2025 Annual Report - Report - Page 34
Charles County Government Annual Report • 2025
NEW PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES
EXPLORE EXPERIENCES WITH
TOURISM
The Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism
expanded its seasonal offerings with new experiences alongside returning favorites — highlighting
the County as a destination for music, family fun,
and outdoor recreation.
Charles Count y Restaurant Week is a 10-day
culinar y celebration designed to showcase the
diverse dining scene of the County. Typically held
in mid-to-late January, the event serves as a community-driven initiative to support locally owned
small businesses.
Tourism continued to streng then
i t s par t ner ship w i t h Char le s
County Public Schools in 2025
through the expansion of the
second-grade field trip program at Stagg Hall. Tourism
hosted student visitors for
4 4 group field trips, welcoming 923 second-grade
students to experience
hands-on, curriculum-aligned
learning at the historic site. This
marks a significant increase from
24 school trips in 2024 and just nine in
2023, reflecting the growing demand for local history and heritage programming. The program not
only enriches classroom instruction but also
fosters early connections to Charles County’s
cultural assets, helping students develop a
deeper appreciation for their community.
A year-end tradition, the Charles County Holiday Tour is a collaborative open house event that allows visitors access to historic
properties and cultural venues decorated in festive, period-appropriate decor. Taking place annually during the first weekend
in December, the Holiday Tour showcases the County’s history
and heritage through entertaining and experiential programming.
The Department of Recreation, Parks, and Tourism efforts
reflect the County’s strategic commitment to tourism,
economic grow th, and communit y engagement.
These events and programming elevate Charles
Count y’s profile by at tracting regional and
national attention, supporting locally owned
businesses, and creating meaningful experiences for residents and visitors alike.
Hooked on the Potomac, launched in partnership with Major League Fishing and quickly
gained national attention. This two-day, family-friendly festival coincided with Major League
Fishing’s prestigious Bass Pro Tour. The event welcomed approximately 70 of the nation’s top
anglers to compete on
the Potomac River
— one of the countr y’s premier bass
f is h er ie s — w hile
at tendees watched
the action via live
stream and participated
in festival activities.
Through the EXPLORE CHARLES COUNTY series, Chief
of Tourism Ashley Chenault highlights the county’s commitment to fostering community connections by promoting
cultural and artistic experiences and elevating locally owned
and operated businesses. From local distilleries, restaurants, and shops, the series showcases the
unique offerings that define Charles County.
Watch at:
Youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKfJ608FjL_5PdXznZ60nnazWpII5lpsandsi=ht2LdmsU6h5FdTXo
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CharlesCountyMD.gov
