Neighborhood Notes: October 2026

Remembering Marvin Lee Ingram
The Canton community mourns the loss of our dear neighbor and friend, Marvin Lee Ingram, who passed away on September 10, 2026.

Marvin was a light-hearted, generous and genuine friend to so many. An avid golfer who also loved music, baseball, football and a good barbecue, he had a way of making people feel welcome and connected. After moving to Baltimore, Marvin put down deep roots in the city and became actively involved in his community. He served on the Board of the St. Francis Neighborhood Association and considered his work supporting St. Francis one of his most meaningful pursuits.

Marvin will be remembered for his generosity, his friendships and the joy he brought to those around him. Our heartfelt condolences go to his family and friends. He will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.

Music on the Square
Music on the Square Concert Series returns for its 2026-2027 season! Join for an unforgettable evening with Natalie & Brittany Haas, acclaimed virtuoso string musicians and composers whose music draws from traditions spanning Bach, old-time, Celtic, Scandinavian and contemporary acoustic music. Friday, October 23 from 7-9 pm. The concert starts at 7:30 pm - Doors at 7:00 pm. $30 suggested donation. Kids 12 and under get in free. Church on the Square is located at 1025 S Potomac Street, Baltimore, MD 21224. TICKETS

Feast of St. Francis Festival | October 2-4
Join the St. Casimir Church, 2800 O’Donnell Street, for a weekend of fall fun and fellowship at the Feast of St. Francis Festival. Friday, October 2: Fall Bingo in Kolbe Hall, doors open at 5:30 p.m., Bingo begins at 6 p.m. ($35 per person, food sold separately). Saturday, October 3: Blessing of Animals at noon outside the church, followed by the Children’s Pumpkin Patch and Plant Sale from 12:30–2:30 p.m. The Pumpkin Patch is $15 per child and includes lunch, a pumpkin, trick-or-treating, a fall craft and games. Sunday, October 4: Mass of St. Francis of Assisi at 10 a.m., followed by the St. Francis Luncheon in Kolbe Hall. $25 per person for ages 13 and older. For children 12 and under, please call the parish office at 410-276-1981.

Polka Dinner Dance
Join the St. Casimir Parish Life Committee on Sunday, October 18, from 1–5 p.m. at Kolbe Hall, 2800 O’Donnell St., for Polish food, dancing and music by TKO Band. Tickets are $40, ages 21+. Seating is limited, so get your tickets early. No tickets sold at the door. Call Maria Adamski 410-733-2305 or the parish office at 410-276-1981.

Edgar Allen Row Paddling Meetup
Join Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore for Edgar Allen Row a FREE Paddling meetup on October 10. Grab a kayak, canoe, rowboat, or stand-up paddleboard, don your best Poe-inspired attire, and launch from anywhere along the Baltimore Blueway and then make your way to Fells Point. Paddlers will gather on the water in front of Pitango Bakery in Fells Point at 4:00 PM before setting out on a spooky journey through Baltimore Harbor featuring readings of Edgar Allan Poe classics. The evening will culminate at Mr. Trash Wheel with a reading of fan favorite “The Raven.” Costumes are highly encouraged. Check out our website to learn more https://baltimoreblueway.org/edgarallanrow

SoProToberfest
SoProToberfest returns to Sopro in O’Donnell Square on Saturday, October 24, from noon to 10 p.m. Grab your crew and celebrate Oktoberfest with live music from the TKO Polka Band, a tap truck, food and drink specials, a stein-holding contest and plenty of outdoor, tented fun. Lederhosen encouraged!

HHA Open Annual Charity Golf Tournament (Flyer) Support the Hampstead Hill Academy PTO by joining their first annual Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, October 26 at Rocky Point Golf Course. Register as an individual $160 or foursome $600. Questions? Email thehhaopen@gmail.com. 

CCA Community Cleanup
We’re happy the CCA Parks Committee is hosting a community cleanup on Saturday, October 24. If you have an hour or two to volunteer, we’d love your help. Meet at Professor Trash Wheel at 9 am to walk and pick up trash. Or choose to start at O’Donnell Square Park to weed and clean up general debris. Some tools will be provided including grabbers, gloves, rakes, trash bags, and shovels. Businesses and organizations are encouraged to join as a team. Let’s make this fun - costumes encouraged!

