Originally published September 1, 2026.
Laurel, this is Fresh This Month.
A monthly newsletter. Straight to the point. Every issue covers the things that are actually happening in your community:
- Local events worth your time
- New spots to eat in the DMV
- Who's hiring and how to get in
- What's going on in Laurel
September starts with Labor Day weekend and does not slow down. There is a free concert featuring Too Much Talent Band at Granville Gude Park, the 14th annual Emancipation Day 5K run and walk, Community and Culture Day, and Clyopatra Winery, whose Laurel tasting room is open while its major expansion takes shape.
Fall recreation registration is open in both Howard and Prince George's counties, so check the available programs and claim your spots before they fill.
Let's get into it.
Sponsored
Laurel News
What's Poppin' in Laurel
Laurel Farmers Market Is a National Top 10 Finalist. Vote by September 30.
The Laurel Farmers Market has placed in the national top 10 in America's Farmers Market Celebration, and the final standings are determined by public vote. A total of $15,000 will be awarded among the top 10 markets, with $2,500 going to the first-place winner.
Voting is open at markets.farmland.org until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, September 30. It takes only about a minute to vote, and this is our market!
If you haven't visited yet, the Laurel Farmers Market is open Thursdays from 3 to 7 p.m. at 378 Main Street through October 29.
Know Your September School Closures. They Differ by County.
Prince George's County students have three days off: Labor Day on Monday, September 7; a professional development day with no school for students on Wednesday, September 16; and Yom Kippur on Monday, September 21.
Howard County students have two days off: Labor Day on Monday, September 7, and Yom Kippur on Monday, September 21. Schools and offices are closed on both dates.
The key difference is Wednesday, September 16, which is a Prince George's County-only closure. Working parents should make childcare arrangements now rather than the night before.
Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15–October 15
The monthlong celebration begins in mid-September, and one nearby way to join in is at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. The ¡Celebramos! event runs Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is included with regular zoo admission. Enjoy music, food and family activities, along with a full day at the zoo.
Things To Do
Events
Too Much Talent Band Performs FREE
Enjoy an evening of hip-hop, R&B, pop, soul, funk and jazz with the Too Much Talent Band at Granville Gude Park on Thursday, September 3, from 7 to 9 p.m. The outdoor concert is free and open to everyone. Bring a lawn chair and settle in for a lively evening of music with friends, family and neighbors. City of Laurel event details
Laurel Run Club x Sky Vibe
Laurel Run Club is teaming up with Sky Vibe on Saturday, September 5, for a community run at the lake. All paces are welcome, walkers and strollers included. Meet-up begins at 8:45 a.m., followed by announcements at 8:55, stretching at 9:05 and the run at 9:15. Most participants will finish by 10:15.
Afterward, the group will head to Sky Vibe, 352 Main Street, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Show your RSVP confirmation to receive run-club specials at the bar. More than 100 people have already signed up, so reserve your spot here.
Laurel Community and Culture Day
Celebrate Laurel's diversity with live performances, food trucks, local artisans and a Parade of Flags representing the many countries and cultures that make up our community. Admission is free. To have your country's flag included in the parade, email [email protected] in advance, or simply come out and enjoy the festivities. View details and RSVP.
Emancipation Day 5K
The 14th annual Emancipation Day 5K takes runners and walkers through historic Laurel while benefiting the University of Maryland Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology–Midtown. Registration is $28.45 for the 5K run or walk and $23.16 for the one-mile fun walk, including fees. Prices increase after 11:59 p.m. on September 4, so register by the night before to secure the current rate. Bring the family and choose the distance that works for you. Register here.
DC JazzFest 2026
This year's theme is "The Future of Jazz: America's Next 250 Years." The five-day festival brings acclaimed performers, emerging artists and local talent to venues across the city before culminating with waterfront performances at The Wharf on September 5 and 6. Programming includes both free and ticketed events, so check the schedule before heading out. Bring the kids on Saturday or Sunday: DC Jazz Bops! is a free interactive concert for children at 11 a.m. both mornings at The Wharf's M Street Landing. View the lineup, schedule and ticket information.
