🍦An important note on mail-in ballots

Good morning, Annapolis. If you would like to make space in your day to honor the 2,977 victims of 9/11 – especially the 343 NYC Fire Department and Fire Patrol, 71 law enforcement officers, and 55 military personnel – Heroes Pub always opens at 9 AM. There are toasts at 9:59 and 10:28 to mark the times each tower fell. Never forget.

In today’s Naptown Scoop:

Let’s get to it.

— Lauren Burke Meyer, Dylan Roche, & Duffy Perkins

Annapolis Mall is proud to host the Together in Teal Walk to End Ovarian Cancer on Saturday, September 21. This inspiring event unites survivors, families, and supporters in raising awareness and critical funds for research, education, and support programs.

Join the movement and take meaningful steps toward a future without ovarian cancer. Whether you walk in honor of a loved one, to support the cause, or simply to stand with the community, your presence matters.

The walk is more than an event — it’s a chance to connect, reflect, and make a difference.

🗓 Saturday, September 21
📍 Annapolis Mall

Registration is Free! Join us and be part of the teal wave of hope and strength.

The nominations are in. And, on Wednesday, October 15, the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County hosts the 25th Annual Annie Awards Ceremony at Maryland Hall. The free event honors community members in nine categories — Arts Education, Arts Leadership, Arts Maverick, Arts Patron, Historic Arts, Literary Arts, Performing Arts, Visual Arts, and Lifetime Achievement. Since 2000, the Annie Awards have celebrated individuals whose contributions have made a lasting impact on local arts. The evening includes an awards program on the main stage followed by a reception in the Bowen Theatre. Reserve your seat today.

Are you voting by mail in the Annapolis City Primary Election? You might still be waiting to receive your mail-in ballot, or maybe you’re tracking your ballot and seeing it hasn’t been received yet — or maybe it’s even been mailed back to you.  The Anne Arundel County Board of Elections is aware of these problems and working with the US Postal Service to resolve it. So, what does that mean for you? Good question:

If you requested a mail-in ballot but don’t get it by Sept 16, you should vote in person at your assigned polling location.

If you see that your mail-in ballot delivery has been delayed, you may need to fill out a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots will only be counted if your mail-in ballot does not reach the Board of Elections by Sept 23.

If you have a mail-in ballot but have not mailed it yet, you should return it to your assigned polling place or via drop box:

🗳️ Ward 1: City Council Chambers (161 Duke of Gloucester Street)
🗳️ Ward 2: Busch Library (1410 West Street)
🗳️ Ward 3: Mt. Olive Community Life Center (2 Hicks Avenue)
🗳️ Ward 4: American Legion Post #141 (1707 Forest Drive)
🗳️ Ward 5: Pip Moyer Center (273 Hilltop Lane)
🗳️ Ward 6: Eastport Community Center (1014 President Street)
🗳️ Ward 7: Eastport Library (269 Hillsmere Drive)
🗳️ Ward 8: Eastport VFC Hall (914 Bay Ridge Avenue)

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This is not a drill, people. The boat shows kick off in three weeks! It’s when strolling City Dock feels like stepping into a living postcard — salty air on your skin, beautiful boats all around, and thousands of well-dressed folks who share the same passion as you.

The Annapolis Powerboat Show runs Oct 2–5, followed by the Annapolis Sailboat Show on Oct 9–12. Hours for both weekends: Thursday—Saturday 10 AM–6:30 PM; and Sunday 10 AM–5 PM.

It's your chance to tour boats, check out gear and attire, take workshops, or even test drive a boat. Personally, we’re dreaming of the floating VIP tent that’s “an oasis” complete with an open bar, drool-worthy food, cornhole, and most important, seating. We know boat shows can be intimidating. These guides will help you know before you go!

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

FRIDAY

Parole | Food Truck Friday | Half a dozen food trucks post up because you didn’t want to cook anyway | 4–8 PM

SATURDAY

Severna Park | Severna Park Farmer’s Market | Saturday mornings are for farmer’s markets | 8 AM to Noon

Downtown Annapolis | Keels & Wheels | Classic cars, boats, and motorcycles on display at the Annapolis Yacht Club (open to public) | 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Crownsville | Wildberry Fall Field Market | Dozens of local vendors at an outdoor market | 9 AM – 12 PM

Back Creek | Capital SUP warehouse sale | Deep discounts on shallow draft watercraft like kayaks, SUPs, and accessories | 10 AM – 1 PM

Admiral Heights | 35th Annual Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival | Live music, lots of food, arts and crafts, and children’s activities | 10 AM – 7 PM

Parole | Greetings From Naptown Pop-up Market | HERE. a pop-up shop and Stronger Together Collective host local vendors at Annapolis Town Center | 10 AM – 3 PM

SUNDAY

Quiet Waters Park | Annapolis Run for The Light House | I know it says run but the 5K and half-marathon are sold out so the only option left is to walk 1 mile | 9 AM

Admiral Heights | 9/11 Heroes Run | Run or ruck a 5K or 1 mile to honor heroes of 9/11 and support the Travis Manion Foundation | 11 AM

Parole | Annapolis Vintage Market | Vintage Vibe Finds and Artfully Acquired team up to host 15 curated vendors plus a food truck | 11 AM – 5 PM

ALL WEEKEND (PLUS THURSDAY)

Crownsville | Anne Arundel County Fair | Ride the rides, see the animals, eat the food. There’s no week like fair week

Downtown Annapolis | Annapolis Songwriter’s Festival | Dirty Heads, Steep Canyon Rangers, and dozens more singer-songwriters. Many concerts are free

ALL WEEKEND

Parole | Anne Arundel County Farmers’ Market | Everything tastes better when it’s local

Sandy Point State Park | Maryland Seafood Festival | Loads of seafood, local shopping, live music, and so much more (like BMX stunts)

Sold out:

🐴 Maryland Renaissance Faire
🥒 Annapolis Pickleball Club Bay Capital Mortgage Open

The Annapolis Dragon Boat Club hosts its annual DragonFest, a fundraiser featuring live music, raffle prizes, local food (oysters!), adult bevvies, and more. There are even activities for the kiddos. October 11, Noon - 4 PM at Pier 4 Marina in Eastport. Admission is free.