Canton Canopy Fall Plantings
Join Canton Canopy for their Fall Plantings on Saturday, October 24th and Saturday, November 7th from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Community volunteers of all experience levels are invited to help green the neighborhood. Both events kick off with complimentary coffee, doughnuts, and a quick planting demonstration, and all necessary tools and gloves will be provided. Meeting locations will be announced closer to each date on the Canton Canopy Facebook page, so grab a neighbor and help grow our local canopy!

Canton Library Events

Youth RPG Club: Kids on Bikes
Thursdays, October 1, 15 & 29, 2:30–4 p.m.
Step into a Stranger Things-style adventure where kids, bikes, dice and teamwork are all you need to defend your neighborhood from the unexpected. No experience necessary. Sign up for all sessions if possible. Email info@churchonthesquarebaltimore.org for drop-in information. More information & registration

Fall Migration Bird-Watching Walk
Saturday, October 3, 9–11 a.m.
Join Baltimore Bird Club experts for a leisurely 1–2 mile walk through Canton Waterfront Park and learn the basics of urban bird-watching. Binoculars and field guides provided. All experience levels are welcome. Registration required. Meet at the Canton Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library. Rain or shine. 

Hatton Senior Center
Baltimore is home to 13 senior centers which offer different programs and services for older adults. In Canton, the Hatton Senior Senior Center, located at 2825 Fait Ave., is open Monday-Thursday 9:00 am-3:30 pm. Neighbors 55+ can take part in fitness and wellness programs, dining services, and lifelong learning classes including Chair Yoga at 10:30 am on Tuesdays. Seniors 60+ are eligible for the “Eating Together Meal” Monday, Tuesday & Thursday at 11:30 am for $2. Advance registration is required. For more information, call 410-396-9025 or email Adrienne.Blumberg@baltimorecity.gov.  

Cancer Screening Saves Lives
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a reminder to schedule your mammogram! Screening tests are used before a person has any symptoms to help find cancer early, when it may be easier to treat. To learn more, including how to schedule a screening test and how to afford a screening without insurance, visit cancer.org/get-screened.

Sidewalk, Tree Pits and Gutters
Neighbors, please be neighborly and keep your sidewalks swept and tree pits weeded. Also, keep an eye out for leaves and debris in the street gutters so water can properly flow to the storm drains. Thanks for helping keep Canton clean and looking great this fall!

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

Canton Day of Giving
Saturday, December 12 | 10 AM – 2 PM
Join the CCA and Exchange Club of Highlandtown-Canton for the annual Canton Day of Giving Food & Toy Drive! Bring new, unwrapped toys and nonperishable food to share with families in need. Enjoy live holiday music, hot chocolate, cookies, and a selfie with Santa! Toys will be distributed by the Baltimore Police Southeast District; donated food will go to Church on the Square.

CCA NEWS 

CCA Public Meetings 2026
February 17, May 19, September 15, and November 17
Meetings are held at the United Evangelical Church at 3200 Dillon St. and live-streamed on the CCA Facebook page.

CCA Free Community Pitch-In / Dumpster Days 2026 (NEW Flyer w/fall dates)
The CCA hosts a Community Pitch-In Day featuring a FREE community dumpster  4x a year. 2026 days include March 7, May 30, September 19 and November 14. The dumpster will be located near 1011 S. Lakewood Ave, alongside Safeway just north of Boston Street (or adjacent to the Circle Park on O’Donnell Street) from approximately 9:00 am until noon or until full. Plan to go early, as it usually fills fast.

CCA Committees / Volunteer Opportunities
Please read our Life in Canton feature article on our much-needed volunteer roles!! The CCA has a variety of volunteer opportunities that enable neighbors to share their time and talent with the community. We’d love to see some fresh faces join our committees – especially our Public Safety, Membership, and Transportation committees. CCA committees include Arts, Economic Development, Education, Marketing, Membership, Public Safety, Transportation, Social, Sustainability, and Volunteer. The CCA also oversees the Friends of Canton Dog Park & Friends O’Donnell Square, and partners with Canton Canopy, the Canton Anti-Racism Alliance, and the I Wonder Garden. (Details) To learn more, visit www.cantoncommunity.org/volunteer/ or please contact Amanda at volunteer@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.