Sponsored by
Happy Wednesday, Westminster!
The fire that sent smoke over a Main Street parking lot on Tuesday has been ruled accidental, with damage to five vehicles estimated at $55,000.
Down the block, a working laundromat is turning into a concert venue Friday night. The Oakenmist Renaissance Faire is also making its Westminster debut this weekend at the Ag Center. Plus, the Carroll Biz Challenge finale is Thursday at the Carroll Arts Center, with an afterparty at Covalent Spirits.
Also below: the story behind the birth of the Carroll Book Festival, a 100-author event set for Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Carroll County Farm Museum.
Let's get into it.
👀 Around Town
🏆 The 15th annual Carroll Biz Challenge puts five entrepreneurs in front of judges for a shot at cash prizes, Thursday, Aug. 13, 5–9 p.m., at the Carroll Arts Center. Tickets $30 adults, $20 ages 11–20, free under 10. See the event.
🏃 Run Moore marks its 12th anniversary with three group runs this week: Wed. at Wakefield Valley, Thurs.'s Pub Run (both 6 p.m.), and Sat.'s Anniversary Run (8:30 a.m.). Hit two of three for a free Run Moore x Adidas shirt while supplies last. Watch the video.
🏰 The Oakenmist Renaissance Faire rolls into the Carroll County Agriculture Center this Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 15–16, trading its former Howard County site for a bigger one. Tickets $23 in advance, $25 at the door; free under 10 with a paid adult. Read the full story.
🎪 Kidz' Funfest returns to the Carroll County Farm Museum Saturday, Aug. 15, 11 a.m.–3 p.m., with games, farmyard animals and a playground. $10 per carload, cash only. See the post.
👗 Off The Rails Pop-Up Boutique, open only a handful of days each month, holds its August dates this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 14–15. See the post.
🍀 O'Lordan's Irish Pub, 14 Liberty St., adds Monday hours starting Aug. 17, 11 a.m.–1 a.m. See the post.
👨🚀 An astronaut mascot from Hyperspace Rocket Designs & Tea Bar toured several Main Street shops on a recent Saturday. See the post.
🚧 The shared-use path along MD 27 connecting sections of the Westminster Community Trail is 65% complete, per the state highway administration, with paving expected to begin later this month and be completed this fall. See the post, then read the Westminster Wire story to learn the project's history.
🥃 Covalent Spirits marks National Rum Day with a Caribbean-themed party Saturday, 12–10 p.m., including free rum tastings while supplies last. The shop also hosts Thursday's Carroll Biz Challenge after-party, 9–11 p.m.; show your program book for entry. See the post.
Sponsored by Simple
10K Steps Is a Myth–Try This Instead
When motivation is lacking, jumping into heavy routines is the fastest way to burn out. That’s why millions of people are turning to walking as the foundation of their fitness journey.
Walking lets you enjoy the outdoors, clear your head, and practice mindfulness. It’s simple, sustainable, and can support lasting weight loss if you know how much you need. The “10,000 steps a day” rule is outdated; everyone’s lifestyle is different.
With Simple, you’ll get access to habit-based coaching that’s helped users lose over 18 million pounds. Take the quiz to discover your personalized walking target.
Tuesday's car fire in a downtown Westminster parking lot behind 15 East Main Street. Image courtesy of Matt Boden
🚗 Downtown Car Fire Ruled Accidental, Caused $55,000 in Damage
A vehicle fire that broke out Tuesday afternoon behind 15 East Main Street has been ruled accidental, according to Westminster Fire Department public information officer Kevin Dayhoff. Firefighters were dispatched at 2:50 p.m. and had the fire out by 3:05 p.m., Dayhoff said. According to Dayhoff, the Office of the Maryland State Fire Marshal determined that the fire started in the engine compartment of a 2021 Subaru Forester while it was in motion, damaging four other vehicles and causing an estimated $55,000 in damage. No injuries were reported, including among firefighters, Dayhoff said.
🎸 Four Bands, One Laundromat: Amy's Laundry Hosts a Show Friday
Fine Tuned Presents and The Garage bring four bands, Sam Elmore, Soul Meets Body, Somebody's Daughter and Nimrod's Sun, to Amy's Laundry, 271 E. Main St., this Friday, Aug. 14. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., music at 7, inside the working laundromat. Tickets are pay-what-you-can, $15 to $25, through Promotix. Organizer Jake Fine said the venue fits his efforts to stage shows in unconventional spaces around town.
A conversation in 2021 has grown into a 100-author book festival at the Carroll County Farm Museum, set for Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jodi Picoult headlines, touring in support of her novel Hollow Bones; a 300-ticket premium package for her session sold out immediately. The lineup also includes Rachel Renée Russell, Richard Chizmar, Sarah Pekkanen, Chanel Cleeton, Alma Katsu and dozens more across five stages. General admission is free. A committee of local booksellers, the county library and Penguin Random House organized it.
Thanks for reading. Have news? Submit details here.
— Westminster Wire