thursday,may 2, 2013 - County Times - Southern Maryland Online

The County TimesThursday, May 2, 2013 26Every Steppin’ Out Weekend there’s tonsto do in Leonardtown! Find sales, specials,coupons, giveaways and activities at thesefine participating establishments.Allen’s Homestead/Corncrib StudioBellarus BoutiqueBest Western Plus Hotel Park AvenueBig Larry’s Comic Book CaféBrewing GroundsCafé Des ArtistesCraft Guild ShopCrazy for EweFenwick Street Used Books & MusicFriends of the Leonardtown TheaterThe Front Porch RestaurantFuzzy Farmers MarketThe Good EarthGuenther’s BistroThe Hair CompanyKevin’s Corner KafeLeonardtown Arts CenterLeonardtown GalleriaMaryland Antiques CenterNorth End GalleryOga’s Asian CuisineOld Jail MuseumOlde Town PubOlde Towne StitcheryOpal Fine ArtPatuxent Adventure CenterPort of Leonardtown WineryQuality Street Kitchen and CateringThe Tea RoomTudor HallYellow Door Art StudiosYe Olde Towne CafeFind complete info and downloadmoney-saving coupons atwww.visitstmarysmd.com/steppinoutFiesta Friday,Parade HighlightSteppin’ Out This WeekBy Alex PanosStaff WriterLeonardtown will have a Latin feel toit this weekend, as the Steppin’ Out in Leonardtowncampaign turns the square into aCinco de Mayo fiesta.The weekend is not geared toward beinga historical event recognizing Cinco deMayo, said Leonardtown Event CoordinatorMaria Fleming, but rather to promote theMexican holiday’s party atmosphere.She believes the food, music and fiestaflavor in town square on Friday are bound tocreate a giant party.Ritmo Cache’, College of SouthernMaryland’s (CSM) premier Latin ensemble,will perform variations of Latin music includingCuban, Latin-jazz and reggae.Fleming recommended the group afterseeing them advertised in the CSM eventcalendar.“I thought they would add a lot of colorto the event,” Fleming said, adding she is excitedto see the variety of music they bringto the table.Carol Picon, chair of the First FridayCommittee, says kids will enjoy their ownparty atmosphere on Friday, making artsand crafts – such as noise shakers and ribbonwands – on the square in an activity tenthosted by St. Mary’s Macaroni Kid.Picon added, the weekend brings in diversityto Leonardtown, and showcases differentmusicians, performers, professors andcommunity members in St. Mary’s County.Individuals such as poet Jose Ballesteros,a teacher of language and cultureat St. Mary’s College of Maryland, will beon hand at Fenwick Street Used Books andMusic reading poems from his book PolvoEnamorado/Lovedust.According to Joe Orlando, owner of thebook store, the poems describe themes oflove, death and the process of migration.The fiesta weekend will culminate onSunday, with the Southern Maryland VolunteerFiremen’s Association Convention Paraderolling through Fenwick and Washingtonstreets.The annual parade does not incorporateLatin flavor, said Shirly Copado, the group’sincoming president, but will have around 200pieces of rescue equipment from southernMaryland, Prince George’s and Anne Arundelcounties as well as Virginia.It’s a great chance for children who enjoyfire trucks to see some “big, small andbig-big” trucks up close, Copado continued,making it a perfect family event for a Sundayafternoon.After the parade rescue squad memberswill compete in a series of games, includingbattle of the buckets and a tug-o-war, at thecarnival lot of the Leonardtown firehouse –Copado says the public is encouraged to comewatch the events.The association will also be holding amemorial service at St. Mary’s Ryken HighSchool to honor rescue squad members whohave passed away within the last year, beginningon Saturday at 2 p.m.Visit stmarysmd.com for more informationon specials in Leonardtown throughoutthe weekend.Fiesta Friday begins at 5 p.m. on May 3.alexpanos@countytimes.netCOnGRATuLATiOnS LEOnARDTOwn!Maryland Life Magazine’s 2013 Free State’s Finest Winner for:Finest Historic TownFinest DowntownEditors Pick: Best Shopping Area