In partnership with
Happy Saturday, Westminster!
Before we dive into the news, a huge thank you to Hey Westminster for a generous $2,000 grant that will be used to further grow Westminster Wire as a local news outlet. If you found us through a Facebook ad this week, those ads were funded by that grant. Check out this great video about Westminster Wire and the Hey Westminster grant; it’s produced by GLBAL media and posted here on Facebook and Instagram.
We also got our first look at some new business coming soon around town — a new sushi restaurant, and something taking shape in the spot formerly occupied by Johansson's. And if you read last week's piece on the new Goddard School, we got a look at the property itself.
There’s also some big news from the Westminster Baseball Association, and more.
Let's get into it.
⚾ Westminster's First 12U Tournament Team in a Decade Wins Its Bracket
For the first time in about ten years, the Westminster Baseball Association fielded a 12U all-star tournament team — and in just its second tournament, the young squad brought home a bracket title, winning the silver bracket at Mayhem on the Mountain in Penmar, Pa. The team, made up of rec-league kids with more than half the roster still 11 years old, swept its doubleheader on Sunday, July 19, topping Mercersburg 11-2 in the semifinal and Smithsburg 10-7 for the championship.
🐾 Woofstock Returns Sept. 19 — Now at Wakefield Valley Park
Mark your calendars, dog lovers: Woofstock is back on Saturday, Sept. 19, and this year it's landing at a new home. The Humane Society of Carroll County will hold Woofstock 2026 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Wakefield Valley Event Center & Park, 1000 Fenby Farm Road in Westminster. The pet-friendly festival raises money for the shelter's animal care and adoption programs.
🎄 Still Time for Christmas in July Downtown
The midsummer holiday cheer isn't over yet. Several downtown businesses are still marking Christmas in July with sales and seasonal treats. KELLY + CO. (185 E. Main St.) is running its lowest prices of the summer through July 31, and Collision Course (61 E. Main St.) welcomes Santa to Sunday brunch tomorrow, July 26, 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. We’ve been posting plenty of other Christmas in July options on social media.
Sponsored by LendingTree
Wish your car insurance was pricier? Didn’t think so.
Find out if another carrier could offer you a better rate. Compare your offers all in one place and get your best rate on LendingTree. Just answer a few questions and get your quotes in a matter of minutes.
🎶🎶 Last Free Sunday Concert — Tomorrow
Westminster Recreation & Parks closes out its Summer Sunday Concert Series tomorrow, July 26, at the Wakefield Valley Park Event Center, running 6–8 p.m. Headlining the finale is American Darling, an Edgewater, Md. band that blends soul, rock, and traditional blues (motto: "I'd rather be greezin'"). It's free with no registration, and a food truck and snowball truck will be on-site — so grab a chair, a blanket, and a cooler and catch the last one of the summer.
🏡 Durbin House Open House — Tuesday, July 28
The City of Westminster is throwing a party for the newly restored Durbin House. Built in 1767, the historic building has been beautifully renovated and will eventually serve as Wakefield Valley Park's visitor center. The celebration runs Tuesday, July 28, from 4–5 p.m. at the Durbin House, 1001 Fenby Farm Road. Expect a front-porch concert by the trio Sparrow, Wile, and Lanette, free food (hot dogs, chips, watermelon, and apple pie), plus giveaways and kids' crafts. It's free and open to the public.
👀 A Look at What's Taking Shape Around Town
We've been out and about a lot, and there's plenty in the works worth a peek. We’ve been sharing some photos and videos on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Here’s what’s happening.
Coming soon to 172 East Main Street: Sushi San.
A new sushi restaurant is coming together in the former Rare Opportunity Bakehouse space for anyone looking for a new sit-down option right downtown. A little way down Main Street, we also gave you an early look at what’s next for the space formerly occupied by Johansson's through a liquor license hearing notice.
A hearing notice in the window of what was formerly Johansson’s Dining House. The names attached to the liquor license application make for exciting news for Liquid Library fans.
If you caught last week's story on the Goddard School signing on at 404 Malcolm Drive, here's a look at the property where that will be built.
Construction watchers can also see how the new turf field at Carroll Community College is progressing. That will be the first publicly owned turf field in the county.
A July 23, 2026, overhead shot of the Carroll Community College turf field and track, courtesy of Free State Aerial.
Finally, if you’re looking for a new spot to take the kids, check out this video of the recent addition to the Tahoma Farm Park Playground: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok.
That's the wrap. Know something we should cover? Submit news here.
— Westminster Wire
Sponsored by Morning Brew
Join over 4 million professionals who start their day with Morning Brew — a free daily newsletter on business, finance, and tech that's actually fun to read. Try it for free.