Who's In Town?
YG: The Gentlemen's Club Tour, Featuring Mozzy
YG brings the Gentlemen's Club Tour to Silver Spring with fellow West Coast rapper Mozzy. It is one of the closest big-name rap shows to Laurel this month, and The Fillmore offers a more intimate concert experience than a large arena. View details and buy tickets.
The Roots, with Junkyard Band
Widely regarded as one of hip-hop's best live acts, The Roots bring their signature blend of live instrumentation, sharp lyricism, jazz and funk to National Harbor. They will be joined by D.C. go-go legends Junkyard Band, a perfect DMV pairing for a high-energy night of live music. View details and buy tickets.
Shaboozey: Outlaws Never Die Tour
Shaboozey closes out the month at The Anthem with his genre-blending mix of country, hip-hop, rock and Americana. Singer-songwriter Noeline Hofmann opens. If you have only heard his radio hits, the live show offers a chance to experience the full range of his sound. View details and buy tickets.
Jay Pharoah
Former Saturday Night Live cast member and master impressionist Jay Pharoah headlines six shows across four nights at the DC Improv. Performances are scheduled for Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday at 7:30 and 9:45 p.m.; Saturday at 7 and 9:30 p.m.; and Sunday at 7 p.m. General admission is $39.95, including service charges. View details and buy tickets.
Dave Attell
Stand-up veteran Dave Attell brings his rapid-fire jokes and unapologetically adult humor to the DC Improv for six shows across four nights. Best known for Comedy Central's Insomniac and his Netflix special Hot Cross Buns, Attell is late-night club comedy at its sharpest. Tickets start at $50.50, including service charges, and availability is limited. View showtimes and buy tickets.
Take It Personal: The Hip-Hop Improv Show
DJ and comedian Cipha Sounds brings hip-hop and improv together as a cast of comedians turns stories from audience members and special guests into scenes created entirely on the spot. No script, no rehearsal, all freestyle. General admission is $20.50. Guests must be 18 or older, and the venue has a two-item minimum. View details and buy tickets.
Seasonal Feature
Labor Day, and What It Is Actually For
Monday, September 7, is Labor Day. Most of us treat it as the last cookout of summer, and that is fine, but the holiday has a deeper purpose. Rooted in the late-19th-century labor movement, Labor Day recognizes the social and economic achievements of American workers. Congress made the first Monday in September a federal holiday in 1894, following years of organizing for better wages, reasonable hours and safer working conditions. Those issues have not disappeared. Whether you work with your hands, work weekends, run your own business or report to someone else, this day recognizes your contribution. Learn more about Labor Day's history.
Two nearby celebrations carry on the holiday's tradition of parades, festivals and community gatherings.
Greenbelt Labor Day Festival FREE
One of Maryland's largest volunteer-organized events returns with free admission and entertainment, plus a carnival, food trucks, live music, arts, a pet show and a used-book sale. The 70th annual parade begins at 10 a.m. Monday. Free shuttles serve several nearby parking areas, but note that Metrorail service will not operate between Hyattsville Crossing and Greenbelt during the holiday weekend. Carnival rides and food cost extra. View the complete festival schedule.
Gaithersburg's 88th Annual Labor Day Parade
Gaithersburg continues an 88-year tradition with high school marching bands, dance groups, costumed characters, antique cars, fire engines and community organizations making their way through Olde Towne. It is a classic community parade and an easy way to make a morning of the holiday. View parade details.
Sponsored
New Eats
Eat Something New
It is a thin month for new openings close to home, so we are not padding the list. Here are six spots worth your time, including one right on Route 1.
