Adrian for Laurel

Upcoming City events

Jun 8, 2026 ∞

Register for Laurel Garden Tour this Sat, Jun 13

Do you have a green thumb? Or perhaps simply appreciate the beauty of nature? Or even just looking for a good excuse to get out, meet others, and see your hometown? 🌺🌻🌳

The Laurel Historical Society is hosting a Garden Tour event on Saturday, June 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – a sneak peek from the event organizers:

Take a walk through a sprawling 1.7-acre lot featuring native, rose, vegetable, moon, and rain gardens, as well as a meadow area and greenhouse. Learn about garden beds designed to provide pollinator, bird, and wildlife habitats by a family with educational backgrounds dedicated to preserving wildlife, and certifications from nonprofit groups such as the Audobon Society, the National Wildlife Federation, the North American Butterfly Association, and the Xerces Society. While here, pick up some free wildflower seeds to enhance your own garden (as long as you’re one of the first 25 to visit)!

And not only do you get an enjoyable outing, you’re also supporting the work of the Laurel Historical Society who preserves and shares Laurel’s heritage through education programs, exhibits, and community events.

So get your tickets now (children under 12 free) and experience the thriving natural beauty around our town! 🌞



(Photo: Laurel Historical Society)

Jun 5, 2026 ∞
Join Laurel Elementary Celebrating 100 Today!
1926 - the year Laurel Elementary was founded - 100 years ago: wow!
You can see the original building pictured in the graphic below. And I happened to be chatting with a community member earlier this week who shared that the original building was actually located in front of the current (where the parking lot is now). So the school has been connected to the land since its inception.
The whole community is invited to come on out from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. today to help celebrate and mark the occasion — There’s fun for the kids planned, opportunities to check out how the classrooms have changed over the years, memories shared, and definitely a special moment to be remembered by neighbors new and old - See you there!

Jun 3, 2026 ∞
Kids' Bike Parade next Wed, Jun 10
A fun event every year, next Wednesday, June 10 be sure not to miss Laurel’s Kids Bike Parade event for elementary-aged children co-sponsored by Parks & Rec + Laurel Police.
There’ll be:
• Decorations available for kids to dazzle their bike or scooter, then

• Show off their skills navigating a basic obstacle course, followed by

• A mini-parade up-and-down a closed stretch of Montgomery Street, and

• Capped off by some yummy ice cream!
So come on out to the Laurel Armory at 422 Montgomery Street starting at 6 p.m., bring your wheels + helmet, and have some great summer fun! :)

May 21, 2026 ∞
City Joint Memorial Day Service this Sunday, May 24
Memorial Day Weekend is here! A time certainly for family and food, but also an important time to pause and reflect on those who have died while serving in uniform in the protection of our country.
If you can, I’d encourage you to join the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department, Laurel Rescue Squad, American Legion, and Laurel Police Department this Sunday, May 24 for a memorial wreath laying at each of the memorials at Ivy Hill Cemetery with a short service to follow. It’ll be a great way join with our community to mark the true meaning of the day.
The wreath laying begins at 10:45 a.m. and additional details can be found in the graphic below.
Thank you to all who have served!

May 18, 2026 ∞
First 'City Hall in the Park' *this* Wed, Jun 20
(UPDATE 20 May 2026: Location changed to Partnership Activity Center at 811 5th Street due to expected rain.)
Reminder that the first City Hall in the Park event of the season is this Wednesday, June 20 at Granville Gude Park starting at 6:30 p.m.
The event series brings Laurel’s Department Directors and Elected Officials to you each month over the summer at parks all across parts of town. It’s a great way to receive updates on Laurel, talk directly with City team to answer questions or curiosities you have, share ideas to make Laurel even better, and get to know your neighbors & make new friends. It’s also a good time with snacks, kids activities, and park amenities at hand.
Mayor Sydnor has also shared that this week’s event can serve as a good forum for residents to learn about and share ideas/ feedback related to the spike in youth violence the past couple weeks.
See you there and please come up to say “hello”! 🙂

Apr 22, 2026 ∞

How to Participate in Laurel Preakness 151!

It’s less than a month away! – The famous Preakness Stakes will be run on Saturday, May 16, and for the first time (and perhaps last), it’ll be held at our very own Laurel Park!

