July 4 Travel+Gaylord National Resort Reopens+Black Hair Exhibit

Up and at 'em, Laurel! Let's get this Friday, July 2 started.

First, today's weather: Rain in the morning. High: 80 Low: 60.

Here are the top four stories in Laurel today:

1. Overnight, purses in Maryland will increase 15% across the board for the remainder of 2021, effective July 2 with the next date of racing at Pimlico Race Course, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (MTHA) announced June 30. The MTHA board of directors unanimously approved the increase during its June 29 meeting, seeking to establish a level that could be sustained through the end of the year. Turf racing is scheduled to resume at Pimlico Friday. (BloodHorse.com)
2. According to Patch reporter Jacob Baumgart, nearly 48 million people are expected to travel over the 4th of July holiday weekend. American Automobile Association (AAA) predicts the country could see the second-highest Independence Day travel volume on record, a huge contrast to last year when the pandemic prompted a nearly 40 percent reduction in travelers. A record 43.6 million Americans will drive to their destinations, accounting for 91 percent of all travelers. Another 3.5 million will fly, a 164 percent increase from last year. (Patch)
3. After being closed for a year due to the pandemic, the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center at National Harbor in Prince George’s County, is reopening its doors. Employees at the 1,996-room hotel are known as “stars.” Jennifer Cerasani, director of marketing and public relations for the resort, said she couldn’t provide an exact number but they can employ up to 2,000 stars depending on the season. Gaylord National is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on mask-wearing. Visitors who have not been vaccinated to wear masks, while those who have been vaccinated won’t be required to wear masks. (WTOP)
4. A new pop-up art exhibit “The Black Hair Experience" at National Harbor celebrates Black beauty and culture in the social media age. Elizabeth Austin, creator of this exhibit, said the whole premise of the experience is to really further the message that all Black hair is beautiful. As conversations around race and social justice continue in the wake of George Floyd’s murder last year, Austin said she hopes this year the exhibit will take on new meaning as it provides a reminder of the importance of self-love. Tickets to “The Black Hair Experience” are available online. The museum is open Thursdays through Sundays from now until May 2022. (WTOP)

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Today in Laurel

• Towne Centre Laurel — Attend this event every Thursday in July and August for our annual Summer Concert Series! July 1 will feature Harlem and the Heartbeats! (7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)
• AcoustiCafe Band — AcoustiCafe is back for some summer fun at the American Legion Post 60 in Laurel! Enjoy eating food while listening to acoustic Rock, Folk and Country classics in the American Legion Lounge the company of our Country's heroic veterans. (7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.)
• Laurel Dutch Country Farmers Market – Located at 9701 Fort Meade Road (8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.)
• Letterfly Pinstriping at Old Glory Harley-Davidson – Enjoy watching the hand-painted designs come to life as the artist (Letterfly) plies his special skills as pinstripe, pictorial, and lettering artist on motorcycles and helmets. This event will take place outdoors and will obey appropriate safety precautions, distancing, masks, etc. No ticket or reservation needed. (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)

Laurel Patch Notebook

• Lost & Found Pets of PG County Md: "FOUND BEARDED DRAGON - HYATTSVILLE, MD Working to get additional details. Anyone missing a bearded dragon in the Hyat..." (Facebook)

From our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Events:

• WaterKeepers Chesapeake Concert (July 3)
• Xtreme Hip Hop with Dréa (July 8)
• Parents Night Out: Pajama Painting Party (July 16)

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Friday. I'll see you around!

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm a Bowie area resident with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Laurel Daily? Email all inquiries to me at Laurel@Patch.com.