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Happy Saturday night, Westminster!
The rain has put a damper on Fallfest and live music has been canceled for Saturday night, though some activities are still on. Sunday activities have been canceled, except maybe for the rides, Mayor Mona Becker said on Facebook. Stay tuned to her on Facebook and Instagram for more details.
Hopefully you had a chance to check out the Fallfest parade on Thursday, which was over an hour long and filled with community organizations from Westminster and the surrounding area. There was also Westminster After Dark on Friday night that lit up Main Street, with live music from acts like Shamboogi. Over in City Park, The Amish Outlaws put on a show for the Fallfest crowd.
Rain or shine, there’s plenty happening around Westminster over the next week.
Let's get into it.
👀 Around Town
🎂 Looking for live music tonight? Covalent Spirits is celebrating Scott the bartender’s birthday today until 10 p.m., with David Sparrow playing 7–10 p.m. There's free birthday cake and treats, plus a pumpkin spice drink and a Painkiller cocktail that’s leaving the menu soon. See the Facebook post.
🍕 Vinny's Pizza in the TownMall of Westminster is reopening Oct. 1, according to a sign posted at the restaurant. See it on Facebook.
🚧 MD 27 shared-use path update: MDOT told Westminster Wire that storm drain work begins the last week of September. A manhole at Structure #3 was recently raised so grading can move ahead. Grading is scheduled for October, then paving between the structures, with substantial completion expected in late fall. MDOT cautioned that late-season paving depends on the weather, so that date could shift. Read it on Facebook.
🏬 The empty storefront next to Sushi Q5 in Carroll Plaza has a "For Lease" sign up. We asked what should go there and got 137 comments. Top wishes: a NY-style bagel shop, a Mediterranean or kebab spot, an ice cream parlor and a bakery with evening hours. See the Facebook post.
👻 Carroll County Recreation and Parks' Haunted History Hike at Hashawha is a roughly 2-mile after-dark trek with animatronics, costumed characters, spooky skits and historical stories, Friday, Oct. 2, or Saturday, Oct. 3, 7–9 p.m. It starts at Bear Branch Nature Center (300 John Owings Rd.). Cash donations will be collected for Hashawha's Raptor Ambassadors. Pre-registration is required and separate for each night. Full story.
🧵 Sew 'N Sweep (400 N. Center St.) is hosting Stitch or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 17, 6–8 p.m. Come stitch, create and treat. Event info.
🍹 The Junebug at Collision Course on Main Street is a mocktail of blackberry, peach ginger beer and mint that had people talking on Instagram and Facebook. Readers also recommended the mocktails at Covalent Spirits, Liquid Library and Brewery Fire Taphouse. Find websites for all those Westminster spots here: Collision Course · Covalent Spirits · Liquid Library · Brewery Fire Taphouse.
🎃 Rita's Closet (TownMall of Westminster, across from The Bridge) says its Halloween rack is back, in case you're putting together a one-of-a-kind costume. Readers tell Westminster Wire it’s a good spot to look for homecoming dresses as well. Store info.
☕ Do we now have a coffee district? Another coffee shop is coming to the Main Street corridor: we recently told you about Dark Horse Roasters and now a "coming soon" sign for Runway Coffee Roasters has gone up in the window of the building at the corner of Main and Bond streets downtown (see above). No opening date has been announced.
🎉 Westminster Wire's Facebook page passed 8,000 followers this week. Thank you for your support there, on TikTok and Instagram. Westminster Wire is now on YouTube, too!
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Rainy day? Head indoors for VR, bounce houses and $5 student movies
The TownMall of Westminster has several ways to wait out the weather: virtual reality games at Another World VR, an indoor play space at The Fun & Fit Factory, and new releases at R/C Westminster Movies 9, where students with a school ID get $5 tickets through Oct. 8.
Carroll Book Festival sets 2027 date
More than 6,500 people came to the first Carroll Book Festival on Sept. 19 at the Carroll County Farm Museum, according to the Carroll County Public Library. The festival will return Saturday, Sept. 18, 2027. The library thanked Penguin Random House, the main stage sponsor, along with its other sponsors and partners. See the Facebook post.
Friday night football: two 38-0 shutouts
Both Westminster high schools won 38-0 on Sept. 25. Westminster beat Liberty at home, and Winters Mill beat Manchester Valley at home. Elsewhere in the county, Century beat South Carroll 24-21 in double overtime, and Francis Scott Key won 12-9 at Tuscarora. Scores via CCPSCORES on Facebook.
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— Westminster Wire