This really does mark a historic occasion, and while Laurel Park is technically just outside our City’s incorporated limits, the racetrack has been long been a part of Laurel’s identity through the years.

Folks reached out to ask me how they might take part in the festivities and create some special memories, as well as what City programs are available, so I wanted to put together a rundown of ideas and resources for you:

• The official website of the Preakness Festival has a lot of great information, including how to buy tickets and the many neat events happening in the weeks leading up to Race Day itself.

• One great example is Maryland Horse Farm Tours – A fun, FREE day on Sunday, May 10 for families to connect with horses in the horse farms around Maryland where racehorses are grown and to learn about Maryland’s unique equine history.

• A great opportunity to get a free introduction to the basics of horse racing and to see the races up close and personal is at the Voices of Laurel “Day at the Races” event this Saturday April 25 from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are FREE but RSVP requested to get a head count. Look for the Voices of Laurel reserved tent setup right next to the track itself, and two special races will take place between 1:45 p.- 3 p.m. for the VoL team.

• And for those curious history buffs out there, the Voices of Laurel crew also put together a great history of Laurel Park over time, as well as coverage of what’s next for the racetrack after the Preakness is run this year.

• The City of Laurel is running it’s “Saddle Up, Laurel!" promotional campaign for our town’s small businesses to highlight what makes them special, encouraging them to decorate their storefront, providing promotional posters, encouraging race-themed specials & events, and featuring them throughout City communications. Check out the campaign page linked above and reach out directly to “ecd AT laurel.md.us” for information on how to get involved!

• Keen observers may also have seen the horse racing graphics installed by DPW along Main Street – there’s two locations: one near the City parking lot close to Route 1, and the other near the Laurel Mill Playhouse closer to Route 216. (see picture below)

• Another City-sponsored event: Come out for Movie Night at the McCullough Field/ Sturgis-Moore area on Tue, May 12 at 8 p.m. to watch Secretariat, the acclaimed 2010 movie telling the 1973 story of the ninth horse to win the Triple Crown and who still holds the fastest time records in all three races.

There is more out there, but hopefully this gets you off-and-running to your own Preakness celebration and don’t hesitate to reach out to myself or the City team for any questions!



Apr 22, 2026 ∞
*Tonight* CM Dernoga hosts Md. Legislative Update with District 21
Tonight, April 22 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Laurel-Beltsville Senior Center on Contee, PG County Councilman Tom Dernoga will host representatives from our District 21 State Delegation to provide highlights and recap of the recently concluded Maryland Legislative Session.
Our District 21 representatives Senator Jim Rosapepe, Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk, Delegate Ben Barnes, and Delegate Mary Lehman will present an end-of-session update on the 2026 Legislative Session in Annapolis, followed by a moderated discussion on legislative priorities, local concerns, and available resources. PG Councilmember Wanika Fisher, Chair of the County General Assembly Committee, will also present a County Council committee report.
Doors open at 6 p.m. to allow time for mingling, the main program starts at 6:30 p.m., and should conclude around 7:30 p.m.
I and other members of the Laurel City Council will also be there, so it’ll be a unique opportunity to meet and connect with City, County, and State representatives all in one place at the same time.
You can register online, check out the below flyer for additional detail (en español), just let me know if you have any questions, and’ll hope to see you there!

Apr 17, 2026 ∞
My Committee will be at Laurel Volunteer Fair *tomorrow*, Apr 18
Stop on by the table for the Citizens Advisory Committee for Senior Residents & Persons with Disabilities at tomorrow’s Laurel Volunteer Fair – The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 18 in the gym side of the Multiservice Center and will also feature so many of the great organizations and City volunteer opportunities we have around town.
(Note: The City is also hosting community resource fair and grocery give-away on the Human Services side of the Multiservice Center, so be sure to look for the door based on which (or both) events you’re going to.)
The CAC for Seniors & Persons with Disabilities will have handouts listing City services available to member groups – And we’ll also have feedback forms where respondents can let the City know how it’s doing in being accessible and serving member groups. (All of these should be available digitally soon on our Committee page, but in the meantime, please feel free to email me directly if you’d like a copy or have some feedback for the Committee.)
Thank you to all residents who volunteer to help make Laurel what it is – whether it’s with your church choir, a youth sports coach, with one of our non-profits around town (like Laurel for the Patuxent, LARS, Laurel Historical Society, Women’s Club of Laurel, and more), on a City Committee/ Commission, or more. 🙌
The strength of Laurel is in our people and their connections to others – you are what makes community! 🙂

