With inspiration from the land and sea, visiting artists from across the nation will capture Southern Maryland scenes on canvas during this fall's Solomons Plein Air Festival. 

The festival features 31 artists, selected from a national field of 100 applicants, who will paint throughout Solomons Sept. 12-17. During the "Sunset Quick Draw" from 6-8 p.m. Sept. 14 along the Solomons Riverwalk, artists have two hours to complete a canvas followed by judging, awards and the sale of completed pieces.

Community members may also join plein air artists from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 17 to "Paint the Town for A Cause"

benefiting six charities. The Riverwalk will feature antique and exotic cars for artists to include in their artwork. Anyone participating will have the opportunity to sell their painting, with 40 percent of the sales going to charities.

The festival culminates with an "Affaire of the Arts," open to the public and hosted by carmen's gallery, catered by Kingfishers and held at the Holiday Inn Solomons from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 17.

The Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Art Center will proudly host its 23rd Annual Artsfest Sept. 17-18. The only festival of its 

Enjoy all things whimsical as stilt walkers, mimes, living statues, balloon artists, bubble artists and strolling artists meander with you and your family throughout the festival. The event is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. rain or shine. It's a fabulous weekend of great shopping and artful activities all set among the beautiful grounds at Annmarie Sculpture Garden & Arts Center. Admission is free to members and children 11 years and older. Adults are $6. For more, visit the center online.

Don't miss your chance to enjoy the 15th Annual Calvert County Watermen's Festival Sunday, Sept. 18. Watch as skillful boat captains from all over the Chesapeake Bay area show off their docking know-how during the crowd-pleasing boat docking contests. Speed, agility and precision are on full display as skippers vie to win cash and prizes in a variety of divisions that encompass everything from work boats to charter boats. 

The event kicks off at noon at the Watermen's Wharf, located off Williams Road near the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomons. Food, soft drinks and beer will be available and entertainment will be provided by Broomes Island's favorite daughter Deanna Dove, the Island Girl.

Be prepared to step back in time and experience the traditional sounds, sights and flavors of an old-fashioned country fair in the bucolic setting of Prince Frederick. This year's Calvert County Fair will celebrate the area's rich agricultural history and traditions that began 130 years ago in Smithville (now Dunkirk) on the farm of the county's doctor. What started as a small display of cattle and tobacco in 1886 today includes the many decades of cultural trimmings.

This year you'll see barns of livestock, wood-cutting contests, pig races, a bustling midway full of carnival rides and fair buildings chock full of prized gourds, gigantic pumpkins and award-winning ears of corn. See the fierce competition and intricate details of handmade quilts, pies, canned vegetables and crafts that compete for the coveted blue ribbon and, in some cases, the chance to compete at the Maryland State Fair.

Find an empty picnic table and sink your teeth into a stuffed ham sandwich or devour a basket of succulent fried oysters. Enjoy funnel cakes and fried Oreo cookies while you watch concerts and dance competitions. Win your sweetheart a giant stuffed bear.

In Calvert County, the schools close one day in recognition of a time not long ago when children helped their parents with the harvest and delivery of their family's wares to the county fair. Now it's your turn to mark your calendar for Sept. 28-Oct. 2 and bring your family to the Calvert County fairgrounds located at 140 Calvert Fair Drive. The Calvert County Fair is our heritage. Join us.