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Happy Saturday, Westminster. The unofficial start of summer downtown is here: the Downtown Westminster Farmers’ Market kicks off its 30+ year run this morning, Blacksmith Days lights up the forges out at the Farm Museum all weekend, and we got our first details this week on The Double Barrel Tasting Room, a 24-tap wine bar coming to Main Street this fall. We're also already looking ahead to Memorial Day, when one of the country's longest-running parades steps off down Main Street.
A few quick reminders, too — the Master Gardener Plant Sale and Gotham Comics' 23rd Anniversary Sale are both happening today, and Central Carroll Field Hockey's free "Try It" night is this Tuesday.
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— Westminster Wire
🥕 Downtown Farmers’ Market Opens Season Today
The Downtown Westminster Farmers’ Market opens today, Saturday, May 16, and runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon through November 21. Carroll County's oldest continuously running market sticks to a strict producer-only model — vendors must grow or make what they sell — so expect local produce, pasture-raised meats, eggs, artisan breads, roasted coffee, and prepared foods. Find it at the Conway Parking Lot on Railroad Avenue (Route 27), just off Main Street. Local businesses in the area are excited about it too; check out this display Cultivated set up in their store to celebrate the opening of the Farmers Market.
🍷 24-Tap Wine Bar Coming to Main Street This Fall
A new wine bar is coming to downtown. The Double Barrel Tasting Room at 73 W. Main Street, opening this fall next to RockSalt Grille, will be the first business in Carroll County with an automated pouring system — 24 taps offering 0.5-, 2.5-, and 5-ounce pours so guests can sample without committing to a full glass. Co-owners Ashley and James Ratino plan a rotating list of small, family-owned, and local wineries, plus beer, mocktails, iced coffee, and charcuterie. Bottles will be available for retail, and bi-monthly wine classes and private rentals are on the calendar once the doors open.
🔨 36th Annual Blacksmith Days at the Farm Museum — Sat. & Sun.
The Blacksmith Guild of Central Maryland brings its 36th Annual Blacksmith Days to the Carroll County Farm Museum this weekend, May 16–17, with live forging demonstrations, contests, and handmade-tool auctions on the museum's 142-acre grounds. Demos run 9 a.m.–noon and 1–4 p.m. both days. Don't miss the Iron-in-the-Hat drawings (noon each day), the live auction at 5 p.m. Saturday, and a tool silent auction wrapping up on Sunday at noon. Admission is $5 adults / $10 per family, kids under 9 free. 500 South Center Street, Westminster.
🇺🇸 Westminster Memorial Day Parade — Monday, May 25, 10 a.m.
Mark the calendar: Carroll Post 31 of the American Legion hosts the Westminster Memorial Day Parade & Remembrance Ceremony on Monday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to noon in historic downtown — a procession that's been running for more than 80 years and is considered one of the longest consecutively run Memorial Day parades in the country. The parade steps off at 10 a.m. on Pennsylvania Avenue, moves down Main Street, and ends at Westminster Cemetery on Church Street, where a memorial service begins at 11 a.m.
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⏰ Reminders: Don't Miss These
🌱 Master Gardener Plant Sale — Today, May 16, 8 a.m.–Noon
The University of Maryland–Carroll County Master Gardeners' annual Plant Sale and Garden Flea Market runs this morning at Burn's Hall and Pavilion, Carroll County Ag Center, 700 Smith Ave., Westminster. Perennials, annuals, herbs, heirloom tomatoes, native trees and shrubs — all grown by Master Gardener volunteers — plus a garden flea market. Cash and checks only; bring your own boxes (volunteers will help you load up). Master Gardeners on hand to answer questions.
🦇 Gotham Comics 23rd Anniversary Sale — Today, May 16
Day two of Gotham Comics' 23rd Anniversary Celebration is on at 15 East Main Street (lower level of the Winchester Exchange). 15–50% off storewide on graphic novels, manga, roleplaying games, and more, with hourly door prizes (no need to be present to win) and Saturday game demos from 1 to 5:30 p.m.
🏑 Central Carroll Field Hockey Free "Try It" Night — Tuesday
The Central Carroll Recreation Council is hosting a free intro field hockey session at Sandymount Park, Field #3, this Tuesday from 6:30–7:30 p.m. for kids entering grades K–9 in the fall. No experience necessary, no gear required — just show up. A second "Try It" night follows on Thursday, June 18, also 6:30–7:30 p.m. Enjoy a low-commitment way to test the sport before fall registration. Check out Central Carroll Field Hockey on Facebook for more.
That's a wrap. Have a story, event, or tip we should cover? Send it our way.
— Westminster Wire