This annual family friendly open house is from 10 a.m– 4 p.m., with free admission, parking and shuttle services! There are a wide variety of activities, delicious food options, and exciting events for all ages.

There are over 400  free events all about celebrating culture and the arts! Based on your particular interests you can “plan your day,” to make the most of what Maryland Day has to offer on their official website, including programs based around the arts, the global village, sports, becoming a Terp and more!

Special programs are set up for kids, alumni, and prospective students, so this event is not to be missed! Come rain or shine to explore hundreds of hands-on exhibits, workshops, games and live performances at Maryland Day 2010 on April 24th!

Love college sports? Come take in one of the many division I games at the University of Maryland! With a huge variety of competitive sports teams, from the well-respected football and basketball teams to more unique lacrosse and swimming, there is an exciting game to attend no matter what time of year or personal interest! Get your ticket to cheer on the Terps today, and enjoy the unique experience and overwhelming spirit of the college sports arena!

Love professional sports teams? Our location in Washington D.C. boasts  teams for every popular sport including the Washington Redskins football, Washington Nationals for baseball, the Washington Wizards and Washington Mystics for men and women’s basketball, DC United for soccer, and the popular Washington Capitals for ice hockey! Bring your friends and family to a game of their choice, there is something for everyone!

Looking for something a little different? Check out the DC Divas, one of the most respected teams in the Independent Women’s Football League, or take in an exciting Quarter Horse race at Rosecroft Harness Racing! Bring the family together for a day of fun and baseball at the Bowie Baysox minor league team, which sponsors special events such as kids events and fireworks after the game! Enjoy an Equestrian special event, at the beautiful Show Place Arena, where most events are free to attend!

Get involved in sports at some of the many centers in the area! The Sports and Learning Complex Youth and Community Events holds a variety of classes, holiday events, Kids Day Out field trips, and Summer Camps. Enjoy annual events like Hallowfun Night, Black History informational workshops, in addition to specialized classes are offered at the variety of centers– an aquatic, fitness, track and field, and gymnastics.

Looking for the perfect event for you? Check out our variety of venues, many of which have plenty of group accommodations and more!

For more of the many fun things to do in Price George’s County, check out the website, or follow us on twitter!

Prince George’s boasts many famous and unique African American historical sites that allow visitors and residents to explore the past, and celebrate our African American heritage. For over 300 years, African Americans have raised families and built communities that have been vital to the growth and development of Prince George’s County.

African American Heritage Brochure

Visit unique sites such as the Columbia Air Center, the first black owned and operated airfield that made history in 1941, and Blacksox Park, once the home to flourishing African American sandlot baseball teams.

Learn about the enduring strength of the African American people by visiting Belair Mansion, a large plantation built in 1747 with exhibits highlighting the significant role of the enslaved Africans and their lives on the plantation and working as jockeys at the famous Belair Stables.

Further discover the daily lives of slaves at The Mount Calvert Historical and Archaeological Park and Northhampton Slave Quarters and Archaeological Park, and experience their interesting exhibits. Visit The Charles Duckett Log Cabin at the Patuxent Rural Life Museums to get a rare and interactive glimpse into life in the 1880s. The museum includes a cabin built by a former slave and landsman in the Union Navy during the civil war, as well as a tobacco museum, a blacksmith shop, a tool museum and a 1923 Sears, Roebuck and company simplex house.

Visits to various historical African American churches show the enduring spirit and faith that still remains today. These churches include Saint Paul’s Methodist Church, thought to be the oldest black congregation in Prince George’s, and Dorsey Chapel, a small frame meeting house church built to serve African Americans in rural Prince George’s at the turn of the 20th century.

Prince George’s County has a wealth of interesting historical sites to discover this February during Black History Month.  For an African American Heritage Sites Guide, just request one, or download it here as a pdf file.

Below is a preview of the site map in the guide.

African American Heritage Sites in Prince George's County, MD

African American Heritage Sites in Prince George's County, MD

A theme lets you get a creative focus, with everything from invitations, to food, music and even a costume event if you like. A theme can be a simple or wacky as your group would like. It can be a celebration of a milestone birthday for someone special in your family, a religious or holiday theme, or simply a special genre such as safari or western.

Themes are a great way for people to come together and let loose! There are endless theme ideas, whether you are looking for something special for your church, family, sorority or fraternity, or military reunion, there is a great option for everyone.

Start off by thinking about the basics—what type of reunion you are hosting, who will be attending, the time of the year, the location, or a common group interest are great places to draw theme inspiration.

For sororities and fraternities, think back to your favorite theme parties or common interests in college and re-create a special night. Did you and your brothers look forward to your annual toga party? Did your sisters and you attend college in the 80s? Break out your old college wardrobes and pictures and make even more special memories with life-long friends!

For church groups, celebrate the wonderful time of the year by having a holiday or seasonal theme. For a more unique idea, celebrate Christmas in July at a summer picnic, or have a topical luau at a winter gathering.

