Neighborhood Notes: September 2025
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WTMD First Thursday Free Concert
WTMD wraps up their 20th season of free concerts at Canton Waterfront Park on Thursday, September 4 at 5:30 p.m. featuring Eggy and Uncle Kunkel’s One Gram Band. There are food and beverage vendors on-site. No outside alcohol or coolers are permitted. DETAILS
Sail Into Fall: Baltimore BoatFest Returns
Visit the Canton waterfront on Saturday, September 6, from 1-8 pm when Baltimore BoatFest returns to Lighthouse Point Marina. This family-friendly waterfront celebration will bring together live music, local food and drink specials, marine-themed vendors, and an online auction benefiting the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Tickets are available and even boaters docking for the weekend earn two free entries! Visit BaltimoreVisit Maryland.
Lighthouse Point Marina, 2780 Lighthouse Point E, Baltimore, MD
Tickets purchased in advance: $5.00 per person for guests arriving on foot
Complimentary admission for all boaters who dock at Lighthouse Point Marina for the event!
Whether you're arriving by land or sea, expect an afternoon of live music, food trucks, cold drinks, and waterfront views — all with that signature Baltimore flair.
Knotty Pine Block Party & Fundraiser
Join the 3rd Annual Joint Block Party! at Knotty Pine Baltimore in support of St. Francis Neighborhood Center on Saturday, September 6! The party starts at 12PM and will have food, drinks, adult and kids games, face painting and live music from some of the top local bands and DJs.
Enjoy live music by SoulTET: 1-3:30pm, Here's to the Night: 4-6:30pm, and DJ Allure: 7-9pm. Food provided by Knotty Pine, Good Boy Bagels and Glizzy's Wagyu Dogs.
Families and people of all ages are welcome. $10 for Adults. Kids free! A portion of the proceeds will go to support the St. Francis Neighborhood Center and the amazing work they do to help our inner city youth. Everyone is welcome. Rain or shine!
Maryland Cycling Classic
The 2025 Maryland Cycling Classic returns to Baltimore on Saturday, September 6, bringing world-class professional men’s and women’s racing to our city on a new 17.9-mile course entirely within city limits. This free event will showcase Baltimore’s neighborhoods, local spirit, and waterfront to a global audience.
To help you prepare, please know:
Streets will not be closed for the entirety of the race. There will be rolling closures managed to allow traffic to resume once the riders pass.
All closures will include scheduled breaks to allow traffic flow.
The Baltimore Police Department will manage closures with full consideration for safety and the needs of residents and businesses.
For real-time updates on traffic, closures, and detours, please visit marylandcyclingclassic.us.
For additional questions or support, email outreach@marylandcyclingclassic.us.
Free Movie Night at Waterfront Waterfront Park
Rhythm & Reels is a community collaboration bringing free movies and concerts to city parks. Catch Friday on Friday, September 20, from 7–10 PM, and Beetlejuice 2 on Saturday, October 18, from 7–10 PM. Bring a blanket and enjoy a night under the stars! For more info Visit Baltimore.
Team 46 Event
Team 46 (Senator Bill Ferguson, Delegate Luke Clippinger, Delegate Robbyn Lewis, and Delegate Mark Edelson) are hosting a community gathering on Tuesday, September 16 from 6:30-8:00 pm to discuss all they accomplished together in the last four years on behalf of the 46th Legislative District, and the work ahead as they fight to build a better Baltimore for all its residents. The event, held at Mobtown Brewing Company is located at 4015 Foster Ave #400, is free and open to the public, with food provided by Angeli’s Pizzeria and refreshments by Mobtown Brewing Company.
Pop-Up Kids Consignment Event
Have gently used kids’ clothing, strollers, high chairs, toys, or gear you no longer need and want to make some extra cash? Join us for the Kids and Women's Consignment Event at Church on the Square, 1025 S. Potomac Street, on Friday, September 19 from 6–9 PM and Saturday, September 20 from 10 AM–6 PM. Sellers must sign up in advance at www.trendy-trades.com or by emailing info@trendy-trades.com. Item drop-off will take place on Thursday, September 18 from 6–8 PM and Friday, September 19 from 9–11 AM. A portion of sales will support Church on the Square, and any unsold items will be donated to a local charity. For questions, please contact Lura at lura@trendy-trades.com or 240-882-3630.
United Evangelical Church – 150th Anniversary Celebration
Celebrate 150 years of faith, hope, and love with United Evangelical Church on September 21, 2025 at 3200 Dillon St. in Canton. Join neighbors at 3:00 pm for a special afternoon worship service, followed by a celebration dinner and time of fellowship and remembrances at 5 pm. (Dinner location TBA.) Everyone is welcome! For questions or more details, email uecucc@comcast.org or visit www.unitedevangelical.org.
Project ODSP Update
Project ODSP aims to create a more welcoming, community-focused space with a new multi-use, covered structure to provide shade, shelter, and flexibility for year-round events and gatherings, while maintaining the unique character of The Square.
In June, the CCA hosted a Community Input Night to kick off Project ODSP, our initiative to reimagine the center of O’Donnell Square Park. The meeting was well attended, and the follow-up online survey received a strong response from neighbors. That feedback has been carefully considered and incorporated into the project’s next steps.
Join us at the CCA Community Meeting on Wednesday, September 24 at 6:30pm at United Evangelical Church to hear the latest project updates and share your input as we continue shaping the future of O’Donnell Square Park together.
SoProToberfest
Join the SoPRo team on Saturday, September 27 from 12–10 on for the first-ever Oktoberfest celebration at SoPro Baltimore. Enjoy live music, a stein holding contest, German brews, festive bites and fall fun. The event is free for all ages (21+ to drink) with a kids' zone upstairs. SoPro is located at 3000 O’Donnell Street on the corner of O’Donnell Square Park.
Free Community Pitch-In / Dumpster Day (graphic)
The CCA is hosting a Community Pitch-In Day featuring a FREE community dumpster on Saturday, September 20. The dumpster will be located on Lakewood Ave just north of Boston St., alongside the Safeway from approximately 9:00 am until full. (Start time may vary as it’s contingent upon DPW’s schedule.) Plan to go early as it usually fills fast. All are invited to Dumpster Dive to divert waste from our landfill as well. New rules apply for 2025, in particular no large appliances, construction debris or yard waste.
Acceptable materials at the dump include household trash, furniture, cans, glass, plastics, paper, and cardboard. No toxic or hazardous waste.
Unacceptable materials include paint, solvents, pesticides, pool chemicals, acids, caustics, gasoline, mercury thermometers/thermostats, syringes, fire extinguishers, propane tanks, helium tanks, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, tires, metal, yard waste, construction debris, automotive waste/parts, and any other solid, liquid, or gaseous substance that is regulated as hazardous by State or federal law. No “white goods” to include refrigerators, freezers, ovens, washing machines, and dryers
Are you a dumpster diver? This is also a great opportunity to score items to recycle, reuse, and repurpose. Come on out and take a look!
Parking Update – Former Rite Aid Lot
Parking is no longer permitted in the former Rite Aid lot at 2801 Foster Ave. The lot is reserved for Ascension Health employees and customers, as well as those who pay for parking. Please plan accordingly and share this update with your neighbors. The property owner has advised that illegally parked vehicles will be subject to towing. Notices will be placed on cars early Friday mornings to remind drivers that towing will be enforced on weekends and evenings. Good news: Parking spaces are available for rent. For details, contact Nicole at (410) 746-2989.
NOTE: The former Rite Aid site at 2801 Foster Ave. is for sale or lease. It offers 14,280 sf with 4/1,000 sf parking. If interested, please email Doug Kaufman at dkaufman@agmcommericanl.com or call 410.952.33290.
CCA Bloom Box Fall Fundraiser
Bloom Box is a local company that hand delivers fresh plants, garden supplies, and decorations right to your door! Just place your fall order online at www.getblooming.com, use code “CANTONCA15” at the checkout, and Bloom Box will donate 15% of the sales to the Canton Community Association! Offer valid September 1-30, 2025.