Apr 10, 2026 ∞
PG District 1 Candidate Forum in Laurel next Thu, Apr 16
The three PG County District 1 candidates are coming to Laurel next Thursday, April 16 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. for a Candidate Forum and it’ll be a great opportunity for you to meet and hear them share their thoughts and ideas to help inform your vote.
The event is hosted by The Laurel Independent and will take place at the Laurel Boys and Girls Club located at 701 Montgomery Street. Admission is free, but online registration is encouraged to help event planners adequately accommodate attendees.
A few helpful background facts:
• The City of Laurel is contained entirely within Prince Georges County, and the City’s residents are represented at the County level as part of its “District 1”.

• The three candidates are Michelle Garcia, Martin Mitchell, and Darwin Romero. You can read some about them in the Independent’s recent article.

• Votes will be cast in Primary Election on June 23 (so only a couple months away). All three candidates are affiliated with the Democratic party, so the Primary Election will effectively determine the results of the General Election on November 3.

• The Primary Election will also include candidates for State and Federal (but not City, which takes place on odd-numbered years).

• More on elections, including how to register to vote and sample ballots (once released), can be found on the Maryland Board of Elections and Prince Georges Board of Elections.
So register online and join with neighbors to meet and discuss who will next represent our County District for the next four years.

Apr 8, 2026 ∞
Join the Parade or Volunteer with the Main Street Festival on May 2!
One of the great spring highlights in the City of Laurel is the annual Main Street Festival hosted by the Laurel Board of Trade! – normally the Saturday of Mother’s Day Weekend, this year the event will take place on Saturday, May 2, with the Parade at 9 a.m. and family fun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on a Main Street bursting with people and life!
The people of Laurel really make the Main Street Festival sparkle, and I encourage you to not only come on down to see the action and have fun, but also consider participating in a variety of ways:
• The parade which kicks-off the day’s celebration is a great opportunity to highlight the many wonderful groups, organizations, churches, associations, and more that make Laurel a vibrant place to live – If you haven’t already, consider submitting an online parade application and help showcase your group to our town so we can see you! (Due no later than April 23.)

• Perhaps you’ve enjoyed many Main Street Festivals before and want to go behind-the-scenes to experience in a new way plus help create the experience for others – Come on out as a volunteer to help with or Kid Zone, be general task runner, and/or setup/ breakdown. Simply choose times you’re available in the online application and turn it into a double-header of having fun and helping make fun for others! (Due no later than April 20, -AND- there’s an exclusive volunteer t-shirt and ‘thank you’ dinner for all helpers!)

• And what would Main Street Festival be without it’s vendors? Whether it’s food, crafts, games, churches, businesses, recreational groups, non-profits, or more, thousands walk the streets this day that you can connect with, share, and build community. You can find out more for all the different categories of vendors from the Main Street Festival page, including discounts for merchants located on Main Street. (Due no later than April 17.)
So no matter how you slice it, it’s gonna be fun and you’re gonna want to be there and be a part! 🙂

Apr 2, 2026 ∞
*Today* - Laurel Farmer's Market Kicks-off Season!
It’s back! – Today, Thursday, April 2 marks the official kick-off of the Laurel Farmer’s Market for the 2026 season!
Come on down to the Quill Lot at 378 Main Street each Thursday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (weather permitting) from April 2 to October 29 to enjoy being outdoors, meeting neighbors, and picking up a variety of goods, such as:
• Fresh fruits & vegetables and more from Zahradka Family Farm, Bella Vita Farm, Lavander Farm, and more

• Tasty foods & beverages from Sunshine Creamery, Ali Damra’s Middle Eastern Food, BK Juices, and more

• Baked goods & pastries from Cake’D By Niqua, Stone Hearth Bakery, Gingersnap Jess Cookies, and more

• Great products from Krafty Kre8tions, Coco & Soy Candle Co., Olive Oil 4 Life, and more
For additional details, check out:
• The City’s page for the Farmer’s Market,

• The Trello board showing vendors and performers each week,

• The Farmer’s Market social media posts via Facebook, Instagram, and (https://x.com/lrlmarketonmain)
So you definitely want to make this part of your weekly routine – I know I’ve regularly picked up what my wife calls the ‘best tomatoes’ there, I see folks sitting at the picnic benches enjoying treats they purchased and talking with neighbors, and there’s often music to relax a moment and enjoy the passage of time. 🙂
Come on out and see you there!