Once you decide on the topic, you can plan decorations, recipes, music and special beverages around it. You can also have attendees dress accordingly, and have games to go along with the theme for both adults and children to make it a fun, exciting event for all!

Themes are a great way to unite your group, give your event direction, and add a little extra fun to your group’s reunion, and bring the group together.

Please feel free to comment and share your reunion idea with others!

This is the third time that one lucky person will be selected the Grand Prize Winner of a super reunion package worth over $20,000 for their special group of 40. This year,  it could be you!

The grand prize package includes luxury hotel accommodations for a long weekend, catering for a reunion dinner and reception, a day full of fun at Six Flags America, a genealogy workshop, transportation and t-shirts for your entire group, and more! Official rules and regulations apply.

Remember, there are only 4 more days to enter, so don’t wait! Tell all your friends and family to enter today!

One afternoon, a friend told the story of how one of her own family traditions was born, Christmas in May. Her father, forever free-spirited, popped into town from out of state and they arranged to get together for dinner. Her sister in Philadelphia didn’t want to be left out, so she drove home to Maryland.

Aunts and uncles suggested they come together at their house, which happened to be crawling with cousins, and the next thing you know, there was a party. As grandparents and more relatives were called, the backdoor continued to fly open, inviting hollers, and then hugs from the gathering crowd. Everyone just kept coming. They joked that it was their ‘Christmas in May.’

The afternoon came together fast. Someone picked up a bushel of steamed crabs, while others fried buttermilk chicken, husked corn, whipped deviled eggs and brewed sweet tea. They laid layers of neighborhood news on the picnic table as a makeshift tablecloth, and carted out the bounty out like, well, like aunts to a picnic. Cracking crabs and passing paper plates they told stories of holidays past; when an ornery cousin dented their grandfather’s Chrysler one Christmas Eve, and how her great-uncle would eek-out holiday carols after dinner on his violin.

Even Grandpa chimed in with stories of being a child growing up in Baltimore with his four siblings. They sat around for hours. Everyone had a story to tell, his or her own piece of the family patchwork. No one rushed to clean up, there wasn’t much to do but roll up the paper anyhow. Her grandmother set the needle to old holiday records; she was a musician in her day and still had stacks of jazz from her time. Sitting back, listening and laughing, the group thumbed through vinyl and handed around newspaper clippings gathered through the years.

If we’re lucky, we all have days like these shuffled into our busy lives. It’s up to us to make these times memorable, to make our mess, to make our mark. Sometimes, there are no family birthdays, no major holidays, no real reasons to get together. So you make one up. That’s what family is about- making the time to be together.

There’s a reason Prince George’s County is all about family. It’s why we treasure traditions like ‘Christmas in May.’ It’s where families (just like yours) come together.

Want to win a reunion package of a lifetime worth over $20,000 to bring your family together and create your own special memories and traditions? Time is running out! Tell your family and friends and enter the Cyberhunt Sweepstakes today, the contest ends December 31st!

Prince George’s County, Maryland is the ideal location for any reunion, regardless of group size, price point or interests. From quality hotels, to historic museums, and fun attractions, there is something for everyone to enjoy in Gorgeous Prince George’s!

Looking for a high quality hotel for your group to stay? The Marriott Greenbelt hotel has won “Marriott Hotel of the Year” and is minutes from exciting attractions such as the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center, Six Flags America, downtown Washington, D.C., and within an hour from Baltimore and Annapolis.

Planning a reunion for a large group? Check out the National Harbor, Maryland’s newest dream gateway! It’s an incredible 300-acre waterfront destination just minutes from downtown Washington D.C., along the Potomac River. The cornerstone of National Harbor is the 2000-room Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the largest hotel in the Washington DC metro. The National Harbor features world-class dining, nightclubs, shopping and an amazing market, as well as special seasonal features and attractions for the whole family to enjoy!

There are a magnitude of unique and interesting historical sites, museums and cultural events to enjoy in Prince George’s. Go back in time and visit the Surratt House, home of Mary Surratt, the first woman to be executed by the United States government after being found guilty of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. The museum presents a variety of programs and events, recapturing the history of mid-19th century life and focusing on the fascinating web of the Lincoln conspiracy.

Check out a performance at the incredible Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, take in a professional sports game, or spend a day exploring Fort Washington and it’s 341-acre park offering an assortment of recreational opportunities, including hiking and biking trails and a playground.

There are plenty of great places to experience on your reunion in Prince George’s, making it the ideal reunion destination! Check out Reunion Capital USA for reunion planning advice, ideas and more!

Follow ReunionsUSA on twitter for daily updates!

Enter the Cyberhunt Sweepstakes and you could WIN a reunion package worth over $20,000 in Prince George’s! It’s only open until December 31st so enter your group today and you could be the next big winner!

Reunions are a time to celebrate life’s milestones, achievements and renew old acquaintances. It’s also time to start losing the pounds, covering the grays and getting ready for some serious fun!