Pho Viet 75 New in Laurel
Main Street picked up a Vietnamese kitchen, in the building that used to hold the Napa store. The menu is pho in the full range of cuts, bánh mì, rice and noodle combos, egg rolls and Vietnamese iced coffee. It is the closest new spot to home in this issue, and walkable if you are already downtown. Go grab a bowl before the rest of the neighborhood catches on. phoviet75.com
Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard Black-Owned
You do not have to wait for the new development to support it. Clyopatra's tasting room at 24 C Street in Laurel is already open, pouring handcrafted small-batch wines from Maryland's first African immigrant-owned winery. Reservations and walk-ins are both welcome, and the winery runs regular tastings plus ticketed event nights like Sip and Paint. Make a reservation.
Red Crab House
This is the place for a hands-on seafood boil without leaving Laurel. Choose your seafood, seasoning and heat level, or keep things simple with fried shrimp, catfish, oysters or crab cakes. It is casual, messy and built for sharing with a group. View the menu.
Chido's Tex-Mex Grill
A Laurel standby since 2016, Chido's covers the full Tex-Mex spread: tacos, fajitas, enchiladas, burritos, seafood dishes and strong cocktails. The large menu makes it an easy choice when everyone at the table wants something different, and weekend brunch adds another reason to go. View the menu and hours.
Restaurant 198 (Burtonsville)
Restaurant 198 is an all-day neighborhood restaurant with burgers, wings, sandwiches, breakfast dishes, plant-based options and an unapologetically fun dessert menu. Live acoustic music runs throughout the week, with jazz on Sundays. It is close enough for an easy dinner but different enough to feel like you went somewhere. View the menu and music schedule.
Remington's of Beltsville
Remington's is a proper local sports bar with house-ground burgers, jumbo wings, cheesesteaks, pizza and a full cocktail menu. It stays open late and works equally well for catching a game, meeting friends or getting a substantial meal after most kitchens have closed. View the menu.
For the Parents
Family Playbook
Featured
If Your Child Rides a PGCPS Bus, Read This First
The first week did not go well. Roughly 10,000 students started school without assigned bus routes, the new Chipmunk transportation app failed on opening morning, and some buses ran more than 45 minutes late. PGCPS now says the original 10,000-student backlog has been cleared, but routes will continue to be adjusted during the first three to four weeks of school. Read the district's latest update.
Families who registered after the July 31 deadline should follow this assignment schedule:
- Registered August 10–14: Assignment by August 31
- Registered August 17–21: Assignment by September 10
- Registered August 25–28: Assignment by September 21
Check ParentVUE or the Chipmunk app for your child's official route, stop and pickup time. If an assignment has not appeared, use BusPlanner Web to find the closest eligible temporary stop. The district recommends arriving 10 minutes early and allowing for delays while routes stabilize. For missing or incorrect assignments, submitting an online transportation help ticket is the fastest way to reach a specialist. View PGCPS transportation guidance.
No More Open YouTube Browsing on Elementary Chromebooks
Starting this school year, PGCPS elementary students can no longer browse YouTube independently on school-issued Chromebooks. Teachers can still share specific educational videos, so YouTube is not completely blocked. The open feed is. Chromebooks must also remain closed during recess, lunch, transitions and other unstructured periods, and recreational streaming can no longer be used as a classroom reward. The new rules currently focus on elementary schools, while the district continues studying broader screen-time limits. For parents already fighting the screen-time battle at home, the school system has taken one variable off the table. Read the PGCPS balanced-instruction guidance.
On the Calendar
DMV Girls Hockey Weekend FREE
The Washington Capitals, MSE Foundation and local youth hockey organizations are offering free introductory sessions at 18 rinks across Maryland and Virginia. The Tri-City Eagles will host Laurel's session at The Gardens Ice House on Saturday, September 12, giving local families a chance to try the sport close to home. Required equipment is loaned for the one- to two-hour session, although gear requirements vary by rink. View locations and register.
Kids Read with MakeSmartCool
MakeSmartCool combines books, games and hands-on activities to help young readers strengthen their language skills and build confidence. Space is limited to 20 children, and advance registration is required. The branch is outside Laurel, so allow time for the drive. View details and register.
