For the past three decades, one of the events that defined Summer in Baltimore has been Artscape. This year, Artscape celebrates its 30^th anniversary July 15-17 along Charles Street and Mount Royal Avenue. Over three days, Artscape will draw art aficionados from across the region and up and down the East Coast to see the creative energy of this great American city.

Photo: Edwin Remsberg

Artscape showcases great opera, theater, dance, street performances, and classical and experimental music, in addition to an assortment of music from local and national recording artists on multiple outdoor stages. Baltimore residents and visitors alike can enjoy artwork created by artisans from across the nation, art cars, children's activities, cultural exhibitions (both on and off-site), film, video games, the Janet & Walter Sondheim Artscape Prize, and food and beverages located throughout the site.

Artscape is one of many great and exciting events taking place in what may be one of the biggest summers in Baltimore's recent memory. This weekend, the NCAA Men's Lacrosse Final Four will bring 50,000 sport fans to Baltimore, contributing $18 million in direct economic impact. I hope that the fans and athletes from the University of Denver, which is in its first Final Four, have a memorable weekend in Baltimore and come back soon.

We are also excited for the rejuvenated African American Festival, which takes place July 2-3, and the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix. Baltimore will host some big concerts, including the kick-off concert for Sade's world-tour and U2 at M&T Bank Stadium.

In June, I am happy to welcome the US Conference of Mayors Annual Conference to Baltimore. Hundreds of mayors and their families from across the country will converge on Baltimore to talk about important national policy issues and enjoy the sights, tastes, history, and uniqueness of this great city.

On the heels of the US Conference of Mayors, we will also welcome 3,000 domestic and international meeting planners to Baltimore for AIBTM, The Americas Meetings & Events Exhibition and America Meetings Week, June 19-24. This is a fantastic convention marketing opportunity for Baltimore and our chance to highlight the city's convention package to meeting planners directly during the show. The show will also include 90 international tourism boards--Spain, China, Australia, Ireland, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi to name just a few.

Thanks to this activity, we are seeing positive signs of tourism recovery from our attractions and hoteliers. Hotel occupancy rates are up nearly 10%, and attractions such as the National Aquarium are starting to see significant increases in ticket sales.

To find out more about these and other great family activities taking place in Baltimore City this summer, check out Visit Baltimore, Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts, or the Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks.