Call for Artists: Design the City's Freedom 250 Poster
Frederick, MD · September 20, 2026
A light morning mist is settling across the foothills, but the midway rides and Sunday walks are moving right on schedule.
The Lead
The City of Frederick is seeking proposals from local artists to design an official commemorative poster celebrating the nation's upcoming semiquincentennial. Run in partnership with the U.S. Conference of Mayors and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Freedom 250 City Art Poster Project invites city residents to submit original artwork capturing the community's distinctive spirit and heritage.
The selected creator will receive a $500 honorarium, have their work hung inside City Hall, and represent the municipality at the U.S. Conference of Mayors' 95th Winter Meeting in Washington, D.C., this January. Submissions are open to all visual artists living within city limits, whether working in illustration, painting, printmaking, or digital design. Interested artists must submit concept files and project narratives through the city's online portal by Sunday, October 4, at 11:59 p.m. A municipal panel will evaluate entries on artistic excellence, community storytelling, and print reproduction quality.
Local Pulse
City Flags Lowered for Former Alderman Phillips City Hall Municipal flags fly at half-staff through sunset today honoring the two-term alderman who passed away at age 84.
Planning Commission Reviews Emerging Industrial Rules City Hall Commissioners hold an afternoon workshop Monday to examine zoning guidelines governing data centers and campus technology parks.
Mezzanine Installation Honors Segregated Theater History Community A permanent interpretive exhibit documenting the venue’s segregated balcony era debuts ahead of the centennial season next month.
Today's Outlook
- High 81°F · Low 68°F — Drizzle (39% chance of precipitation)
- Keep a light rain shell handy for intermittent drizzle between warm outdoor errands.
What's On Around Town
Today
Family Yoga in the Park Baker Park, 9:30–10:15 AM · Free Gentle morning movement on the lawn for kids and parents alike.
Downtown Walking Tour: One Vast Hospital National Museum of Civil War Medicine (48 E Patrick St), Noon–1:30 PM · Paid Guided walking tour exploring downtown buildings that cared for wounded soldiers.
International Day of Peace Gathering Grace United Church of Christ (25 E 2nd St), 2:00–5:30 PM · Free Reflections, music, and community connection across local faith traditions.
Sunday Afternoon Salsa Dancing William R. Talley Recreation Center (121 N Bentz St), 4:00–5:00 PM · Paid Beginner footwork and partner turns to close out the weekend.
Neal McCoy with Mark Wills The Great Frederick Fair (797 E Patrick St), 6:30 PM · $25–$205 Classic country anthems live under the fairgrounds grandstand.
Tomorrow
- FCC Student Involvement Fair Student Center (7932 Opossumtown Pike), 11:00 AM–1:00 PM · Free
- Planning Commission Workshop City Hall (101 N Court St), 2:00–6:00 PM · Free
- Tractor & Truck Pull The Great Frederick Fair (797 E Patrick St), 6:00 PM · $21–$26
Tuesday
- Read, Make, Play! Storytime William R. Talley Recreation Center (121 N Bentz St), 10:30–11:30 AM · $3–6
- Demolition Derby: Cars The Great Frederick Fair (797 E Patrick St), 7:00 PM · $21–$26
Spotlight & Story
- Frederick Woman's Civic Club
- When the 1807 Steiner House faced demolition in 1962 to make way for a downtown gas station, members rallied to purchase the landmark for $13,000, preserving Stephen Steiner's delicate pineapple-trimmed doorway for another century of civic service.
Frederick Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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