🐉 The Annapolis Dragon Boat Club is an organization dedicated to building healthy bodies, spirits, and community for those impacted by breast cancer.

Nothing in this section is sponsored. They're just the things you need to know. I'll always let you know when something's sponsored.

The September 8th City Council meeting was a mix of applause, debate, and some hot-button decisions.

Celebrations first. The Boatyard Bar & Grill earned a city citation for helping out during an emergency fuel tank removal. Chick & Ruth’s Delly got a rousing 60th anniversary tribute — proof that crab cakes and colossal milkshakes really do unite Annapolis.

Retirements next. Aldermen Sheila Finlayson and Ross Arnett were honored for 18 years of service. Both are stepping down, leaving big shoes—and bigger legacies—behind.

The agenda turned weighty with hearings.

Mayor Buckley touted the groundbreaking of Robert Eades Park, smoother permitting, and a second Navy football win. He also reminded everyone: The Democratic primary election day is September 16th. Because of the number of candidates, Republicans and Independents don’t vote until the general election.

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77 🌡️ 62 | ⛅ | 18% | NNE 6 mph (5 knots)

79 🌡️ 63 | 🌤️ | 5% | 💨 NE 8 mph (7 knots)

💧🌡️ Water temperature = 73ºF
Temperature readings taken from the mouth of the Severn River the night before publication

🌳🎵 = Outdoor Concert

49 West | Annapolis Round Up | 7:30–10 PM
🌳🎵 AMM | September Sunsets | John Frase Project | 6–8 PM
Annapolis Songwriters Festival | See lineup | All Day
Blackwall Hitch | Dave Tieff | 6–9 PM
Brian Boru | Aaron Hawkins | 6–9 PM
Killarney House | Doug Segree | 6–9 PM
Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen | Jordan Sokel | 5–8 PM
Market House | Faith & the Faithful | 7–10 PM
Maryland Hall | Steep Canyon Rangers | 8 PM | Tickets
Pirates Cove | Jason Bishop | 6–9 PM
The Point | Bryan Ewald | 5–8 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Federico Tubaya Jazz Band | 5 PM

49 West | Jeff Muller & Friends | 7:30–10:30 PM
Annapolis Smokehouse & Tavern | Wildflowers | 8:30 PM
Annapolis Songwriters Festival | See lineup | All Day
Blackwall Hitch | Dana B | 4–7 PM
Blackwall Hitch | The Wet Cowboys | 9–12 PM
Brian Boru | Aidan and Bryan | 7–10 PM
Calvert Street Stage | Dirty Heads w/ Ballyhoo! & Wheeland Brothers | 5:45 PM | Tickets
Captain’s Daughter | TBA | 5–7 PM
The Choptank | Shelby Blondell | 8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Neel Madan | 5–8 PM
Coconut Joe’s | Sister Midnight | 9 PM
Great Frogs | Charles Kavoossi | 5:30–8:30 PM
Killarney House | Pete Best | 7:30–10:30 PM
Libbey’s Coastal Kitchen | Dave Hawkins | 5–8 PM
The Lodge | Grayson Moon | 8–11 PM
Market House | Wake Zone Music | 8:30–11:30 PM
Middleton Tavern | The Noelle & Jeff Band | 10 PM
Old Stein Inn | Ryan Keith & Thomas Coster | 7:30–10:30 PM
Pirates Cove | Kurt Gibbons | 7–10 PM
Rams Head On Stage | Jeff Middleton, Dylan Altman, Chris Canterbury, Ronnie Bowman, Anthony Smith, Nick Norman, Jeffrey Steele | 7 PM | Tickets
Rams Head Roadhouse | Music Room | 9 PM
Romilo’s Restaurant and Bar | Shift Work | 7 PM
Severna Park Taphouse | Mac Heat Band | 7 PM
Stan & Joe’s Riverside | Ryan B duo | 4–8 PM
Stan & Joe’s Saloon | Desert Shade | 9:45 PM

Earlier this week, we shared the 2025 high school football preview via the Capital Gazette, but football’s hardly the only sport that has fans cheering this fall. Field hockey season is also underway, and the Capital is making it easy to keep track of all the teams, players, and games. The field hockey preview reflects both public and independent schools, and includes details on how teams did last year, returning players, newcomers to watch, and each team’s outlook for this year. ($)

Men's Soccer (1-2-3)
9/10 @ George Washington | L 1-0

Women's Soccer (6-3)
9/11 vs. Saint Mary's (CA) | 7 PM

Women's Volleyball (2-4)
9/12 vs. Gardner-Webb vs. Le Moyne | 3 PM
9/12 vs. Gardner-Webb | 7 PM

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