Dorchester News | July 2025
WHAT'S INSIDE: Fourth of July Fun | New Harriet Tubman Marker Unveiled | The Scoop on New Ice Cream Spots | New Mural in the Works | Summer is the Time to Feast on Local Flavors |
July Event Highlights | Arts & Music
🇺🇸 Fourth of July fun!
Here's a roundup of what's going on around Dorchester County in celebration of Independence Day.
🎆 Watch a beautiful display of fireworks over the Choptank River in Cambridge at dusk (a little after 9pm) on July 4! Bring your own blankets and chairs.
🎆 New this year, Cambridge Harbor is hosting food trucks starting at 5pm – Hooked on Seafood, Bayside Hotdogs, Chilly Billy’s Ice Cream, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, & Kona Ice. Enjoy the food, let the kids burn off energy at the playground, and watch the fireworks. Located right next to the Dorchester Visitor Center, 2 Rose Hill Pl., Cambridge.
🎆 Other great fireworks viewing spots include Long Wharf (High and Water Streets) and Gerry Boyle Park at Great Marsh (at the end of Somerset Avenue at the Choptank River, also with a playground). If you have a boat, watch from the water. New this year: Scoops Ice Cream Truck and Taqueria Floritas food truck will be at the corner of Mill and Water Streets, 6-10pm!
🎆 July 4th Holiday Dinner Cruise: Join Choptank Riverboats for dinner and a view of the fireworks from the water. More info.
🇺🇸 The Cambridge Farmers Market on Thursday, July 3 will include patriotic goodies at the Cambridge Main Street booth and a stars & stripes duck hunt for kids.
🇺🇸 Fourth of July morning begins with the Firecracker Kids Triathlon.
🇺🇸 At 12pm on July 4, enjoy an Independence Day Reading, when Town Crier David Rose does a public reading of the Declaration of Independence at the World War II Memorial at Long Wharf, Cambridge.
🇺🇸 The fun continues into Saturday, July 5, when there's a Patriotic Golf Cart Parade and Poker Run. If you don't have a golf cart, you can rent one! Find out more on the Hoopers Island Volunteer Fire Company Facebook page.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore was along the Harriet Tubman Byway this week to celebrate the unveiling of a new roadside historic marker about Harriet Tubman’s birthplace and childhood! On hand at the Tubman State Park & Visitor Center in Dorchester County, Maryland on June 23 were some of Tubman’s relatives and state and local leaders. As the governor said, “For generations to come, residents and visitors alike will pass by here and learn of Tubman’s legacy.”
The new marker will stand near Woolford General Store along MD 16 at 1614 Taylors Island Rd., Woolford – close to Harrisville Road, where Tubman was born. Her birthplace itself is not accessible to the public. The news made headlines throughout Baltimore and DC-area news media. Watch more on this news segment from WBOC TV 16.
To learn more about Harriet Tubman, consider taking the road trip known as the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway. You’ll find resources to plan your trip on the byway website, including a map and guide and a free audio guide.
Photos courtesy the Executive Office of the Governor.
Gov. Wes Moore joins in unveiling of new Harriet Tubman marker
🍦 Get the scoop on new ice cream spots
Dorchester County's ice cream (and frozen treat) scene has changed a lot this season, with at least four new spots! Here's the scoop!
🍦 NEW! Try hand-dipped, homemade ice cream from the Frozen Farmer at Chilly Billy’s Ice Cream, 600 Roslyn Ave., Cambridge (across from Dunkin' Donuts, in the Citgo parking lot). Thursday-Sunday, 4-9pm.
🍦 Indulge in a scoop of South Mountain Creamery ice cream and other frozen treats at Emily's Produce, 2214 Church Creek Rd., Cambridge.
🍦 NEW! Stop by Groove City Sweets & Treats for Hershey's ice cream, 601 Pine St., Cambridge. Tuesday–Sunday, 2-8pm. Indoor with a couple of high-top tables.
🍧 JAHA Ice offers Western Shore-style snowballs on the Eastern Shore on a mobile cart. Based in Hurlock at 308 N. Main St., they’re often on the move. Check their Facebook page to find out where they are this week.
🍦 NEW! Lil' Bitta Bull BBQ is serving up soft-serve ice cream – everything from a classic vanilla cone to a loaded sundae to a Nor’Easter. 2839 Ocean Gateway, Cambridge. Open Wednesday–Sunday, 11am-7pm. Check Facebook for the latest.
🍦 NEW! Enjoy Hershey's ice cream at the new Scoops ice cream truck run by Simmons Center Market, 600 Race St. Cambridge. Check their Facebook page to see if they're at their home base in the greenhouse parking lot or if they're on the move.
🍦 Ava's Pizzeria & Wine Bar offers house-made gelato. Their signature staple is Italian lemon, but they often have other flavors!
🍦 RAR Brewing has soft serve ice cream; toppings available.
🍦 The Neck District Grill has Hershey's ice cream with inside seating.
