October 2026

The Tourism

Business Bulletin

A Note

from Jodi

Pumpkins, Mazes and Caramel -- Oh My!

It’s October, and Harford County is ready for all things fall! It’s pick-your-own pumpkin season at local farms, many also with corn mazes, hayrides, and other fall fun to make a day of it. Be sure to check out our event calendar for even more seasonal happenings throughout the month.

And what would fall be without seasonal treats? Our Sweet Indulgences Trail is getting into the spirit with festive creations like caramel macarons from Flavor Cupcakery and Caramel Apple Fudge from Chocolate Moonshine Co., among the delicious creations waiting to be discovered.

With crisp fall air, changing leaves and plenty of reasons to go outdoors, October is a sweet time to fall in love with Harford County.

Send me an email at jmarschhauser@harfordcountymd.gov

443.981.9304

Jodi Marschhauser

Collaboration Corner

Tourism Ambassadors in Action

The power of collaboration was on full display at this year’s Maryland Italian Festival! Hello Harford and the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce once again shared a joint tourism tent, and we were thrilled to have tourism grant recipients, attraction representatives and community members join in to help staff the space throughout the three-day festival.

While the weather wasn’t quite as cooperative as we would have liked, with plenty of rain and wind throughout the weekend, our volunteers didn’t let it dampen their spirits! They showed up ready to welcome festivalgoers, share information and spread the word about all the great places to explore, events to attend and experiences to enjoy throughout Harford County.

This was a perfect example of what it means to be a tourism ambassador. When we share each other’s stories, we strengthen our collective voice and help visitors, and even our own residents, discover more of what Harford County has to offer.

Thank you to everyone who volunteered their time and represented Harford County tourism so well despite the weather. We look forward to creating more opportunities like this in the future!

Pro-tip of the Month

Do a Brand Consistency Check

Have you done a consistency check on your social media lately?

Pick one of your social media channels and scroll through your last several posts; But this time, look at them as a whole rather than individually. Do they feel like they came from the same brand? Are you consistently using the same fonts, colors, filters, photography style, and overall tone? Is it visually appealing as you scroll from one post to the next, or does your content feel disconnected?

Consistency helps build brand recognition. Over time, you want your audience to recognize your organization’s look and feel before they even stop to read the content.

So, take five minutes this month and look at your social media through the eyes of a visitor, and ask yourself: Does this look and feel like you?

Venue Spotlight

SpringHill Suites Edgewood/Aberdeen

There’s a lot to celebrate at SpringHill Suites Edgewood/Aberdeen! Recently completed renovations to guest rooms and common areas came just in time for another exciting milestone: the hotel’s 25th anniversary!

For a quarter century, SpringHill Suites has been welcoming visitors to Harford County, and we’re excited to see their continued investment in creating a great experience for our guests.

If you haven’t checked it out recently, it’s worth stopping by to see the transformation- or better yet, plan a staycation right here in Harford County and experience it for yourself!

Congratulations to the SpringHill Suites team on 25 years and a beautiful refresh!

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

Future Focus

Building Connections for Future Coverage

This month, Hello Harford attended the Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) Media Marketplace alongside the Maryland Office of Tourism and other Maryland destinations.

The event provided an opportunity to connect one-on-one with travel writers, journalists and content creators looking for new destinations and stories to feature.

These conversations are about more than promoting Harford County as a whole. They help us build relationships that can lead to future hosted visits, media coverage and collaborations that showcase our local hotels, restaurants, attractions, events and tourism businesses.

We’re planting the seeds now for future stories that give more people a reason to Say Hello to Harford!

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.

October Calendar of Events

Fun Fact

Did you know Harford County is a premier birding destination, with more than 250 species documented throughout the county?

Two noteworthy spots are Swan Harbor Farm along the Chesapeake Bay and Fisherman’s Park at Conowingo Dam, well known for its impressive bald eagle sightings.

With fall migration underway, October is a perfect time to grab your binoculars, get outside and discover our feathered visitors for yourself!

Want more? Check out Harford County’s feature in the Maryland Birdwatching Guide for a list of wonderful places to explore. Maryland_Digital_Birdwatching_Guide_2026.pdf