How is it possibly 2016 already?!? Whether you are prepared to start writing 2016 in lieu of 2015 or not, the new year is here and with it comes a whole new year of Delmarvalous events. The month of January may be a little slower than some of our warm weather months here on Delmarva, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of excuses to escape the house and attend a local event. Bird watching, pottery making, art shows, monster truck shows, oysters, Ted Talks…the Eastern Shore is offering up a little something for everyone this month, so get ready to take a timeout from those Netflix marathons (come one, you can do it) and attend a few January events across Delmarva:
Empty Bowl Project: Bowl Making
When: All month long
Where: Art League of Ocean City
What: The Art League of Ocean City is holding their popular Empty Bowl Project again this year, a local initiative that aims to help alleviate hunger locally while calling attention to all of the empty bowls in the world. For the entire month of January and February, make plans to stop by the ALOC on the allotted dates to create a bowl free of charge to be used as part of the Empty Bowl Project. This year’s Empty Bowl Dinner will be held on March 19. For a $20 donation, guests will enjoy a dinner of soup, bread and desserts donated by local restaurants. You will also get a chance to take home the bowl you made at the end of the dinner.
Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge Mid-Winter Eagle Survey
When: Wednesday, January 6
Where: Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, Cambridge
What: The Mid-Winter Eagle Survey will be conducted in two parts, consisting of a morning, non-roost count from 10am until 10:30am, and an evening, roost count from 4pm until 5:30pm. All volunteers are welcome, regardless of experience or knowledge-level. Both counts are conducted from stationary observation sites that are scattered throughout the sanctuary. Last year, the non-roost count produced 207 eagles and the roost count produced 127.
Big Ideas Art Show
When: Friday, January 8, 5pm-8pm
Where: The Globe, Berlin
What: Berlin Arts & Entertainment invites you all out for their third annual themed art show, to be held once again at The Globe Theatre. This year’s theme is Big Ideas and will include a variety of local artists, with artwork to remain on display for the entire month of January.
2nd Saturday in Downtown Cambridge
When: Saturday, January 9, 5pm-9pm
Where: Downtown Cambridge
What: It’s the first 2nd Saturday celebration of the season in Cambridge! The monthly celebration includes an Art Walk with free gallery receptions, with both galleries and shops staying open later than usual to accommodate shoppers. Live music is available at area restaurants along with plenty of dining specials.
Red Doors Gala and Art Auction
When: Saturday, January 9, 6pm
Where: Fager’s Island, Ocean City
What: The Red Doors Community Center is now selling tickets for their 2nd Annual Red Doors Gala and Art Auction. The event includes fine food and beverages, live entertainment, and an art auction. All proceeds will benefit the Red Doors Community Center at St. Paul’s by the Sea in OCMD. Tickets are $125; $75 of ticket cost is tax deductible.
Indoor Community Yard Sale
When: Saturday, January 9, 7am-noon
Where: Wicomico Youth & Civic Center
What: Winter is the perfect time to go through your garage, attic and/or closet to take stock of what you do and don’t need anymore. Better yet, clean out your house and fill your wallet at the Wicomico Recreation’s Indoor Community Yard Sale. Table and booths are available for sellers (reserve your spot in advance at www.wicomicociviccenter.org) for $15/table and $40/booth. Or attend for some shopping deals! Doors open at 7am to the public and admission is just $2 at the door. Children under 12 are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Taste & Learn Chef Series
When: Monday, January 11 & Wednesday, January 25, 6pm-8pm
Where: Spice & Tea Exchange of Rehoboth
What: The Spice & Tea Exchange of Rehoboth will welcome 2016 with the first two of six evenings of their Taste & Learn Chef Series. The events include a demonstration by an area chef followed by a tasting of each dish prepared. Up first for the month of January (both dates) will be Chef Lisa Difebo-Osias & Co. from DiFebo’s of Rehoboth! Tickets are $45 per person OR opt for the series 3-pack (choose 3 out of 6) for $120. The Taste & Learn Series will continue through March.
