Wednesday, December 4, 2013

 Southern Maryland welcomes visitors to Charles County this weekend. Ten nonprofit cultural and historical sites have joined together to form the 2013 Charles County Holiday Trail.

The Kris Kringle Christmas Market at the Charles County Fair opens this Friday, December 6th with a tree lighting at 5:30 pm. Modeled after the famous markets in Germany, this is the first outdoor Christmas market in Southern Maryland. Visitors can expect fresh greens, music, art, food, a living nativity, shopping, and more. Admission to the event is one can or one dollar to benefit the Southern Maryland Food Bank.

On Saturday, visitors are invited to return to the Christmas Market or set off to another destination on the trail. Sites open include the African American Heritage Society which houses a collection of memorabilia and vintage kitchenware; Friendship house, a fine example of early tidewater architecture, Mount Carmel of Port Tobacco, home to the Carmelite nuns; the Port Tobacco Courthouse, once Maryland's second largest seaport; the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum which tells the story of Dr. Mudd; and Mount Aventine, an Antebellum House with breathtaking views of the Potomac River.

Each of these sites is family friendly and offers something for everyone to discover.

The trail concludes on Sunday with several of Saturday's attractions open for another day and the addition of two sites in Smallwood State Park: The General Smallwood Retreat House, home to Revolutionary War General William Smallwood, and the Mattawoman Creek Art Center which is holding its holiday salon featuring one-of-a-kind items for sale and several demonstrations.

Come out and enjoy Southern Maryland hospitality, and get into the spirit of the season. For additional details, visit us online at www.charlescountyholidaytrail.com.