BiggerPockets

Halloween Haunted Barn and Hayride at Anne Arundel Fairgrounds

Monday, October 11

October is time to enjoy all things spooky.  What better way to celebrate than to bring your little ghoul  and goblins to the Halloween Haunted Barn and Hayride at the Anne Arundel Fairgrounds in Crownsville?  Beginning Friday, October 15th and continuing every weekend through October 31st, Anne Arundel Fairgrounds will host the best family-oriented haunted house and hayride in Maryland. 

HOURS OF OPERATION
October 15 - Open 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
October 16 - Open 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
October 17 - Open 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
October 22 - Open 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
October 23 - Open 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
October 24 - Open 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
October 29 - Open 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
October 30 - Open 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm
October 31 - Open 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Tickets are just $10 per person.  Children ages six and under are free.  If you have a group of 10 or more people, you can receive a $1 discount per ticket, as long as you buy them all at the same time.  The Anne Arundel Fairgrounds are holding a ticket giveaway for a family 2-pack (a $20 value).  All you have to do is enter online here using your email address and you will be entered into the drawing.  Only one entry per household is allowed and all contestants must be at least 18 years old to participate.

If you're looking for great family fun in the Annapolis area, make sure to check out the Halloween Haunted Barn and Hayride at Anne Arundel Fairgrounds beginning this weekend and continuing every weekend through October.  Your little goblins are sure to scare up a good time!

Curt Hess, your Annapolis real estate specialist

Annapolis Boat Shows

Monday, October 04

Two Annapolis Boat Shows take place over the next couple of weeks: the 41st Annual US Sailboat Show and the 39th Annual US Powerboat Show.  The Sailboat Show happens Thursday, October 7th through Monday, October 11th while the Powerboat Show takes place on Thursday, October 14th through Sunday, October 17th.

There will be a Navy home football game on Saturday, October 16th so parking won't be available on that day.  However, every other day that the boat shows are going on, you can park at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium on Route 50, Exit 24 for just $10 per day.  There will be a free shuttle available from the stadium parking lot to the boat show as well.  The shuttle will operate between 9am and 6pm Monday through Friday and 10am to 6pm on the weekends.  Shuttle stops include Church Circle, US Naval Academy Gate 1 and City Dock.

On the 16th, the shuttle will be available every 1/2 hr from the Court of Appeals Building (Taylor Ave and Rowe Blvd).  Parking for that day only will be available at Route 50, Exit 22/Aris T Allen Blvd.  Parking is again $10 for the day and the last shuttle will return one hour after the Powerboat Show ends.

Parking is also available at the following garages and parking lots:

• City Dock/Susan Campbell Park - Near Spa Creek, metered parking
• Fleet Parking Lot - Next to Fleet Reserve Club, metered parking
• Donner Parking Lot - Near City Dock, metered parking
• Noah Hillman Parking Garage - 150 Gorman St, call 410-267-8914 for more info
• Gotts Parking Garage - Historical District off Main St, call 410-263-9749 for more info
• Whitmore Garage - 37 Clay St, call 410-222-1150 for more info
• Knighton Garage - Colonial Dr & West St, discount parking after 8pm, call 410-263-7170 for more info
• Larkin St Lot - Off City Lane, metered parking
• South St Garage - Across from Courthouse
• Bladen St Garage - Free parking available 6am to 6pm Monday through Friday and all day on the weekends
• Park Place Garage - At Westgate Circle
• Stadium Park & Ride - At Westgate Circle

There are plenty of restaurants available in the area to have lunch and/or dinner at when you attend the boat shows.  Whether fresh Maryland seafood, Mexican tapas, Japanese, Thai, upscale fine dining or light cafes are your choice, there's a dining establishment for you!

If you love everything boat-related, come to the Annapolis Boat Shows taking place October 7-11 (US Sailboat Show) and October 14-17 (US Powerboat Show).  You'll have a ton of fun!

Curt Hess, your Annapolis real estate specialist

Fall Craft Festival at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds

Monday, September 27

The Fall Craft Festival takes place at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds this weekend, October 2 & 3, 2010.  Hundreds of hand-made items will be on display and for sale, including hand-made jewelry, clothing, ceramics, leather goods, wood crafts, flower arrangements and photography. 

This year, the festival has added something new to its list of attractions: children's activities.  On both Saturday and Sunday, kids can enjoy the Sponge Bob Moon Bounce, get their faces painted up and see Spiderman roaming around the festival as well as other beloved TV characters.

Special events happening throughout the festival include:

Saturday, October 2, 2010
11:00 am - Teen Talent Contest for kids ages 10-17
1:00 pm - Six String Sing-a-Long with Ellis

Sunday, October 3, 2010
12:00 pm - Scarecrow Making Workshop

In addition to these fun activities, the Maryland State Jousting Championships will be held at the fairgrounds on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 10am.  However, if it rains, the championships will take place on Sunday, October 3, 2010.  There will also be an Antique Tractor Pull on Saturday, but a gate admission fee will be charged to attend.  Just like the jousting competition, the tractor pull will take place on Sunday if it rains.