Eagle Watch at Pocomoke State Park
When: Saturday, January 16, 23, & 30, 1pm
Where: Milburn Landing, Pocomoke State Park
What: Explore the world of the bald eagle and the bald cypress while cruising the Pocomoke River by boat. Boat rides along the Pocomoke River offer some of the best opportunities for spotting a large number of bald eagles. The event will also include a bird watching hike and live animal displays by Scales-n-Tales, including a juvenile bald eagle. Call 410-632-2566 for pricing and reservations.
East Coast Commercial Fishermen & Aquaculture Trade Expo
When: Friday, January 15(11am-5pm), Saturday, January 16(10am-5pm), & Sunday, January 17(10am-3pm)
Where: Ocean City Convention Center
What: The only commercial fishing expo in the mid-Atlantic region returns to Ocean City in 2016, with plenty of seminars, fishermen gear, equipment and more. For more information, visit www.marylandwatermen.com.
Blood Bank of Delmarva Blood Drive
When: Wednesday, January 20, 8am-6pm
Where: Ocean City Convention Center
What: Ocean City and Blood Bank Delmarva will team up for the 18th year to host their annual blood drive, which has collected blood from 7,576 donors since the event’s inception. With this one blood drive, residents of Ocean City and the surrounding areas can help supply the blood needs of the hospitals on the shore during a critical time of year. Every blood donation can save up to three lives. To schedule an appointment, visit DelmarvaBlood.org. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Lone Star Rodeo: Wild Ride Tour
When: Friday, January 22 & Saturday, January 23
Where: Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, Salisbury
What: The rodeo returns to town at the end of the month as the Lone Star Rodeo crew makes their annual visit to the Wicomico Youth & Civic Center. Tickets are $17 for adults and $13 for children. Rodeo events include Bareback Bronc Riding, Saddle Bronc Riding, Brahma Bull Riding and Cowgirls’ Barrel Racing.
Monster Trucks Winternational and Thrill Show
When: Friday, January 29 & Saturday, January 30
Where: Wicomico Youth & Civic Center, Salisbury
What: Bigfoot, Monster Medic, Tow Mater, Illuminator, Rislone Defender, Saigon Shaker…all of the crowd favorites will return this year for the annual Monster Truck Rally in Wicomico County. Expect to see plenty of racing, wheelie contests, and freestyle car crushing, as well as feature motorcycle daredevil Ed Beckley. The general public will also be invited once again to take part in the Tuff Truck Challenge.
RARtoons
When: Saturday, January 30, 9am
Where: RAR, Cambridge
What: RAR, Downtown Cambridge Maryland’s local craft brewery, will be giving its customers a throw-back of sorts with their ‘Saturday Morning Cartoon’s for Adults’ event. RAR Brewing is inviting their adult patrons (i.e. 21 and over) to join them at 9am for adult beverages, breakfast bar, donut counter and more. Pajamas are encouraged!
Delmarva Winter Birding Weekend
When: Friday, January 29-Sunday, January 31
Where: Various spots across Delmarva
What: Looking forward to spring when the 21st Annual Delmarva Spring Birding Weekend returns? Well, you won’t have to wait as long this year thanks to the addition of a Winter Weekend. Participants will celebrate the amazing warblers, shorebirds, waterfowl and raptors that visit and live on Delmarva while enjoying boat and hiking trips. Registration is now available for the Winter Weekend.
TEDxSBY
When: Saturday, January 30
Where: Headquarters Live, Salisbury
What: Love TED Talks? Then this one is for you. TED has created a program called TEDx – a program of local, self-organized events that brings people together to share a TED-like experience. Locally, TEDxSBY will take place at the end of the month at Headquarters Live with a full day of speeches and programs put on by local experts, entrepreneurs, and locally-minded individuals. A final schedule of speakers has yet to be released but tickets are currently on sale at tedxsby.com.
Bury’ Oyster Fest
When: Sunday, January 31, 2-5pm
Where: Brew River, Salisbury
What: Brew River is primed and ready for their 2nd Annual ‘Bury Oyster Fest! The event features an all-you-can-eat buffet that includes oysters on the half shell, signature baked oysters, fried oysters, pulled pork sandwiches, cole slaw, potato salad and more. Live entertainment will include High 5 Swan Dive. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door (if not sold out), with a portion of the proceeds to be donated to the Wounded Warrior Project.
