June 2026

The Tourism

Business Bulletin

A Note

from Jodi

June is blooming with experiences across Harford County! From the calming beauty of lavender season to incredible live music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this month. We’re excited to welcome Lisa’s Lavender Farm as Harford County’s third lavender destination, joining Hidden Hippie Lavender Farm and Purple Rain Lavender Farm as must-visit stops.

Music lovers can also enjoy exciting lineups at the Tower Rock Festival, Harmony Woods, and the Upper Bay Juneteenth Festival happening throughout June.

Thank you for your continued support and hospitality in helping keep Harford County a vibrant and welcoming place to explore as we kick off the summer.

See you soon!

Send me an email at jmarschhauser@harfordcountymd.gov

443.981.9304

Jodi Marschhauser

Collaboration Corner

First Annual Tourism Luncheon

In May, Hello Harford hosted its first annual Tourism Stakeholders Luncheon at the newly renovated Chesapeake Welcome center at Harford Community College. The event brought together tourism-related business owners, hoteliers, event organizers, attraction leaders, and nonprofit directors to reflect on the accomplishments of the past year and look ahead to future initiatives.

During the event, we shared how tourism continues to grow in Harford County, welcoming 3.9 million visitors from outside our county borders over the past 12 months. We also highlighted the technology tools and resources being used to support stakeholders, including visitor analytics through Placer.ai, the Let’s Rallie event app, collaborative marketing efforts, and expanded outreach promoting Harford County beyond our borders.

A panel discussion led by Monica Worell, chair of the Economic Development Advisory Board, featured industry representatives including Mike Patel, a local hotelier; Jon Bellantoni, an event organizer; Maryland 250 Commission representative Michele Johnson; and me, representing Hello Harford. The discussion provided valuable insight into industry trends, challenges, and opportunities and reinforced the importance of collaboration, innovation, and community partnerships in continuing to grow Harford County tourism.

Most importantly, the event encouraged stakeholders to connect with one another, share ideas, and strengthen relationships in the tourism industry. Thank you to everyone who participated and for continuing to help make Harford County a vibrant and welcoming destination.

Pro-tip of the Month

Cross-Collaborate to build your Business

Cross collaborating with other tourism entities helps build business for everyone by creating a better experience for visitors. Staying up to date with our local events calendar will help you become a knowledgeable resource for your customers and guests.

When visitors stop by, ask what else they plan to do while they’re here. Use the Hello Harford website as a resource and don’t hesitate to recommend other local attractions, restaurants, parks, shops, and experiences. The more connected and informed visitors feel, the longer they stay, the more they explore, and the more likely they are to return - a win for all of us.

Venue Spotlight

The Pickle Factory in Bel Air

Have you checked out Harford County’s newest indoor pickleball destination? Located on Churchville Road in Bel Air, the Pickle Factory features nine climate-controlled courts, a full bar and lounge area, and a growing community of more than 1,600 members. As tournament play continues to expand, the facility is drawing visitors from across the region while creating a fun and energetic atmosphere for players of all skill levels.

The Pickle Factory also offers a free intro class for the community, making it easy to see for yourself what all the excitement is about.

For more information on free INTRO class, check out this offer- Free-INTRO-Class

Does your business have an update? Send us an email!

Future Focus

Financial Support for Tourism

Our FY27 tourism grant application portal received a record-breaking 34 submissions from local nonprofits this year. The portal has officially closed, and the next step is a review by the Economic Development Advisory Board Committee, with award announcements expected later this month. These grants are designed to help elevate marketing efforts, strengthen operations, and support initiatives that attract visitors from outside Harford County.

The strong response highlights not only the incredible tourism assets we have throughout the county, but also the growing need for support among our tourism-related nonprofits and event organizers across the county.

If you own a for-profit business and are interested in sponsoring tourism events or partnering in other ways, we can help make those connections. Working together helps strengthen the visitor experience and supports the continued growth of tourism countywide.

Reminder: Sign Up for Greater Exposure

Keep submitting your events and new tourism related business openings through our portal! Our events calendar is a key promotional tool across Hello Harford marketing efforts, media opportunities, hotel partnerships, and advertising campaigns. Since our website serves as the call to action for much of our advertising, having your events and businesses listed helps maximize visibility and exposure for your business and events.

June Calendar of Events

Fun Fact

Did you know that Harford County has more than 2,700 lodging rooms? This inventory plays a major role in helping us host large youth sports tournaments, weddings, meetings, conferences, and special events. Keep on being an ambassador for Harford County and help spread the word that our community is ready to welcome groups of all sizes.