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Hello Westminster!
The big story this week is Outdoor School — or rather, the end of overnight Outdoor School as generations of Carroll County sixth graders knew it.
The school board voted 5–0 on Wednesday to eliminate the residential component of the program, and released a formal statement on Thursday disclosing a nighttime intruder incident at Hashawa that factored into the decision. More on that below.
On a lighter note: today is a good day to get out. The Rock 'n Run 5K kicks off at the Farm Museum at 5 pm with a twilight race and free concert, and the Carroll County Celtic Festival is running all weekend at the Ag Center.
Also ahead this week: dollar movies start Tuesday at TownMall, and Westminster Rec & Parks announced their schedule for free snowballs every Tuesday in July and bumper boats at City Park on Wednesdays if you pre-register.
Let's get into it.
📋 Board of Education releases statement, discloses intruder incident
A day after the vote to end the overnight component of Outdoor School, the Carroll County Board of Education released a formal statement disclosing a specific security incident: a person who appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance entered the property at night while students were present, accessed a vehicle, attempted to enter buildings, and was later found to have an active arrest warrant. The board defended its decision, arguing that the site's lack of controlled access, alarm systems, and perimeter fencing makes it fundamentally different from a school.
🏃 Rock 'n Run 5K at the Carroll County Farm Museum — Today, 5 pm
The Rock 'n Run 5K hits the Carroll County Farm Museum (500 S. Center St., Westminster) tonight, Saturday, June 13, with a 5 pm start. The Twilight Race, presented by Rehab 2 Perform and organized with 100.7 The Bay, features live classic rock along the course and a free post-race concert by Doc Marten and the Flannels starting at 5:30 pm. Registration is $49.28 through race day at rocknrunmd.com; all finishers get an Under Armour shirt, finisher medal, and one complimentary beer (21+). Packet pickup runs 3–4:30 pm at the venue. No dogs on the course.
🏴 4th Annual Carroll County Celtic Festival — Today & Sunday
The Carroll County Celtic Festival returns for its fourth year Saturday, June 13, and Sunday, June 14, 10 am to 5 pm, at the Carroll County Agriculture Center (706 Agriculture Drive, Westminster). Expect traditional music, dance performances, clan tents, highland cows, artisans, and The Sword Experience — featuring special guest Adrian Paul, best known from the TV series Highlander — with condensed swordplay sessions for beginners and experienced participants on Sunday. Advance discount pricing has ended; gate admission is $30 for adults (16–65), $25 for seniors (65+), $20 for youth (7–15); children 6 and under are free.
🎬 $1 Movies at TownMall start this Tuesday, June 16
RC Theatres at TownMall of Westminster is bringing back its summer movie series starting Tuesday, June 16, with $1-per-person showings every Tuesday and Wednesday morning at 10 am through August 5. The lineup runs from Smurfs (June 16–17) through Minions: Rise of Gru (Aug 4–5), with many more titles in between. Sensory-friendly showings available.
Also worth noting: the Carroll Arts Center on Main Street is running free Tuesday night movies at 7 pm from June 30 through August 4, kicking off with Remember the Titans.
⛵ Free bumper boats and snowballs from Westminster Rec & Parks
Westminster Recreation & Parks is running two free cool-off programs throughout July. Bumper boats at City Park (11 Longwell Ave.) run every Wednesday in July, with alternating morning (10 am–noon) and afternoon (1–3 pm) sessions. Kids under 12 ride free, but pre-registration is required via the Westminster City Rec activity page.
Free snowballs are handed out every Tuesday in July from 12–1 pm on Locust Lane, across from the Carroll County Public Library downtown (50 East Main St.) — no registration needed.
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That's the Wire for this Saturday. Have a good weekend.
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