Mar 27, 2026 ∞
Correction: 4th of July Yard Sale + Patuxent River Cleanup Date
I realized after-the-fact that I got my weekends mixed up during my Council Report on Monday – I accidentally shared that two events were happening this Saturday, but they’re actually scheduled for next Saturday, April 4. 🤪
1. The first is the 4th of July Indoor Yard Sale fundraiser which always is a nice browse-around for good finds – And if you’re looking to sell, you can also sign-up for table for $25 (with a donation truck on site for anything remaining). The event is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Multiservice Center at 204 Fort Meade Road (Rte. 198). Proceeds to help fund our 4th of July festivities (this year to also highlight our nation’s 250th birthday)!

2. The second is a Patuxent River Cleanup – After you’ve scored a few treasures at the yard sale, swing on down to Riverfront Park to help spruce up our river so it sparkles for spring! Meetup at the park area at the end of Avondale Street and link up with the Patuxent Riverkeepers, Laurel Parks & Rec, and other community groups for what promises to be a beautiful time outside & rewarding time beautifying our City!
Additional details for both events in the graphics below and you can kick-off April with a great day in Laurel!

Feb 25, 2026 ∞
Ladies Night Out next Friday, Mar 6
As part of International Women’s Month in March, Laurel Parks & Rec is hosting a “Ladies Night Out” on Friday, March 6 from 6-8 p.m. at The Mansion at Laurel.
Registration is $10 for residents and I’ve heard rave reviews in past years from attendees – There’ll be interactive games, crafts, cocktails/ mocktails, and light refreshments included. And it’s a great opportunity to get out, meet and make some new friends, plus build community here in Laurel. (Not to mention you’ll get to see one of our historic buildings that’ve been beautifully renovated for settings such as this.)
Check out the graphic below for more info and to sign-up!

Feb 24, 2026 ∞
Vote for Laurel in the "Strongest Town" Competition!
Calling all Laurelites!! 📢 – it’s time to rally the troops and show your hometown pride!
A different type of March Madness is about to take off, and this one’s for Laurel to make its way through five bracket levels and be named “Strongest Town Champion”!
Thanks to the work of Laurel resident Calvin Burns, we’ve already made it past Level 1 – Now we’ve arrived at where voting begins and where you come in: all hands are needed on deck!
• Mar 2 - 13: Week 1 voting – Eight towns will be eliminated, and eight will advance. UPDATE: Here is the voting page for Week 1.

• Mar 16 - 20: Week 2 voting – The Elite Eight will be matched head-to-head, with only four advancing on

• Mar 23 - 27: Week 3 voting – Another head-to-head round, where the Final Four get narrowed down to the Championship Match

• Mar 30 - Apr 3: The Championship Match where One Strongest Town will emerge!
I’ll update this post with voting links as they’re released, and you can also read more about the competition on the Strongest Towns competition page.
You may already be familiar, but Strong Towns (sponsor of the annual competition) is a non-profit powering a movement to help cities, towns, and neighborhoods to take local action to grow safe, livable, and financially resilient communities. They’ve garnered resources, tools, and a membership of people all across the country who are seeking to help impact their own neighborhoods for the better.
What better way to showcase your hometown pride than submitting your vote each week and seeing Laurel claim the championship trophy! 🏆And with the trophy comes a mini-documentary that will showcase the gem of our one-in-a-million City!
UPDATE 16 Mar 2026: Unfortunately Laurel didn’t quite get enough votes in Week 1 to advance, but a HUGE thanks to everyone who made the effort and a great preparation to rally the troops for another run in the future! Thank you to Mr. Burns for submitting us and to all who participated – Laurel truly is a Strong Town and it’s because of our residents: thank you! 😀

