Five things to eat, drink, see, hear, and do with your Memorial Day Weekend in Charm City.
EAT
May 26: Lobster Rolls Return to The Corner Pantry
The Corner Pantry, 6080 Falls Road, 667-308-2331, $28
Just when we thought Fridays couldn’t get any better, The Corner Pantry is bringing back a long-awaited summer special to kick-start the warm weekends ahead. Starting on May 26, the Mt. Washington hangout will be serving up classic Maine lobster rolls on Fridays throughout the season. Coast up Falls Road to indulge in chef/owner Neill Howell’s fresh-baked brioche rolls stuffed with hefty heaps (five ounces, to be exact) of poached lobster meat smothered in melted butter. The restaurant provides the requisite pickle and side of fries, but don’t forget to BYOB.
DRINK
May 27-28: Brew at the Zoo
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, 1876 Mansion House Drive, 410-396-7102, $50-55
If the last time you toured The Maryland Zoo was on a grade school field trip, this annual beer-filled fundraiser is the perfect opportunity to check out what’s been going on at the 135-acre park in Druid Hill. While sipping unlimited samples of beer from more than 80 local and national breweries, stroll around the grounds—which house more than 1,500 wild animals—to spot everything from cheetahs and chimps to black-tailed prairie dogs and African penguins (or the new baby giraffe Willow). Plus, indulge in eats from dozens of food vendors, and enjoy a live music lineup featuring the likes of local rockers Kelly Bell Band, Honey Extractor, and Nelly’s Echo.
SEE
May 29: Memorial Ceremony at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens
200 E. Padonia Road, Timonium, 410-666-0490, 10 a.m., Free
Of course, the unofficial start of summer has become synonymous with backyard barbecues and soaking up sun at your newly reopened neighborhood pool. But we can’t forget the true meaning behind Memorial Day—a time to honor our country’s fallen soldiers. At this annual observance at Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, take in the sights of multiple color guard units, hear musical tributes by Maryland Sings and other local performers, visit Maryland’s 9/11 Rolling Memorial, and stick around for a keynote speech by Baltimore native (and Dulaney High School alum) G. Reid Wiseman—the Navy commander and NASA Astronaut who served aboard the International Space Station for a 165-day mission in 2014.
HEAR
May 25-28: DelFest
Allegheny County Fairgrounds, 11490 Moss Ave., Cumberland, 301-729-1200, $35-235
Take the two-and-a-half-hour drive down interstates 70 and 68 to Western Maryland—where DelFest returns with camping, crafts, cold beer, and plenty of bluegrass music this weekend. With the scenic Appalachian Mountains as its backdrop, the annual festival started by legendary country musician Del McCoury boasts a four-day live music lineup spanning three stages at the Allegheny County Fairgrounds. Set up a lawn chair, throw on some shades, and jam to the finger-pickin’ sounds of The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin’ McCourys, along with special guest Dierks Bentley, bluegrass vocalist Sierra Hull, Baltimore boy Cris Jacobs, roots rockers Railroad Earth, and more. The family-friendly fête also includes tons of food vendors, its own arts and crafts fair, and a kids zone with water balloons, scavenger hunts, and environmental education workshops.
DO
May 26: Summer Sounds at the Square Kickoff
Belvedere Square Market, 529 E. Belvedere Ave., 6-9 p.m., Free
Now celebrating its fourteenth season, this neighborhood concert series brings the Belvedere Square community out in droves on Friday nights throughout the summer. To celebrate the kickoff this weekend, bring the whole family to enjoy kid-friendly activities, eats and drinks from all of the market’s merchants (look out for ice cream from Atwater’s, a crawfish boil from Tooloulou, and kombucha by the glass from Hex Ferments), and live music by local alternative rockers Starcrush. Throughout the season, dance along to the sounds of soul and funk group Junkyard Saints, ‘80s cover band The New Romance, R&B performers Essential Vybe, blues band The Honey Extractors, and more.