Bring the family to the Fall Craft Festival at Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds this weekend.  There is much more to the craft fair than simply crafts.  A fun time will be had by all!

Curt Hess, your Annapolis real estate specialist

How to Prepare Your Home for Cold Weather

Tuesday, September 21

With warm summer days turning to chilly fall nights, it's important to get your Annapolis home ready for the temperature change before it's too late.  The following are some ways in how you can prepare your home for cold weather:

1. Shrubbery - Trim all plants that are done flowering for the season so that they are healthy and ready to flower when spring comes round again.  Also, it's a good idea to trim back trees and other non-flowering bushes before winter weather sets in.
2. Add Some Color - Chrysanthemums flower throughout the year.  So, if you still want a pop of color during colder weather, add flower boxes to your windows with Chrysanthemums in them or add them to beautiful flower pots on the front porch.
3. De-Clutter - Store your gardening tools and pool supplies away since you won't be needing them for several months.
4. Make Your Guests Welcome - A new welcome mat and a beautiful natural wreath hung on the door create a warm invitation into your home.
5. Add Storm Windows - One of the largest areas where heat escapes from a house is through window leaks.  Store away your screens and install storm windows.  This can easily be done by you.  When you take down your screens, make sure to clean out the window sills and add a bit of spray lubricant so that the storm windows will simply slide in easily.
6. Gutters - To prepare for more precipitation, including rain and snow, make sure your rain gutters are cleared of all debris so that water can funnel down clearly.  This will help reduce the chances of water/snow buildup which can lead to roof damage and even flooding.
7. Chimney - Now is the time to check your chimney for cracks and damage.  Do a thorough cleaning of the chimney stack so that all built up soot is cleared.
8. Filters - Change your air filters so that your equipment runs more efficiently.
9. Water Heater - Completely drain and refill your water heater to get rid of any sediment that has settled to the bottom of your heater.  This will also ensure that the water heater runs efficiently.
10. Heater - Get your home heater serviced to make sure it runs correctly when the weather starts to chill.

The weather can wreak havoc with your Annapolis home's exterior and interior.  By preparing your home for cold weather, you will help keep your family and your home snug during the cooler weather.

Curt Hess, your Annapolis real estate specialist

New Annapolis Transit System in Place October 2nd

Monday, September 13

There will be a new Annapolis transit sytem in place on October 2nd, 2010.  The new bus systems has been designed as more of an arterial system rather than a "pulse" system that limited the transfer points only to Spa Road.

The fare for the new Annapolis bus transit system will remain $1 per ride and $0.50 for seniors but promises to be more punctual, reliable and convenient by covering much more of the Annapolis area.  The new "purple" routes will operate all day Sunday and each evening from Monday through Saturday from Westfield Mall to Eastport.

As of October 2, 2010, the bus transit routes running through the city will be:

Brown Route - Westfield Mall to Eastport (via Forest Dr)
Stops will include: Old Solomons IslandRd, CopelandRd, Annapolis Marketplace, Newtowne, Robinwood and Bay Forest Center

Gold Route - Edgewater to Arnold/AACC (via Westfield Mall and Bestgate Rd)
Stops will include: South Colony, Maryland Rte 2, Harbor Center, Anne Arundel Medical Center, Rowe Blvd, Church Circle and Ritchie Hwy

Green Route - Westfield Mall to Eastport (via West St)
Stops will include: West Street Library, Compromise St and Church Circle

Orange Route - Downtown Annapolis to Forest Dr (via Spa Rd)
Stops will include: Church Circle, Calvert St, West St, Copeland Rd, Annapolis Marketplace, Newtowne, Hilltop Lane and Robinwood

Purple Route A (operating evenings Monday through Saturday and all day Sunday) - Westfield Mall to Eastport (via Annapolis Town Centre & Church Circle)
Stops will include: Housely Rd, West St Library and Compromise St

Purple Route B (operating evenings Monday through Saturday and all day Sunday) - Westfield Mall to Eastport (via Annapolis Town Centre & Church Circle)
Stops will include: Housely Rd, Forest Dr, Hilltop Lane and Bay Forest Center

Red Route - Westfield Mall to Eastport (via Admiral Dr and Hilltop Lane)
Stops will include: Anne Arundel Medical Center and Annapolis Marketplace

Yellow Route - Westfield Mall to Riva Rd
Stops will include: Housely Rd, Truman Pkwy, Heritage Ct and Admiral Cochrane Dr

The City plans to put up posters and distribute flyers through Annapolis to keep its citizens posted about any new information that comes out.  If you wish to get more information about the various routes or new system, please contact the Transportation Department via phone at 410-263-7964.  The new Annapolis transit system that will be in place October 2nd appears to be a step in the right direction to giving our citizens and visitors access to more areas of the City than ever before.

Curt Hess, your Professional Annapolis Real Estate Consultant