Feb 15, 2026 ∞
Black History Month Celebration on Sun, Feb 22
This coming Sunday, February 22, celebrate 100 years of Black History Month with the City from 2 - 3:30 p.m. at the Municipal Center!
There’ll be music, spoken word recitations, guest speakers, presentations and more to celebrate the important contributions of African-Americans to our country’s history and throughout the world.
The City is also hosting an essay contest for elementary and middle school students with the theme, “A Century of Black History Commemorations” asking students to explore and reflect on what Black history means to them and how it continues to shape our future. You can learn more on the essay contest information page and submissions are due to the Mayor by February 18.
More details for the celebration below and hope to see you there!

Feb 9, 2026 ∞

Receive an Update on City's Master Plan work next Thu, Feb 19

The Laurel Historical Society will host a presentation next Thursday, February 19 at 6 p.m. via Zoom to provide residents an update on the work being done on the City’s new Master Plan –

The Master Plan is a document updated every ten years that guides the City’s decisions around commercial development, housing, transportation, environment, historic preservation, public facilities, and more. The Master Plan Committee was formed in January 2025 and has been working with staff and consultants since then to pull together data points, talk through considerations, and distill down decisions into a final document. Once completed later this year, it will be presented to the City Council for consideration and a vote on adoption.

For the presentation, Director Jay Meashey of the Laurel Department of Economic & Community Development will share work completed by the Master Plan Committee thus far and also welcome any questions during the Q&A portion.

You can learn more about the Master Plan on the dedicated Master Plan Update page of the City’s website where you can also find a copy of the 2016 Master Plan, the presentation slides from the kick-off meeting last January providing an overview of the process, meeting lists and resources, and more.

Advanced registration is required, so be sure to sign-up using LHS' meeting link!



(Photo: Laurel Historical Society)

Feb 4, 2026 ∞
Sign-up for Laurel Police Citizen’s Academy by Feb 10
Every participant I’ve talked with has shared how much they enjoyed and appreciated this program, even those who entered with doubts.
The Laurel Police Citizen’s Academy is a 10-week program that shows you the behind-the-scenes of Laurel Police work, including classes on:
• Patrol operations
• K9 units
• Evidence collection
• Crisis negotiations
• Emergency response
• And much more
It’s definitely a hands-on experience taking you to all parts of the City and all parts of the Department, an experience and perspective you literally have to see and be a part of to believe.
Applications are open through February 10 and classes begin February 12 – See the below graphic and reach out to LPD if you’re interested: I can guarantee you’ll truly appreciate being part of this class!

Jan 29, 2026 ∞
New date!: Feb 3 for LBOT Small Business Roundtable
Originally scheduled for earlier this week, the Laurel Board of Trade has rescheduled their annual Business Roundtable with the City of Laurel for this coming Tuesday, February 3 from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Municipal Center.
Not only is this a great opportunity to connect with other small businesses owners to share, learn, and fellowship, it’s also a great opportunity to connect with City officials to discuss how best to support small businesses in our town and to get your practical questions answered.
Confirmed attendees include Mayor Sydnor, Economic & Community Development Director Meashey, Police Chief Hammil, IT Director Cornwell-Shiel, and more.
And I’ll be there as well! – please come up to say “hi”, share about your small business, help swap ideas on continuing to cultivate a strong small business community here in Laurel!

Jan 14, 2026 ∞
City marking MLK Jr. Day on Jan 16 & 19
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is coming up next Monday, January 19 and the City will be marking in two special ways:
1. With a wreath placement at the City’s memorial outside the Municipal Center this Friday at 4 p.m., and

2. With a day of service on Monday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Multiservice Center. The event will open with meaningful program at the start, then be followed by the assembly of care packages for seniors.
More information below and see you there!

Jan 13, 2026 ∞
Reminder: Free Christmas tree Pickups on Weds in January
For all you live Christmas tree lovers out there (our family included) 😀, don’t forget the City will do free pickups of your trees every Wednesday during the month of January.
No scheduling necessary as long as you place at your curb , but if possible, you’re encouraged to call 301-725-0088 to log your address.