LEONARDTOWN, MD — The rain didn’t stop community members from coming out to Leonardtown Square to enjoy the Beach Party  Friday, Aug. 5.

The  Leonardtown, Charlotte Hall and Lexington Park Rotary clubs hosted their sixth annual Running of the Balls, in which the first place golf ball to be rolled down the hill at Fenwick Street won $3,000. Funds raised during the event are to be used by the clubs for local and international efforts such as Student & Teacher
Scholarships, Community Service Projects, Clean Water, End Polio Now
and other initiatives. 

Event-goers could participate in a variety of activities such as playing volleyball or tug of war in sandboxes created for the event. Smaller children could create worlds and play make-believe in another sandbox.

Mayor Dan Burris kicked off the celebration at 4 p.m. The Latrice Carr Music Group took the stage at 5 p.m. but shut down the stage due to the rain.

Lisa Martoni led two sessions of Zumba, and Phillip De Palo entertained the crowds with juggling balls and flaming torches. The Daughters of Veda performed belly dancing routines, and Spiderman and a variety of other fictional characters were on site for photo opportunities with the Foundation 4 Heroes tent. 

Water fell from the skies and from a waterfall hose-down provided by the Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department. Children could be seen swimming, playing and collecting water in little firefighters’ hats. They could also create giant bubble when they were done playing in the water. Tours of the Coast Guard boat and pony rides were also available for entertainment.

Face-painting, balloon animals with Balloon Nerd Brian Garner, and other crafting opportunities were on site as well.

Community members could participate in kayaking, stand-up paddle boating and the Waterslide at the Leonardtown Wharf this year.

Beach Party Financial sponsors include:
Winegardner Auto, Quality Built Homes, Two Guys Collision Center, Great Mills Trading Post, Cedar Point Federal Credit union, College of Southern Maryland, Marrick Homes and MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital.

This event was funded in part by a grant from the St. Mary’s County Arts Council’s Community Arts Development Grant Program and the Maryland State Arts Council.

Organizers thank the following people and organizations for their contribution to the event: Jackie Nolan, Emcee; Lisa Martoni, J. Ernest (Ernie) Bell II Esq., Woodlawn Lawn Care, Patuxent Adventure Center, Bella Music School, The Enterprise, Carter’s Buss Service, The Printing Press, Jay Mattingly, Mid-Atlantic Adventures, St. Mary’s Ryken Ladies Field Hockey, AB & H Excavating, Inc., T & T Sweeping, Roger Mattingly, Affordable Refuse, The County Times, So. MD Radio, Frank Dawson, Ron Ciecka/ C&C Systems, CSM Wellness, Fitness and Aquatics Staff, Lee Dyson, The Antique Power Association and Christmas in April, St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, St. Mary’s County State’s Attorney’s Office, Leonardtown, Lexington Park and Charlotte Hall Rotary clubs; Leonardtown Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary, Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad and Auxiliary, Leonardtown Merchants and Businesses, and the Leonardtown Business Association.

For more information about the event, check out the Leonardtown Square Facebook Page.

Contact Jacqui Atkielski at j.atkielski@thebaynet.com.