🍦 Hometown Pride has Hershey’s Ice Cream. 104 Main St, East New Market.
🍦 Hoopers Island General Store has Hershey's ice cream with inside seating.
New mural in the works
Dorchester County's newest mural is taking shape! Artist Miriam Moran is creating the "Shine Your Light" mural to unite an array of Latin backgrounds and traditions and illuminate their stories. After over two years of planning and numerous community interviews, the Dorchester Center of Arts was awarded a public art grant from the Maryland State Arts Council to fund the mural. Stop by and watch as the mural unfolds at 118 Cedar St., Cambridge.
📌 Keep going: Experience more than 20 murals along the Dorchester County Mural Trail!
Local musician Jayla Elise was recognized recently at a Dorchester County Council meeting for her original song about Dorchester County. The County Council declared "Dorchester Dreams" as the county song for the month of June. The proclamation stated, "... It is fitting and proper that we recognize 'Dorchester Dreams' as a unifying cultural expression that reflects the values, dreams, and heritage of Dorchester County and its people." Listen to the song.
'Dorchester Dreams' recognized by County Council
Summer is the time to feast on local flavors
Dorchester County has a long tradition of agriculture and seafood, and it's still going strong. Whether it's local sweet corn, juicy red tomatoes, freshly caught blue crabs, or farmed oysters, you'll find lots of delicious flavors here this season. Sit down and enjoy the tastes in our restaurants or get them to-go from a market to take back to your house or Airbnb. Here are a few places where you can find local bounty in Dorchester. Drive the back roads and you may discover more small produce and baked good stands around the county!
PRODUCE:
Cambridge Farmers Market: Every Thursday, 3-6pm, Long Wharf in Cambridge
Vienna Farmers Market: Every Friday, 3-6pm, Vienna
Emily's Produce: Wide selection of produce, meats, cheeses, more. U-Pick berries and flowers, too! Open daily except Tuesday.
C & A Produce: 2526 Key Wallace Dr., Cambridge (right near Blackwater Refuge)
Chelsea's Produce: Town Point Rd., Cambridge, plus Cedar Street, Cambridge
Harris Farms Market: 6672 Cabin Creek Rd., Hurlock
Triangle Acres: 4507 Preston Rd., Hurlock
Produce Stand at Elijah's General Store: 2702 Toddville Rd, Toddville
SEAFOOD & MEAT
Pop's Old Place: Beef, lamb, pork, eggs. 4657 Skinners Run Rd., Hurlock
Choptank River Crab & Oyster Co.: Wide range of seafood. 203 Trenton St., Cambridge
J.M. Clayton Company: Steamed, frozen, pasteurized crab. 108 Commerce St., Cambridge
Kool Ice & Seafood: Wide range of seafood. 110 Washington St., Cambridge
Lindy’s Seafood: Crabs, crabmeat, oysters. 1548 Taylors Island Rd,. Woolford
Soft & Salty Seafood: Carry-out seafood – hard and soft crabs and oysters. 5456 Ragged Point Rd., Cambridge.
Total Fine Foods Outlet Store: Fresh and frozen foods including seafood, beef, pork, and poultry. 218 Washington St., Cambridge
JULY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Cruises on 20 days throughout July!
Crabfeast, lunch, dinner, and sightseeing cruises.
July 5, 18, 19, 25, 26
Two-hour sunset boat ride on the Choptank River on a historic buy boat.
Every Tuesday, 10am through Labor Day
Get a behind-the-scenes look at an environmental research lab and oyster hatchery.
Around the World in a Day: July 1, 1:30-3:30pm or 5:30-7:30pm. Explore the rich flavors of Italian, Latin, and Asian cuisines.
Plant-Based Pleasers: July 3, 1:30-3:30pm or 5:30-7:30pm. Discover the delicious side of healthy living in this hands-on cooking experience.
Brunch & Bougie Cooking Class: July 5, 11am-1pm. Learn to whip up next-level brunch dishes in style.
July 12-13
The Cambridge Yacht Club hosts a regatta for One Design classes. Watch the sailing races on the Choptank River from Gerry Boyle Park at Great Marsh, or from Long Wharf in Cambridge.
JULY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS, cont'd
July 19-20, 10:30am-5pm
Experience action-packed powerboat racing on the Choptank River! The best viewing area is at Gerry Boyle Park at Great Marsh in Cambridge.
Sip N Sail: July 5
Sunset Sail: July 11, 18, 25
Regular Sails: Saturdays, 1-3pm
Enjoy time on the water and learn about the area's maritime heritage and oyster industry.
July 12, 9am-1pm
Find gently used books for bargain prices at the Cambridge branch of the Dorchester Public Library.
July 12
Enjoy enhanced outdoor dining, shopping, gallery walks and live music by DistilledGrace. Streets will be closed starting at 3pm.
July 12, 12-4pm
Hosted by Groove City Black Heritage & Culture Group. 600 block of Pine Street, Cambridge
July 12, 5-9pm
Vendors, food trucks, children's activities, corn hole tournament. Long Wharf Park in Cambridge. Benefits Harriett's House.
