doctor Strange (PG-13) |
| Monday, August 20 | Disney/Pixar’s Coco (PG) |
| Friday, August 24 | Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (PG-13) |
| Monday, August 27 | Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph (PG) |
| Friday, August 31 | Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 1 (PG-13) |
| September Movies | |
| Saturday, September 1 | Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol. 2 (PG-13) |
| Friday, September 7 | Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok (PG-13) Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War (PG-13) |
| Saturday, September 8 | Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War (PG-13) |
For more information, visit columbiaassociation.org/lakefrontfestival.
Healthy Hero Fun Run/Walk
Saturday, September 15, 8-11am
A free stroller-friendly 1.5-mile course at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront ends with face painting, balloons, music, nutritious snacks and beverages (while supplies last). Enjoy fun giveaways from one of our many booths.
Children are encouraged to dress up as their favorite hero. Come meet and greet with some of our KidSpace heroes! All children 12 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Enjoy browsing our family friendly vendors on the Downtown Columbia Lakefront plaza. Child-sized event T-shirts available for $5 while supplies last.
Preregistration encouraged at columbiaassociation.org/healthyhero or by calling these KidSpace locations: Columbia Gym (410-531-8984) or Supreme Sports Club (410-381-7559). For more information, please visit columbiaassociation.org/kidspace. Weather permitting; please call CA’s Inclement Weather Hotline at 410- 715-3154.
Hear My Voice: Columbia Teen Idol Competition
The Youth and Teen Center will be holding auditions for the 16th annual Hear My Voice Columbia Teen Idol Competition at The Barn, 5853 Robert Oliver Place, on three Wednesdays: September 12, 19 and 26. The singing competition will be held Sunday, October 14 from 3-6pm at the Downtown Columbia Lakefront.
Teen Idol is open to youth in grades six through 12. No music is necessary for the auditions; explicit lyrics are not allowed. Registration is not required, but suggested — please call 410-992-3726 to register.
For more information, visit columbiaassociation.org/ytc.
Columbia SportsPark
Ready to challenge your kids for mini-golf supremacy? Want to encourage those dreams of smashing homers at Camden Yards or Nationals Park? Head to Columbia SportsPark and indulge both!
The SportsPark has an 18-hole mini-golf course, 10 batting cages, clubhouse, two 600-foot pavilions and a playground. The mini-golf course was designed with extensive landscaping as a theme, so it feels almost like the real thing! Columbia SportsPark is also home to Columbia SkatePark, which you can learn about elsewhere in this issue.
Columbia SportsPark and SkatePark are great amenities to the community and are available for parties and corporate events. Currently, it offers mini-golf, batting cages, plus moon bounce and skate park party packages! All party packages include 90 minutes of fun, invitations, party paper products, cake, pizza and drinks for 10 participants, with the ability to upgrade your package. Additions to the package are subject to price change. No outside food permitted.
For more information, visit columbiaassociation.org/sportspark.
Columbia BikeAbout
Explore history and nature while enjoying a self-paced, family friendly ride on Columbia’s paths and streets. The well-marked 13-mile route begins at Oakland Mills Village Center and crosses the pedestrian bridge over Route 29 twice to wind through Town Center, Wilde Lake, Owen Brown and Long Reach before returning to Oakland Mills Village Center.
Riders are encouraged to stop at sites along the way to discover the history of Wilde Lake Rock,the interesting poster trees at Lake Kittamaqundi, the original village/neighborhood center concept, original land purchases, and the 50th birthday celebration of the village of Oakland Mills.
Riders looking for a shorter ride can complete the first half of the ride, ending at Oakland Mills Village Center. Registration is encouraged at columbiaassociation.org/bikeabout.
For more information, please call 410-715-6781 or email Columbia.Archives@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
Africa CultureFest: The Countries and Cultures of Black Panther and Beyond
Sunday, October 14 from 1:30-4:30pm
The Howard County community is invited to enjoy a free afternoon of African music, dance performances and displays celebrating the countries and cultures that inspired the movie Black Panther, as well as other countries on the African continent. Presented by Columbia Association and the Howard County Library System. The event is held at Howard County Library System’s Miller Branch, 9421 Frederick Road, Ellicott City. Families can pick up a “CultureFest Passport” upon arrival and complete it for a prize drawing.
For more information, call 410-715-3162 or email International@ColumbiaAssociation.org.
