The Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore was the site of OTD’s Summer Blogger Bash on May 12. The event brought together bloggers from the travel, culinary and parenting fields with representatives from 16 county destination marketing organizations and “high touch” artisan manufacturers from across Maryland. In addition to opening connections with DMOs, the Blogger Bash showcased Maryland food and libations through a partnership with the Maryland Wineries Association, the Brewers Association of Maryland and the Maryland Distillers Guild.

This was the third Blogger Bash hosted by OTD and was focused on summer travel opportunities and unique products from across Maryland. Bloggers in attendance were also eligible for travel packages designed to encourage exploration, which were supplied by participating DMOs. Since the inaugural Blogger Bash in June of last year, there has been an expansion of Maryland's footprint in the important travel blogger community, and this has become a valued event for regional bloggers. "We've seen significant engagement with our social media channels, and the writers left excited about Maryland travel opportunities," says Leslie Troy, communications specialist, Maryland Office of Tourism Development. “The event has become very popular with the blogger community, and we quickly reached our attendance capacity."

Two familiar sights for Maryland residents and travelers are set to once again welcome travelers. The Youghiogheny Overlook Welcome Center on I-68 in Friendsville and the Bay Country Welcome Center on Welcome Center Drive in Centreville were closed more than six years ago. But thanks to Governor Larry Hogan’s commitment to showing that Maryland is open for business and his dedication to the state’s $16.4 billion tourism industry, both facilities are reopening.

"The reopening of these welcome centers is critical to Maryland's thriving tourism industry and provides an important service to thousands of visitors each year,” said Governor Hogan. “The professionalism of our welcome center staff and their extensive knowledge of the state’s unique attractions ensures that our visitors have a positive experience and will encourage them to return to our state again and again.”

Baltimore-born-and-based filmmaker, Johns Hopkins University graduate, and winner of a 2016 Baker Artist Award, Matt Porterfield, will soon begin shooting “Sollers Point,” his fourth feature film, on location in Maryland. Porterfield’s first three films “Hamilton,” “Putty Hill,” and “I Used to be Darker,” were all shot in Maryland with the assistance of the Maryland Film Office. “Sollers Point,” which stars Baltimore native McCaul Lombardi and Jim Belushi, will be an important job creator in Maryland’s film industry.

The Maryland Traditions Folklife Festival is an annual celebration of traditional arts, music, crafts and foods that highlight Maryland's rich cultural heritage. This year's festival will be held Saturday, June 4, from noon-8pm at The Creative Alliance in Baltimore, and will feature a headlining performance by R&B vocalist Winfield Parker as well as performers from the Afro-Cuban, Ethiopian, honky-tonk, African-American gospel, Nepali and klezmer musical traditions. Other performances include traditional Polish dancing and dance battles set to Baltimore Club music. Craftspeople will engage in on-site Chesapeake skipjack restoration, Globe poster printing, blacksmithing, Norwegian rosemaling, duck decoy carving, basketry, and Baltimore screen painting. Kid-friendly workshops include pinata making, Cambodian jewelry making, storytelling, an all-day series of marbles tournaments guided by members of Cumberland's champion marbles game players, and, of course, traditional food.

"The Folklife Festival celebrates the people and the cultural institutions that seek to preserve the past for future generations," says Theresa Colvin, executive director, Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC). "Traditions bring people together, whether it's through family customs or by passing on music and art forms from the past. MSAC is pleased to support these statewide arts organizations and individual artists, and thank them for sharing their diverse talents and enriching our communities."

Each week, the Maryland Minute provides highlights and insights on this weekend’s events around the state. Maryland Minute is featured on CBS radio stations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and on Baltimore’s WBAL-AM 1090.