ReunionCapitalUSA.com is rich with resources and information that will help any Reunion Rookie plan an event to remember. Your reunion should be a fun, special event for all attendees, so here are some of the key points that will help you host a reunion like a PRO:

1. The first decision you’ll need to make is who to invite, and forming a reunion committee will certainly be helpful. The planning committee works as a team to make sure that all aspects of the reunion are taken care of, and that no details are left out. (It’s very hard for one person to be responsible for such a large task!). For more information about forming a reunion committee, please click here.

2. Develop a detailed budget. You’ll need to figure out how much each attendee will pay in order to cover the venue deposit, printing and mailing of invitations, long-distance phone calls, and any unexpected expenses you may come across. For more information on developing and sticking to a budget, please click here.

3. Start the search for a location as early as possible for the best rates and most choices. Deciding on a location can depend on group size, budget, time of year, geographic location, and the type of activities best suited to attendees. Select a date and start publicizing the reunion as early as possible so attendees can make travel plans. For more info on dates & location, please start here.

4. Stay in the loop! When the location, date, and facility have been confirmed, send out invitations to your reunion members. The invitations can be a simple e-mail, plain letter, or fun creation that goes along with a party theme. Ask attendees for information about their lives (including updated contact information). Compile it all into a booklet and mail this out to reunion attendees before the reunion, so they can be ready to pounce on family and old friends as soon as they walk through the door to catch up.

Interested in some great planning resources such as a reunion timetable and checklist, as well as a FREE planning kit, check out Reunion Capital USA for all your reunion needs, regardless of size, type or extravagance, and follow us on twitter!

Enter to win a complete and FREE REUNION worth over $20,000 by entering the annual Cyberhunt Sweepstakes! You and your group could be our next big winners! The final entry date is December 31st, so get your group members to enter today!

The key to staging a successful reunion is good time management and organization. Follow this timetable to manage your reunion planning and preparation every step along the way!

12 to 18 months before the reunion:
Create a database family names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses
Determine family interest, number of people that may attend
Assemble a list of relatives who will help with the event

11-12 months before the reunion:
Form reunion committee(s) and establish responsibilities and schedules
Create a budget/bookkeeping system. Keep records of everything you do related to the reunion
Site Visit – scout potential locations and facilities (if needed)
Set the date
Select the location
1st Mailing – Send out a reunion announcement w/tentative reunion date, schedule and plans
Arrange or hire caterer, photographer, etc.

6 to 9 months and counting:
Finalize reunion date and location
2nd Mailing – Send out reunion invitation
Reserve block of hotel rooms
Begin list of attendees

5 months and counting:
Confirm reservations, photographer, entertainment, caterer (if used)
Finalize the menu

6-8 weeks and counting:
Complete address/memory book
Draft checklist for reunion tasks
Coordinate volunteers and designate their assignments

2 weeks and counting:
Purchase last minute decorations and supplies
Confirm eating, lodging and meeting arrangements
Review final checklist

One day and counting:
Solve or Resolve any last-minute problems
Walk through all final details

Big day – no more counting – the reunion is here!
Get to the reunion site early
Coordinate day-of details, meet with volunteers, etc.
Decorate reunion area
Set up displays, rental equipment, and registration table

Done – What Now?
Evaluate – What worked and what didn’t work
Thank all the committee heads and volunteers
Settle all accounts; finalize bookkeeping
Set a date to starting planning for the next reunion!

Want reunion planning to be easy? Enter the Cyberhunt Sweepstakes and are elibigle to win a COMPLETE REUNION PACKAGE for 40 worth over $20,000! Enter Today!

Reunion Checklist

• Appoint a coordinator for the even and form a Reunion Committee
• Create a reunion notebook to track progress
• Make a master list or file of members and guests
• Poll your guests on possible reunion activities, location, time, etc.
• Set reunion date(s)
• Choose/reserve a reunion location
• Choose menu for reunion meals and casual get-togethers
• Set/finalize reunion budget
• Send first mailer – notify members of tentative reunion plans/schedule
• Arrange entertainment and activities
• Arrange for a photographer or videographer
• Send second mailer – invitations to all invited guests
• Reserve/confirm/block accommodations and/or hotel rooms
• Reserve/confirm entertainment and activities
• Reserve/confirm caterer/dining options
• Purchase souvenirs, t-shirts, hats, etc.
• Assign day-of-event responsibilities
• Decorate reunion location
• Arrange for ample number of chairs, tables, etc.
• Arrange for special needs of elderly or disabled
• First Aid Kit (and medicine cooler if event is outdoors)
• Set up registration table with registration/guest book
• Distribute and collect reunion evaluation forms
• Set tentative date for next year’s reunion while everyone is together
• Post-Event review, survey and follow-up

This is just a list to get you started. Check out a full reunion resource, ReunionCapitalUSA for extra help planning a a successful reunion for family, military, fraternity or sorority, alumni or church groups!

What would make your Reunion event better? Winning our 2009 Cyberhunt Sweepstakes Grand Prize Reunion Package worth over $20,000! Enter today!