Maryland State Fair: Final Weekend
This is your last chance to catch the Maryland State Fair. The final weekend brings carnival rides, livestock barns, 4-H competitions, animal exhibits and plenty of fair food. Guests under 18 must enter with an adult age 21 or older. If you have been meaning to go, this is the deadline. View hours and schedules.
Dinosaur Park Open House FREE
Search real fossil beds where dinosaur bones have been discovered, then bring your finds to the park's paleontologists to learn what you uncovered. It is free, open to all ages and requires no reservation. Wear closed-toe shoes and leave the digging tools at home. Fossils are collected from the surface only. One of the most under-the-radar free experiences in Laurel. Plan your visit.
Registration Open Now
Howard County Fall Recreation Registration Is Open
Howard County Recreation and Parks is registering now for fall classes, sports and youth programs, but availability varies and popular programs fill quickly. Search the online activity catalog or call 410-313-7275 to find out what still has space before making plans.
PG Parks Fall Registration Is Open
PG Parks is registering now for fall classes and programs, including flag football, cheerleading and soccer skills. Ages, dates and locations vary, and some sections fill quickly, so check the listing carefully before promising your child a spot. Browse the 2026 Fall Guide and register through PARKS DIRECT.
Local Economy
Economy Pulse
A Billion-Dollar Venue Is on the Table at National Harbor
Sphere Entertainment is proposing a $1 billion-plus venue on more than 14 acres beside MGM National Harbor. Current plans call for a 302-foot-tall building with roughly 6,000 seats. Project estimates cited by the Prince George's County Economic Development Corporation put its potential annual economic impact above $1 billion, with approximately 2,500 construction jobs and 4,750 permanent operational jobs. Read the project overview.
Here is what matters locally: the Sphere is still proposed and working through the county's approval and permitting process. The company hopes to open it within four years, but there is no firm opening date. If it moves forward, the county expects opportunities across construction, hospitality, food service, retail, logistics, technology and creative and event services. If you work in one of those fields, start watching county workforce and procurement announcements now, not after the hiring wave makes the news.
Jobs & Opportunities
Get That Bag
Entry Level/Government Jobs
- Laurel Police Officer, City of Laurel · Starting salary $70,269 plus sign-on bonus · Open recruitment · Apply
- Library of Congress, Administrative Specialist · Starting salary $70,623 · Applications close September 10 · Hybrid · Apply
- Library of Congress, Desk Attendant · Starting salary $41,659 · Applications close September 10 · Apply
- Washington Commanders, Maintenance Technician · Starting salary $62,400 · Overtime available · Apply
- Amtrak, Usher/Gateman & Clerks · Starting salary $58,775 · Apply
- General Clerk I, PG County Board of Elections · $16/hr · Temporary · Apply
Retail, Food Service and Customer-Facing
- Ulta, Beauty Advisor & Task Associate · Baltimore Ave, Laurel · $17–$25/hr · Apply
- Old Navy, Retail Sales Associate · Town Centre, Laurel · $15.50–$16/hr · Part-time · Apply
- ALDI, Store Manager Trainee · Multiple locations · $29.50/hr · Full-time · National Hiring Week runs from September 14 to 20 · Apply
- Wawa, Customer Service Associate · Laurel · $17–$21.25/hr · Part-time · Apply
- Olive Garden, To Go Specialist · Laurel · $3.63/hr + tips · Apply
- Aramark, multiple positions · Laurel Park · Apply
- CaribeExpress, Restaurant Team Members · Main Street, Laurel · Apply
Non-Profit, Healthcare and Professional
- Luminis Health, Patient Access Associate · $17.50–$24/hr · Full-time · Doctors Community Medical Center, Lanham · Apply
- Luminis Health, Clinical Escort Assistant · $17.50–$19/hr · Full-time/overnight · Doctors Community Medical Center, Lanham · Apply
- The Arc Prince George's County, Community Integration Specialist · Laurel · $19.17–$20.32/hr · Full-time · Apply
- Johns Hopkins APL, Group Administrative Assistant · Laurel · $24.25–$44.30/hr · Full-time · Apply
- Johns Hopkins APL, Paralegal · Laurel · $30.40–$63.40/hr · Full-time · Apply
Job Fairs This Month
- CFG Bank Arena · Thursday, September 10 · 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. · Multiple positions · Fearless Club @ CFG Bank Arena · Details
