A low-key good one in WashCo:
Spring has officially entered the chat, and WashCo is giving us a slightly quieter weekend before next week’s Maryland International Film Festival rolls into town. Honestly? Not mad about it. This is the kind of week where you can do something fun without needing a spreadsheet.
Here’s what’s worth your time:
An Evening in Casablanca
Friday, March 20 • Doors open at 5:30 PM • Maryland Theatre, Hagerstown
Tickets required
Want your Friday night with a little more old-Hollywood energy? The Community Free Clinic’s fundraising gala is promising red-carpet arrivals, jazz, casino games, cocktails, dinner, and vintage glamour. WashCo cleans up well.
Enchantment in the Sky: A Fairytale Costume Gala
Saturday, March 21 • 6:30 PM • Fletcher Library, Hagerstown
Tickets required
If you’ve ever wanted your local library to lean all the way into whimsy, this is your moment. Fletcher is transforming into a fairytale world with immersive décor, themed drinks, royal grazing tables, music, dancing, games, vendors, photo ops, and a costume contest — all to support children’s reading programs, technology access, and outreach services. Very fun, very extra, and for a very good cause.
Upcoming events
Hope for Hagerstown Pop-Up Church by Crossroads Church
Sunday, March 22 • 6:00 PM • Maryland Theatre, 21 S. Potomac St., Hagerstown
Free • RSVP encouraged
A welcoming downtown gathering in one of Hagerstown’s most beautiful spaces. If you’re looking for something uplifting to cap off the weekend, this one feels warm, open, and community-centered.
Hidden Gem of the Week: Family-Friendly / Outdoors
Crystal Grottoes Caverns Reopens for Weekend Hours
Friday–Sunday, March 20–22 • 10:00 AM–5:00 PM • 19821 Shepherdstown Pike, Boonsboro
Adults $23 • Children 5–12 $13 • Under 5 free
Crystal Grottoes is the kind of place people mean to visit for years and somehow never do. Then they finally go and immediately become the person saying, “Wait, why have we not done this before?” It’s tucked right there in Boonsboro, tours are short enough for kids and impatient adults, and the steady cave temperature makes it a perfect March wild card. Not every hidden gem has stalactites. WashCo understood the assignment.
Maryland’s only commercial cave is back to regular weekend hours starting Friday, and yes, it’s still one of the coolest things in the county — literally. Tours run about 40 minutes, head down every half hour, and it’s the kind of outing that works whether your family wants a mini adventure or you just need a backup plan for unpredictable March weather.
Things to Do This Week
Here are a few easy wins for the days when you want to leave the house but don’t need a whole production:
Check out the new Horizon Goodwill College Road store. The grand opening is Thursday, March 19 at 9:00 AM at 18360 College Road, Hagerstown. Cheap finds and a good mission is a strong combo.
Details
Spend an hour at the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. “The Scandinavian Home: Art and Identity, 1880–1920” is on view now, and admission is free. This is an easy “I should do something cultured” move that doesn’t overcomplicate your day.
Exhibit info
Use the library like the local cheat code it is. Washington County Free Library branches are running storytimes, crafts, and take-and-make activities this season, and they remain one of the best free-family-value plays in the county.
Library calendar
Take the easy spring route outdoors. The C&O Canal towpath in Williamsport and the Western Maryland Rail Trail are both great right now if you want fresh air without signing up for a whole wilderness experience.
Do the history lap at Antietam. The battlefield grounds are open daily for self-guided exploring, and spring is one of the best times to go before the summer heat starts showing off.
NPS siteGrab a casual downtown evening. Hub City is still a solid choice when you want a low-pressure night out with beer, conversation, and prime people-watching.
Free Family Picks
Need low-cost wins that don’t involve hearing “I’m bored” 14 times?
Washington County Free Library branches for storytimes, crafts, and kid-friendly drop-ins
Hagerstown City Park for ducks, playground time, and easy picnic territory
C&O Canal towpath in Williamsport for stroller-friendly walking
Antietam National Battlefield for open-space exploring and sneaky educational points
Museum stop at WCMFA if you want a quieter outing with free admission
One More Thing
Next week, the Maryland International Film Festival-Hagerstown kicks off March 26–29, so consider this weekend your calm-before-the-cameras moment. Rest up now so you can pretend you’ve always had strong opinions about indie film pacing.
Did You Know?
Washington County turns 250 this year. That’s right — 2026 is our county’s 250th anniversary year, and the county is building toward a major celebration on July 4, 2026 at the Agricultural Education Center. So yes, your local history is officially having a milestone birthday.
That’s it for this week.
Keep showing up, keep cheering each other on — and as always, run happy! 🏃♂️
The Stride Neighbors Team
P.S.
New here? Check our Welcome Kit and get matched with a pace bu/
Know someone who’s always asking, “So… what are we doing this weekend?”
Forward them this email and tell them to subscribe at whatsupwashco.com.
See you next Thursday,
Georgie @What’s Up WashCo
