Key keywords: Maryland Day 2024, Anne Arundel County events, Maryland historical celebration, Annapolis heritage events, family-friendly Maryland activities, colonial Maryland history, local Maryland community events Maryland Day, observed annually on March 25, honors the 1634 arrival of the first European settlers on St. Clement’s Island, marking the founding of one of America’s earliest colonies and the birthplace of formal religious tolerance in the United States. This year, Anne Arundel County is hosting a packed lineup of events across its historic towns and public spaces to celebrate the state’s unique heritage, with options for history buffs, families, and local residents alike. Kicking off the weekend on March 23, the Annapolis Historic District will host free guided walking tours led by costumed interpreters. Tours run every hour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., highlighting lesser-known stories of colonial life, the state’s role in the Revolutionary War, and the history of the Maryland State House — the oldest continuously operating state capitol building in the U.S. Visitors can also access restricted areas of the State House for the weekend only, including the original 1770s senate chamber where George Washington resigned his military commission at the end of the Revolutionary War. All attendees will receive a free limited-edition Maryland Day pin, while supplies last. For families looking for hands-on activities, the Historic London Town and Gardens in Edgewater is hosting a “Colonial Life Day” event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 24. The event features live demonstrations of 17th-century blacksmithing, open-hearth cooking, and candle-dipping, with interactive stations where kids can try on period clothing, play traditional colonial games, and help plant heritage vegetable seeds to take home. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for kids aged 3 to 12, and free for children under 3. The weekend wraps up on March 25 with the annual Maryland Day Community Fair in Arnold, held at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds. The fair features local food vendors serving classic Maryland dishes including crab cakes, Old Bay-seasoned fries, and sour cherry pie, plus live bluegrass and folk music performances from local artists. Attendees can also browse handcrafted goods from local artisans, meet reenactors portraying key figures in Maryland history including Lord Baltimore and Harriet Tubman, and join a group toast to the state’s 390th anniversary at 2 p.m. Entry to the fair is completely free, with parking available on site for $5 per vehicle. All events are open to the public, with most accessible for guests of all ages and physical abilities.