- Mix + Mingle Coffee Lounge · Saturday, September 12 · 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. · Servers, bartenders, baristas, line cook and FOH manager · 8923 Woodyard Road, Clinton · Apply
- Career and Network Expo · Saturday, September 12 · 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. · Zion Church, Greenbelt · Details
- Fort Meade Community Job Fair · Wednesday, September 16 · 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. · Club Meade, Fort Meade · Details
- Montgomery County Career and Resource Fair · Thursday, September 24 · noon to 2 p.m. · East County Community Center, Silver Spring · Details
Job Boards
- Howard County Government Careers · howardcountymd.gov/careers
- State of Maryland Jobs · jobapscloud.com/MD
- USAJobs, filter for Maryland · usajobs.gov
- Indeed, Laurel MD · indeed.com
- Prince George's County Careers · princegeorgescountymd.gov
- City of Laurel Job Board · cityoflaurel.org/179
Learn a Trade
Maryland Is Putting Millions Behind Apprenticeships
Maryland's Apprenticeship Incentive Program gives registered apprenticeship sponsors and employers another reason to hire and train: reimbursement of up to $3,000 for each newly registered adult apprentice and up to $7,500 for each high-school-level apprentice. Applications remain open until funding runs out, although employers must meet registration and retention requirements.
A separate $5 million round announced in July went to nine organizations, including Prince George's Community College and the University of Maryland, to create or expand apprenticeship programs. Together, the projects are expected to recruit nearly 150 employers and add more than 650 apprentices in fields including healthcare, information technology, manufacturing, logistics and early-childhood education.
If you have been considering a trade or another earn-while-you-learn career, start looking now. An eligible employer may qualify for help covering your training, but the money is not paid directly to the apprentice and it is not automatic. Walk in knowing the program exists, and ask whether the employer participates.
Local Government
Town Hall
City Council Meetings
- Wednesday, September 2 at 6 PM: Work session
- Monday, September 14 at 6 PM: Regular meeting
- Monday, September 28 at 6 PM: Regular meeting
Work sessions are generally where council members discuss upcoming legislation and other city business before taking action at a regular meeting. Agendas, supporting documents, attendance links and schedule changes are posted on the city's meeting portal.
Planning Commission Hearing
The Planning Commission's docket includes proposed citywide rules for accessory dwelling units, forest conservation and implementation of Maryland's Housing Certainty Act. Commissioners are also expected to consider an amended site and landscape plan for 7306 Contee Road and an extension request involving 6902 Contee Road, although supporting details for those two properties have not yet been posted. These decisions can shape what gets built, and where, so residents should review the pending applications or call 301-725-5300 before the meeting for the latest agenda and attendance information.
Registration Open: 20 Seats for Fall Laurel Citizens University
Mayor Keith R. Sydnor's free program takes residents and business owners inside Laurel government through presentations, discussions and facility tours covering city operations, technology, budgeting, emergency management, public safety and community services. Sessions run Thursday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., October 1 through November 19, followed by graduation on November 23. Materials, a class photo, diploma and graduation ceremony are included.
The program accepts only 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must be City of Laurel residents or business owners, be at least a high school senior and not hold or be seeking elected office during the program. The city has not said how many seats remain, so apply now. Contact Carreen Koubek at 301-725-5300, ext. 2109, or [email protected]. View the full schedule.
Fresh Out.
That is Issue #05 of Fresh This Month.
A free concert in the park, Labor Day festivals in Greenbelt and Gaithersburg, a venue proposed at National Harbor, new state money behind apprenticeships, and a Farmers Market that needs your vote. That's what's going on in our community right now.
Who in Laurel deserves next month's spotlight? Drop a comment below and tell me. It comes straight to me.
If someone in your circle should be reading this, forward it. Signup is open at tcutme.com.
Talk about this issue