JULY EVENT HIGHLIGHTS, cont'd
July 16-17, 10am-4pm
As part of its 50th anniversary, the Eastern Shore Hospital Center Auxiliary in Cambridge offers a sale with clothing, accessories, Christmas items, more. Plus food trucks and ice cream.
Dates to be announced for summer U-Pick opportunities at the farm in Hurlock.
July 26, 10am-4pm
Vendors, live music, displays. At the Dorchester Visitor Center in Cambridge. Free! To be a vendor, call 410-228-1000.
July 26, 2-8pm
Block party edition. Food vendors, celebrity guest, Kids Zone, live DJs, more. Free! Pine Street, Cambridge. Questions? Contact 443-225-6472 or illfiggazent@yahoo.com. After Party at Elks Lodge starts at 9pm.
Arts in July
ART SHOWS:
Main Street Gallery has "More Than Lines and Colors" with local guest artist Jose Ramirez. Show runs July 5-August 31. Artist reception July 12, 5-8pm. Artist will give a brief talk at 6pm. Free and open to all.
"Harriet: A Taste of Freedom" Art Exhibition features more than 40 regional artists presenting their creative interpretations of Harriet Tubman at the Harriet Tubman Freedom Center,. Show runs through September 2025. 3030 Center Dr., Cambridge.
Dorchester Center for the Arts has Annual Members Show through July 26. Second Saturday Reception July 12 from 5-7pm with live music and refreshments.
3ten Art Gallery has "The Subliminal State" by Lori Dever and "Variations in Abstraction & Expression" by Sherry Christopher through Aug. 9.
ART CLASSES::
Dorchester Center for the Arts has summer programs for kids, including Greg Leonard Creative Camp for Young Artists July 7-August 1 and art and clay studio classes throughout July. Plenty of classes for adults, too! Find out more.
Prodigal Creations offers craft classes including some Christmas in July projects – Bulb Tree, Grinch Sea Glass Trees, Ceramic Tree. Reserve your spot.
Music in July
July 5, 2-6p
Groove City Entertainment presents birthday extravaganza for DJ Cool C. Eight DJs. Bring your own chairs, coolers. Gerry Boyle Park at Great Marsh, Cambridge.
July 6, 1-4pm: Marianne Styles (free)
July 26, 6-9pm: The KG Band – buy tickets
July 19, 7pm
The Birch Trio performs "Time Travels," a classical concert, at the Dorchester Center for the Arts. Ashley Watkins, Nevin Dawson, Denise Nathanson perform works by Joseph Haydn, Valerie Coleman, James Cohn, Francois Devienne and Laurel Zucker.
July 20, 4-7pm
Free summer concert on the Nanticoke River waterfront in Vienna features Solitude Road Band. Bring your family, a picnic dinner, and lawn chairs. Concessions are available.
Portside Seafood Restaurant
July 3: Colby Sard, 5-8pm
July 5: Anna Burgess, 6-9pm
July 10: Regan Kent, 5-8pm
July 17: Sam Pugh, 5-8pm
July 19: Colby Sard, 6-9pm
July 24: Regan Kent, 5-8pm
July 26: Sam Pugh, 5-8pm
July 31: Sam Pugh, 5-8pm
Old Salty's Restaurant
July 4: Karaoke with Chuckie Love, 6-10pm
July 5: Anna Burgess, 1-4pm; Distilled Grace 7-10pm
July 12, 1-4pm: Anthony Hurley; Good Talk Russ 6-10p
July 19: Regan Kent 1-4pm; Crash the Limo 6-10pm
July 20: Chesapeake Sons Duo, 1-4pm
July 25: Cliff Cody, 7-10p
July 26: Pete Baker 1-4pm; Southbound 4, 6-10pm
Blue Ruin
July 5: Colby Sard, 8-11pm
July 11: Bryan Russo
July 12: Uncle Ward Show
July 18: Karaoke with Chuckie Love
July 19: Rhoads & Cullum Band
July 25: Star Spangled Hustlers
July 26: Heavy Fred Band
July 30: Pete Baker, 5-9pm
Michener's Library at Hyatt Chesapeake
July 26: Edward Sparks Solo, 7-10pm
Plan your fun in Dorchester!
Weekend Update
Find out what's going on around the county – check out our roundup of weekend events that we post on our social media each Friday!
Follow us on social media
Facebook: @I Love Dorchester Heritage & Tourism
Instagram: @Visit Dorchester
Dorchester County Tourism offers a wide selection of free digital brochures on our website, including a Dining Guide, Events Guide, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway Map & Guide, Cycling Guide, Paddling Guide, Birding Guide, and Heritage Guide. View and download them as PDF files.
Dorchester County Tourism | 2 Rose Hill Place, Cambridge, MD 21613
(Photo courtesy Maryland Office of Tourism)
2 rose hill place, Cambridge, MD 21613