Fall mums and planters
A robust selection of perennials, trees & shrubs
Pumpkins & porch decor
Bulbs for spring (tulips, daffodils & more)
Head over to www.getblooming.com to see what they have and place your first order!
Reporting and Preventing Crime – Tip Line
The Baltimore City Police Department asks neighbors to report crimes via this TIP email: SEDtips@baltimorepolice.org. Security camera footage and photos should be included.
SAVE THE DATE
Southeast CDC's 50th Anniversary Party!
The Southeast Community Development Corporation (SECDC) is celebrating 50 years of collective action to create positive change for people and communities in SE Baltimore. Join the fun on Thursday, October 2 from 6-9 pm at the Creative Alliance, 3431 Eastern Ave. Tickets and Details.
CCA NEWS
CCA Public Meetings 2025
February 18, May 13, September 24, and November 18
Meetings are held at the United Evangelical Church at 3200 Dillon St. except for the May 13 meeting which will be held at Church on the Square at 1025 S. Potomac St. They will also be live-streamed on the CCA Facebook page.
CCA Free Community Pitch-in/Dumpster Days 2025
The CCA is hosting Community Pitch-In Days featuring a FREE community dumpster. Neighbors are encouraged to clean their blocks, then bring items to the dumpster. The dumpster will be located on Lakewood Ave, 1 block north of Boston St. alongside the Safeway from 9:00 am until noon, or until full. (Start times may vary.) Plan to go early, as it usually fills fast. March 8, June 28, September 20 and November 1.
CCA Committees / Volunteer Opportunities
The CCA has a variety of volunteer opportunities that enable neighbors to share their time and talent with the community.
SEPTEMBER FEATURED POSITION 1: Grant Writer
• Identify city and state grants to support community efforts.
• Manage grant applications and awarded grants with support from the board and relevant committees.
• Work with the Treasurer to manage grant budgets and track expenditures/payments.
SEPTEMBER FEATURED POSITION 2: I Wonder Garden Plot Coordinator
The I Wonder Garden offers neighbors 20 plots for rental. The Plot Coordinator is responsible for:
• Managing annual rental payments
• Assigning plots at the start of the season
• Sending plot agreements and assignment details to renters
• Communicating with plotholders about garden updates throughout the season
If you enjoy gardening and community building, this is a great way to get involved!
If you have skills in these areas—or just enthusiasm and a willingness to help—we’d love to have you on board! You don’t have to take on all tasks for any position. Any help is appreciated, and even a little of your time can make a big difference in our neighborhood.Please read our Life in Canton (April 2025) feature article on our much-needed volunteer roles! Interested? Email info@CantonCommunity.org to learn more or sign up! Together, we can continue to build a stronger, more vibrant Canton.
CCA Buy-A-Brick Program On Hold
Thank you for supporting the CCA Commemorative Buy-a-Brick Program. Installations and new orders are paused as plans to upgrade O’Donnell Square Park move forward. Everyone who has recently purchased a brick was sent an email with details. For questions, email info@CantonCommunity.org.
CCA Merchandise
Need a gift for a new baby? Make a hoodie for a graduating senior? Or how about a hat for yourself? If you want to support the CCA and look sharp, too, you can purchase CCA merchandise including onesies, hats, long-sleeve lightweight hoodies, CCA foldable/reusable tote bags, tumblers, and more at Canton Ace Hardware at 1022 Binney Street.
Become a CCA Member
Joining the CCA is a gateway to meeting neighbors and supporting local businesses in our community. Meet awesome people and learn about our neighborhood and how you can engage to not only have fun but help others, too. You’ll also receive a subscription to our monthly e-newsletter, Life in Canton, and some cool CCA merch. Individual memberships start at only $10/year; business memberships at $250. For details, visit https://www.cantoncommunity.org/join-us.
CCA Social Media - Follow Us!
For the latest information about our neighborhood and other helpful community/city news, please follow our CCA pages on social media. Instagram @CCA_Baltimore and Facebook.